Block 1
Start Your Journey Here!
In this block, we explain what LIBRA.I. is, why we created this methodology, and how you can use it in a way that fits your own library and pace.
We are very glad this methodology has reached you, and we hope that you are feeling what we felt when we began this project in 2024: the sensation of standing at the threshold of a great AI literacy journey of knowledge and practice!
What is LIBRA.I.? The name of our project combines “LIBRARIES” and “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE” (AI), two things that might seem separate at first, but have become more and more intertwined. As you see, AI has arrived in our everyday lives quite fast and without much introduction. One day we were still wrapping our heads around digital skills and media literacy questions, and, on the next, we were talking about generative tools that can create text, images and so much more seemingly out of thin air. But, as we know at this moment, things are much more complicated than that. When we are talking about AI, we are also talking about sources, ethics, trustworthy information, algorithms, its effect on our everyday lives, and much more! This is exactly where libraries come in.
LIBRA.I. IS ONE OF THE FIRST PROJECTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION TO LOOK AT AI LITERACY THROUGH THE LIBRARIAN LENS.
Libraries, as pillars of democratic practice, information and learning, offer a unique perspective, which makes them perfect spaces for exploring AI. Understanding what AI is, what it does and what it cannot do, in an inclusive and trustworthy environment, is key to navigating this new tool and building relevant skills. Whether at the end of the day a patron chooses not to interact with AI ever again, or to make it a permanent part of his or her life, libraries can be the guiding force behind this decision.
What you are about to embark on is a journey that we – library specialists and AI experts from Latvia, Belgium and Poland – have taken before you. From understanding the needs of libraries to organising learning groups, to then seeing how librarians can become trainers of AI literacy in their communities – we have carefully documented our experience, so you may follow our example, learn from our observations and hopefully improve upon them. This methodology is a collection of our findings, experiences, as well as guides to put AI literacy training in practice for libraries all around Europe. It does not matter if you are the sole staff member of a small library, or you are part of an institution employing hundreds of library professionals – you can become the ambassador to navigating AI literacy in your institution. And we are here to help. This methodology stems from experiences of librarians from the National Library of Latvia, Muntpunt library in Brussels and MEMO Mediateka Łódź City Library, with FARI – AI for the Common Good Institute and Goethe-Institut Belgium rounding out our consortium and team.
The methodology we wanted to create differs from typical handbooks that you might be familiar with. We invite you as the reader to start here, at BLOCK #1 to familiarise yourself with the idea of our project and its goals, but from then onwards your path is open in any direction you wish to take. We have deliberately headed each chapter with a phrase that calls you to action. As you look for a title that feels most appealing to you, you may pick any block you like as your starting point. Each chapter may include a short reference to the preceding block, but in general they are self-contained. Throughout the chapters you will find references to other blocks with a mention of the relevant information that you might find there. The methodology in its entirety consists of 10 blocks, a guide to community building, and multiple printable materials for you to use.
This structure gives you agency and freedom to find the most relevant information for your needs and use only what you find most useful. The image of building blocks has been prevalent throughout the LIBRA.I. project in different forms, so it felt natural as the backbone of our methodology as well. As you travel from chapter to chapter, we hope you feel like a collector, taking each block as a valuable resource to build something for yourself.
So, what will be your LIBRA.I. journey? Will you choose a point A to point B approach and go throughout the entire methodology, or will you perhaps jump into such topics as community building and reaching stakeholders first? Maybe you will take the practical path, going from general knowledge about AI to reaching your perfect audience and adapting lesson plans? The choice is entirely yours, but we will be there at every step to guide you. Likewise, the question of what you will build is open as well. Maybe you will collect enough blocks to build a bridge for your community members? Perhaps a safe fortress for learning? Or simply a gate into the wide digital space where libraries still play a very large role in navigating it safely.
Whatever may be the case, we hope that by the end of your chosen path you will feel more knowledgeable, more safe in the ever-changing digital environment and last, but not least, empowered to act for yourself and your community to learn and share these new digital skills. More than anything, we want to encourage you to start your own journey right here, and we hope you feel well-prepared to do so after reading about our experiences!
