We were joined by more around 250 colleagues from around the country on Friday 15 September to discuss the library's role in providing support for students on AI.

The conversation was chaired by Anna O'Neill, Chair of the SCONUL Technology and Markets Group and University Librarian, University of Warwick and we heard from Jennie Blake, Learning Development Manager, University of Manchester (jennie.blake@manchester.ac.uk) ; Mark Hughes, Head of Libraries, Cardiff Metropolitan University (mjhughes@cardiffmet.ac.uk); and Mike Jones, Information Librarian, Solent University (mike.jones@solent.ac.uk).

Jennie talked about Manchester's approach which put the library at the centre of the University's conversation about use, policy and support for AI, and which is seeking to ensure that support for students is consistent and positive. The aim is to ensure that students feel confident in their use of these tools and to support critical analysis of outputs and the tools themselves. The library has positioned itself as the key source of correct practice and advice on the use of AI within the institution (for example as the place to come for advice on correct referencing in the use of AI tools) and has used its pedagogical clout to ensure that the approach is inclusive and that the support is applicable to the widest possible cohort of students.  

Mark Hughes noted that at Cardiff Met, as at Manchester, the library got in very early to ensure that it was central to the a university wide conversation and to the development of its approach.  The library has worked very closely with the head of digital learning to produce guidance for lecturers to discuss AI with students on their course, including providing a slide deck which covers where AI fits with academic regulations and use cases for study.  Lecturers can refer students to the library if there are difficulties.  The library's academic skills team covers AI within their teaching materials, covering plagiarism, referencing, academic writing and criticality among other things. AI is also being included in information literacy training. There has been a focus on develop staff awareness and understanding at Cardiff Met and there is a university-wide group, "Embracing AI", to help cohere the approach which includes representation from the library.  Within the library there an active community of practice group which meets regularly. Funding has been put aside for training and to support event attendance. 

Mike Jones discussed Solent's approach to supporting students noting that many are unaware of where to start and unaware of the limitations of the tools on offer.  The library is offering a skills-based approach - rather than focusing on how to use tools the emphasis is on developing the necessary literacies (e.g. effective prompts).  They are also encouraging critical engagement with the information generated and the understanding that outputs should be a jumping off point for further work - how can students take the information generated and use it, including questions of academic integrity.   As with Manchester and Cardiff Met, the library is being positioned as key and as best placed to deliver the advice and skills development that students need.

These resources provide a rich source of information on what is happening across the sector on:

• Libraries' approaches to student information and advice on the use of AI including information literacy training, referencing and other forms of support
• How libraries are positioning themselves in the institutional conversations on the use of AI in teaching and learning and bringing their skills and knowledge to bear on the development of policy
• The range of AI being used across institutions
• The different ways that libraries are ensuring that colleagues within and beyond the library are informed and confident about AI and its uses
• The impact of generative AI compared to other tools
• Building business cases for funding for AI tools for students
• Approaches to requirements for referencing AI.

AI and Library Support for Students - Further resources

AI and Library Support for Students - Chat transcript