Integration of AI Tools for Library Reader Services Delivery

 

Integration of AI Tools for Library Reader Services Delivery, Workshop Facilitated by Dr Azeez Adeoye at Nigeria Library Association, Osun State Chapter, 2024 OGM/AGM and Workshop held at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State.

Introduction

Libraries have evolved significantly over the centuries, embracing new technologies to enhance service delivery. From ancient artefacts such as papyrus and clay tablets to the integration of modern computers, libraries have consistently adapted to meet the information needs of their users. Today, the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities for libraries to transform their services further.

A library is a systematically organised collection of information resources curated by professional librarians for the use of a targeted audience. Libraries are broadly divided into two main sections:

1. Technical Section
2. Reader Services Section

Technical Section

The Technical Section encompasses activities that occur behind the scenes. Often, library users are unaware of the roles and contributions of librarians working in this section. However, these activities form the backbone of library operations.

• This "behind-the-scenes" section focuses on acquiring, organising, and maintaining resources.
• Activities include cataloguing, classification, acquisition, and binding.
• AI applications in this section often require advanced programming and technical expertise, making this area more suited to IT professionals for AI integration.

 Librarians in this section specialise in tasks such as classifying and cataloguing resources to ensure easy retrieval of information. Departments in this section (which vary depending on the library) may include:

1. Acquisition Section: Responsible for procuring resources.
2. Cataloguing and Classification Section: Focuses on organising materials for efficient access.
3. Bindery Unit: Handles the repair and binding of library materials.
4. Serials Section: Manages journals, periodicals, and other serial publications.

Although this section can benefit from AI integration, it often requires a deep understanding of computer programming and technical coding skills to implement AI effectively. Therefore, the design and development of necessary AI facilities for this section may rely heavily on IT professionals and computer specialists.

This workshop focuses on the integration of AI tools in Reader Services, which bridges library resources and users. The Reader Services Section serves as the interface where librarians directly engage with patrons, offering support, resources, and guidance. Reader Services Section:

• This section directly interacts with users, facilitating access to resources and providing various services.
• Key services include reference support, bibliographic compilations, user education, and document delivery.
• The focus of this workshop is on integrating AI tools into these services to improve efficiency and user satisfaction.

Role of AI in Library Reader Services Delivery

AI tools bring a wealth of opportunities to libraries by automating routine tasks, enhancing user engagement, and improving the efficiency of service delivery. AI in libraries has evolved alongside technological advancements, such as:

• Digital Transformation: From print to electronic resources.
• Smart Libraries: Incorporating IoT, cloud computing, and AI-driven platforms.

The ultimate potential of AI is evident in its ability to perform tasks such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving—critical functions that align with the needs of modern libraries.

Libraries have evolved far beyond being mere reading halls; they now serve as smart corners, makerspaces, and hubs for human development. This transformation reflects their dynamic adaptation to technological and societal changes.

Libraries are often pioneers in adopting innovations, with history documenting their evolution from using artefacts such as tree bark, bones, silk, animal skins, parchments, papyrus, and clay tablets, to the groundbreaking discovery of paper—one of humanity’s most enduring inventions. Over time, libraries have continued to embrace technological advancements.

The 18th century brought the advent of mainframe computers, which later evolved into desktop computers, laptops, tablets, handheld devices, and more advanced processors. Innovations like DOS prompts, graphical user interfaces, voice prompts, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices, and even smart cities have all contributed to shaping modern libraries. The latest frontier in this journey is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

One ultimate goal of AI is achieving singularity, where machines could potentially develop and repair themselves, functioning independently of humans. Whether this will become a reality remains uncertain, but what is clear is that we now have machines capable of reasoning similarly to humans. This intelligence is what we call Artificial Intelligence.

As librarians, we cannot afford to distance ourselves from leveraging AI tools to enhance our professional service delivery. Librarianship is fundamentally a people-centred profession—a service-oriented, socially impactful role focused on meeting users' needs. Therefore, the question arises: What AI tools can we use in library reader service delivery?

This includes identifying tools, their URLs, features, and the specific reader services they can support. Libraries must embrace AI to remain relevant, efficient, and impactful in meeting the evolving needs of their users.

Services in the Reader Services Section

Key services offered by the Reader Services Section include:

1. Reference Services: Offering synchronous and asynchronous support.
2. Research Advisory Support: Assisting users with literature reviews, citations, and research methodologies.
3. Translation Services: Breaking language barriers using tools like Google Translate.
4. Document Delivery: Providing users with requested materials in digital or physical formats.
5. User Education: Organising orientation programmes and workshops on resource utilisation.
6. Bibliographic Compilations: Creating resource lists tailored to user needs.
7. Bibliotherapy Services: Recommending resources for therapeutic purposes.
8. Library Exhibitions: Highlighting collections, themes, or events.

 AI Tools for Reader Services Delivery

Below is a table of AI tools, their URLs, features, and potential applications in Reader Services:

S/No	AI Tool	URL	Uses for Librarians
1	Google Translate	translate.google.com	Translation of text and documents.
2	ChatGPT Series	openai.com	Personalised assistance, search precision, and data interpretation.
3	Gemini	-	AI-powered content creation and summarisation.
4	Connected Papers	connectedpapers.com	Visualising research connections and trends.
5	Litmaps	litmaps.com	Tracking citations and identifying related research.
6	Scite AI	scite.ai	Analysing citations to support research.
7	Perplexity AI	perplexity.ai	Providing concise, accurate answers to complex questions.
8	Mendeley	mendeley.com	Citation management and collaboration for research projects.
9	ElevenLabs.io	elevenlabs.io	Speech synthesis for accessibility services.
10	Microsoft Designer	designer.microsoft.com	Creating presentations, posters, and flyers.

 

Practical Use Cases of AI Tools in Reader Services for Specific Academic Purposes

1. Reference Services

Purpose: Provide synchronous and asynchronous digital reference services to library users.

• Tool: ChatGPT
• Uses: Assists with answering complex user queries, refining searches, and offering recommendations.

2. Research Advisory Support

Purpose: Assist users in conducting research, literature reviews, and managing citations.

• Tools:
• Scite AI: Helps users identify supportive, contradictory, or neutral citations for research papers.
• Litmaps: Tracks citations, visualises research connections, and identifies relevant literature.
• Mendeley: A reference manager for organising citations, collaborating, and sharing bibliographies.

4. Translation Services

Purpose: Break language barriers and enhance accessibility.

• Tool: Google Translate. Uses: Translates documents, text, and web pages into multiple languages instantly.

5. Document Delivery Services

Purpose: Share requested resources with users. Securely upload, share, and manage digital resources for document delivery.

• Tool: Google Drive
• Google drive:
• Z-Library: Offers a vast collection of eBooks and articles.
• PDF Drive: Provides free access to millions of PDF files across various disciplines.

6. User Education (Orientations, Soft Skills Workshops)

Purpose: Design and deliver user-focused educational programmes.

• Tools:
• Canva: Create visually appealing presentations and educational materials.
• Powtoon: Develop animated videos for engaging tutorials.
• Microsoft Designer: Generate AI-assisted professional designs for educational resources.

7. Bibliographic Compilations

Purpose: Create accurate and comprehensive bibliographies for research and projects.

• Tools:
• Zotero: Manage and compile references with ease.
• EndNote: Professional reference management software to create bibliographies.

8. Bibliotherapy Services

Purpose: Recommend resources for therapeutic and mental well-being purposes.

• Tools:
• Goodreads: Find book recommendations and reviews for bibliotherapy.
• ChatGPT: Suggest reading materials based on specific emotional or therapeutic needs.

9. PowerPoint Presentation

Purpose: Develop creative and engaging presentation slides.

• Tools:
• Canva: Offers templates and designs for professional presentations.
• Beautiful.ai: AI-powered tool for designing intuitive and visually compelling slides.

10. Library Exhibitions

Purpose: Showcase collections, promote themes, or host virtual exhibitions.

• Tools:
• Google Arts & Culture: Create virtual tours and digital exhibitions.
• Canva: Design posters, banners, and exhibition materials.
• Animaker: Create animations to promote library events and exhibitions.

S/No	Academic Purpose	AI Tool(s)	Use Cases	Website
1	Reference Services	ChatGPT	Assists with answering complex user queries, refining searches, and offering recommendations for information.	https://openai.com
2	Research Advisory Support	Scite AI	Identifies supportive, contradictory, or neutral citations for research papers.	https://scite.ai
		Litmaps	Tracks citations, visualises research connections, and identifies relevant literature.	https://www.litmaps.com
		Mendeley	Organises citations, collaborates with researchers, and shares bibliographies for efficient research management.	https://www.mendeley.com
3	Inter-Library Loan	Z-Library	Provides access to a vast collection of eBooks and academic papers for users seeking external resources.	https://z-lib.org
		PDF Drive	Offers millions of free PDFs across multiple disciplines, enabling access to resources not available locally.	https://www.pdfdrive.com
4	Translation Services	Google Translate	Translates documents, text, and web pages instantly across a wide range of languages for enhanced accessibility.	https://translate.google.com
5	Document Delivery Services	Google Drive	Securely uploads, shares, and manages digital resources for easy document delivery and access by library users.	https://drive.google.com
6	User Education (Orientations, Soft Skills Workshops)	Canva	Creates visually appealing presentations, educational materials, and resources for orientations and workshops.	https://www.canva.com
		Powtoon	Develops engaging animated videos for tutorials and educational content.	https://www.powtoon.com
		Microsoft Designer	Generates professional, AI-assisted designs for educational and workshop materials.	https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/powerpoint
7	Bibliographic Compilations	Zotero	Manages and compiles references, generating bibliographies with ease for research projects.	https://www.zotero.org
		EndNote	Provides professional reference management, creating and organising bibliographies for academic works.	https://endnote.com
8	Bibliotherapy Services	Goodreads	Suggests books for therapeutic and mental well-being based on reviews and recommendations.	https://www.goodreads.com
		ChatGPT	Recommends reading materials based on emotional or therapeutic needs, aiding in bibliotherapy practices.	https://openai.com
9	PowerPoint Presentation	Canva	Offers templates and designs for creating professional and visually appealing presentations.	https://www.canva.com
		Beautiful.ai	An AI-powered tool for designing intuitive and visually compelling presentation slides.	https://www.beautiful.ai
10	Library Exhibitions	Google Arts & Culture	Creates virtual tours and digital exhibitions, showcasing library collections and events online.	https://artsandculture.google.com
		Canva	Designs posters, banners, and exhibition materials for physical or virtual library displays.	https://www.canva.com
		Animaker	Creates animations and promotional videos to engage users and promote library events and exhibitions.	https://www.animaker.com

 

Introduction to ChatGPT

ChatGPT, a product of OpenAI, is an advanced language model designed to engage in human-like conversations and assist with a wide range of tasks. It leverages deep learning and natural language processing (NLP) to understand and generate human-like text based on the input provided. For librarians, particularly in the reader services domain, ChatGPT can be a goldmine, offering numerous ways to enhance user engagement, streamline services, and improve overall service delivery. The tool can assist with everything from answering complex research questions to helping design educational resources and library materials.

Here are 10 features of ChatGPT that can be valuable for librarians:

1. Advanced Query Handling

• Description: ChatGPT can answer complex user queries with depth and clarity, providing relevant information based on its understanding of the context.
• Use for Librarians: It can be used to assist with reference services by answering questions, recommending resources, or clarifying academic queries.

2. Information Retrieval and Recommendations

• Description: ChatGPT can search its internal knowledge base and recommend resources related to specific topics, including books, articles, or websites.
• Use for Librarians: Helps librarians provide tailored resource recommendations for research or reading purposes.

3. Personalized Assistance

• Description: ChatGPT can adjust its responses based on user input, offering personalized assistance, whether for academic research or personal interests.
• Use for Librarians: This can be used to offer personalized library services, guiding users to relevant resources based on their needs.

4. Language Translation

• Description: ChatGPT can assist in translating text across multiple languages, enabling communication with non-native speakers.
• Use for Librarians: Useful for assisting international students or users who require materials in different languages.

5. Content Summarization

• Description: ChatGPT can provide concise summaries of lengthy texts or documents.
• Use for Librarians: Summarizes research papers, articles, and academic texts, saving time for users and librarians.

6. Document Analysis and Review

• Description: ChatGPT can analyze documents, research papers, or articles, providing insights, feedback, and even suggestions for improvement.
• Use for Librarians: Assists in reviewing academic papers, helping students and researchers refine their work.

7. Writing Assistance

• Description: ChatGPT can help generate ideas, improve writing, and even create written content such as summaries, descriptions, and more.
• Use for Librarians: Useful for assisting users in writing research papers, creating bibliographies, or generating bibliotherapeutic book recommendations.

8. Virtual Reference Service

• Description: ChatGPT can function as a virtual assistant to provide synchronous and asynchronous reference services.
• Use for Librarians: A powerful tool for conducting online reference sessions or for handling user inquiries outside of regular library hours.

9. Training and Educational Support

• Description: ChatGPT can be used to create training materials, educational resources, and even quizzes or exercises.
• Use for Librarians: Helps in organizing and conducting soft skills workshops, orientations, and training on library services.

10. Integration with Library Systems

• Description: ChatGPT can be integrated into library websites or systems to provide automated responses to FAQs, facilitate navigation, and assist with catalog searches.
• Use for Librarians: Enhances library website functionality, providing users with instant support and resources, even outside business hours.

·         a list of 10 features of ChatGPT that librarians in reader services can use to enhance their library operations and service delivery:

 

List 10 features of chat-gpt for librarians in reader service

#	Feature	Description	Use for Librarians
1	Precision of Search and Efforts	ChatGPT refines searches to focus on highly relevant results, improving search accuracy.	Can help librarians with advanced search strategies and refining search queries for users in real time.
2	Virtual Assistance (Data, Picture, Handwriting Interpretation)	ChatGPT can interpret data, convert images to text, or even transcribe handwritten materials.	Assists in extracting information from various formats (e.g., images, handwritten notes) for reference or archival purposes.
3	Personalized Assistance	ChatGPT tailors responses based on user input, offering customized support and recommendations.	Provides personalized recommendations for library resources and research based on individual needs.
4	AI Literacy (Training Manual)	ChatGPT can create training manuals or educational resources to improve digital literacy skills.	Helps librarians create AI literacy workshops and training materials for users on how to interact with AI tools.
5	Generate Library Collection Book List for Accreditation	ChatGPT can help generate curated lists of books and resources required for library accreditation.	Assists in generating accurate lists of resources to meet accreditation requirements and library assessments.
6	Analyze Research Papers and Websites	ChatGPT can summarize, analyze, and provide insights from research papers or academic websites.	Assists in evaluating the quality and relevance of research papers and websites for users or library collections.
7	Book Reviews	ChatGPT can generate reviews or summaries for books based on user input or external sources.	Offers quick book reviews or recommendations for library users and assists in cataloging.
8	Provide Library Reports	ChatGPT can automate the creation of library activity reports, usage statistics, and other summaries.	Generates monthly or annual library reports, helping librarians track usage, service impact, and user feedback.
9	PowerPoint Presentation, Design Posters or Flyers	ChatGPT can assist in designing and generating content for presentations, posters, and flyers.	Helps librarians create visually appealing and informative materials for workshops, events, or promotional purposes.
10	Customize GPT for Library Services	ChatGPT can be tailored to meet specific library needs, such as guiding users through databases.	Customizes ChatGPT to provide more specific library services, such as helping users with catalog searches or library policies.

 

Prompt Engineering: How to Get the Best from Generative AI like ChatGPT

Prompt engineering is the process of designing and structuring inputs (prompts) to maximize the effectiveness and relevance of responses from AI models like ChatGPT. By refining prompts, you can improve the accuracy, usefulness, and creativity of the AI's output. Below are five dos and don’ts to help you get the best results when using generative AI like ChatGPT:

Five Dos of Prompt Engineering

1. Be Specific and Clear
• Do: Provide clear and specific instructions for the task. The more precise your prompt, the more relevant and accurate the response will be.
• Example: Instead of saying "Give me information on libraries," specify "Provide a summary of how libraries in the 21st century are incorporating AI tools in their services."
2. Break Complex Tasks into Smaller Parts
• Do: If you're asking for something complex, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This helps the AI process the information more effectively.
• Example: If you need a detailed report on a topic, ask the AI to first summarize the main points, then expand on each section step-by-step.
3. Use Contextual Information
• Do: Provide context or background information when necessary. ChatGPT can generate more accurate responses when it understands the situation or task better.
• Example: "I am preparing for a workshop on digital literacy for librarians, and I need a list of relevant AI tools for library services."
4. Ask for Structured Responses
• Do: Request the format in which you want the response, such as bullet points, a table, or a list. This ensures the output matches your desired structure.
• Example: "Please provide a table listing AI tools for research assistance, including features and URLs."
5. Iterate and Refine Prompts
• Do: Use follow-up prompts to refine or clarify the AI’s response. If the first answer is not perfect, prompt it again for further clarification or more details.
• Example: After receiving an initial response, ask, "Can you expand on the second point with more examples?"

Five Don’ts of Prompt Engineering

1. Don’t Use Ambiguous or Vague Prompts
• Don’t: Avoid being too general or unclear in your prompt. Ambiguous prompts often lead to generic or off-target responses.
• Example: Avoid vague instructions like "Tell me about libraries." Instead, specify what you want, e.g., "What are the key trends in library technology for 2024?"
2. Don’t Ask Overly Broad Questions
• Don’t: Avoid asking for overly broad or all-encompassing answers in a single prompt. AI may struggle with such broad queries and give incomplete or disorganized responses.
• Example: Instead of asking, "Explain everything about AI," narrow it down to something like, "How is AI used in reference services in libraries?"
3. Don’t Neglect Formatting Requirements
• Don’t: Forget to request specific formatting if you want the response in a particular style (e.g., list, table, or paragraph).
• Example: If you want a list of resources, specify that: "Provide a bulleted list of AI tools that can help librarians with user education."
4. Don’t Provide Contradictory Instructions
• Don’t: Offer conflicting information or instructions in your prompt. This can confuse the AI and lead to inconsistent results.
• Example: Don't say "Give a list of tools for user education," followed by "Explain in detail how these tools work." These instructions can conflict because one asks for brevity and the other for detail.
5. Don’t Ignore Follow-up Engagement
• Don’t: Rely solely on a single prompt if the response isn’t exactly what you need. Engage in a dialogue with the AI to refine the results.
• Example: If the AI's response is incomplete or unclear, ask for clarification: "Can you explain the first point in more detail?" or "Can you provide more examples for the last tool?

Practical Sessions:

1. Design a poster for your library orientatation using Canva
2. Generate an AI literacy Manual With ChatGPT
3. Upload an article in a foreign language and translate it to English using ChatGPT.
4. Write your library koha website and use ChatGPT to create a bibliographic detailed tables.
5. Generate a literature review on the topic "Information Ethics" using  Sciete AI.
6. Use Litmap to generate literature trends on "AI literacy"