AI

Robot and cat

This page contains a series of resources for both librarians and library customers - all resources are fully accessible to both, but headings have been used to identify each audience.

Library Customers

As well as having access to the librarian resources below, we'd like to highlight the drop-in classes we'll be running in 2027.  These will be advertised in the coming months and will cover all aspects of AI use: ethics, safe use, tools and tips, as well as critical thinking and to how to avoid scams and other fraudulent behavior. 

In the meantime, both the slideshow on Generative AI (understanding the likes of Copilot, Google's Gemini, ChatGPT etc.,) and the brochure on how to critically analyse responses from AI will serve as good introductions to careful use.

Librarians

The following resources are aimed at librarians new to AI but can be used by library customers too.  There is a lot of fear around AI and deservedly so, but it's also important to understand some of the really good things that are happening, like the Human Protein Atlas and the accelerated research on cancer. 
 
Like all disruptive technology, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so this page provides some resources to help you out.   As Michael Hanegan, founder for the Center for the Future of Learning and Work, warns:   "Disengaging with AI guarantees your vulnerability and it guarantees harm to your position.  So even if you don't like it, even if you don't want to use it, the people you serve will be harmed without your help." Michael Hanegan, founder for the Center for the Future of Learning and Work, presenting at the 2026 ALA (American Library Association) Conference.

Library Resources:

Learn the basics of Generative AI (Gen AI) with this self-led learning presentation. 

These slides can be used by librarians new to Generative AI (Gen AI).  Topics covered include:  

  • What is Gen AI?
  • How do I use Gen AI?
  • Prompts and best practices
  • Things to look out for
  • Some useful information literacy tools and tips
  • Making the most of Gen AI (things to do with it)

Click on the slide below to get started.

GenAI-Slides.png

We have also created a brochure to help people critically assess information in the age of AI.  Our brochure uses the SIFT and CRAP methodology.  SIFT stands for Stop, Investigate, Find and Trace and is teamed up with CRAP: Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose.  Both methodologies can help librarians and their customers critically assess the responses and information generated from AI.  If you are a librarian reading this, you are welcome to contact us to get the non-logo file of this brochure.

Brochure: How-to-SIFT-through-the-CRAP-in-the-Age-of-AIproper.pdf(PDF, 878KB)

Page One of AI brochure

 

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In the September 2026 issue of LIANZA's Library Life, the Regular Column on Artificial Intelligence contains an article (link awaiting approval) on how to use a scoring rubric and evaluation table to help AI critically assess other AI using the SIFT and CRAP methodology above.  

You can download the following file (with instructions included in the file) to quickly evaluate responses from multiple Gen AI: Scoring-rubric-and-evaluation-template-for-Gen-AI-tools.docx(DOCX, 17KB)

Please note: The resources made available on this page have a Creative Commons License of Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To find out more, please visit:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode  Please credit Waitaki District Libraries when using these resources.

 

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