Library & AI: Why Libraries Still Matter in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Submitted by Anne Marie McLean, research, learning, and engagement librarian at Cumberlands.

When I was working as a library reference assistant in graduate school, I got a question that I found quite bizarre. A student approached the desk with a stack of books. As I opened his library account and scanned all the titles, he asked, “What do I owe you?”

At first, I thought it was a joke, but the look on his face told me he was completely serious. I went on to explain that checking out—or loaning—books at a library is completely free. He could take the books out of the library, hold on to them for 21 days, renew them, and return them by the due date without spending so much as a penny.

That was nearly 10 years ago, before COVID brought on an influx of digital services and resources, and before artificial intelligence started answering research questions instead of research librarians. Now that collections of information exist at our fingertips, it’s a wonder that students ever visit a physical library.

If they do, it’s probably at a college or university, where study rooms, coffee shops, and charging stations are the real draw. With AI tools now readily available, some students may wonder: with AI in their grasp, is the library even necessary for research?

Libraries and AI Can—and Should—Work Together

The good news is that students don’t have to choose between research with AI and the library. They can have both.

Library services are dynamic. They evolve and adapt to technological change to increase capacity for acquiring, collecting, describing, and distributing information. In fact, many library professionals are taking the reins when it comes to the ethical use of AI in academic research.

As a result, specific AI tools are being integrated into existing library platforms every day. The University of the Cumberlands’ library catalog, UC Search, is now searchable not only through traditional keyword and subject queries, but also through natural-language research questions, similar to those used in tools like ChatGPT.

How AI-Enhanced Library Research Works

For example, if your research topic is challenges faced by Hispanic communities in education, a traditional search might look like this:

Education AND (Hispanic OR Latin) AND barriers*

However, using Research Assistant, the new AI integration within UC Search, you could instead ask:

“What challenges do Hispanic Americans face in special education?”

Research Assistant then provides five recommended scholarly resources, an overview of the topic that cites those sources, and related research questions. The best part? You can continue generating new answers to explore additional results.

AI Tools in Subject Databases

Tools like Research Assistant are appearing across many library resources, especially subject databases. Subject databases are collections of academic materials organized by discipline, from education to physical therapy.

Currently, students can find AI assistants that summarize book chapters, generate statistical insights, and even provide topic maps in databases such as ProQuest, Britannica, and Scopus. Tutorials for these tools are available through the library’s new AI & Research Guide.

The Library’s Role in Responsible AI Use

With new tools coming to undergraduates, including ChatGPT Edu, the library is ready to help students integrate AI into their research responsibly and effectively.

If you have questions or want help getting started, contact the library anytime at: ttps://ucumberlands.libanswers.com/form?queue_id=2773 to get started!