Block 10

Take the First Step!

In this block, we invite you to take the first step: Turn ideas into small, practical actions in your library and tell us about them.

Previously, we highlighted how dynamic development of AI is changing the way we create, perceive, and interpret information and visual content. We emphasised the key role of libraries, schools, and cultural institutions in understanding the changes. The LIBRA.I. project shows that AI literacy is not the domain of technological experts alone. We, as librarians and educators, can be an everyday partner in the long, often confusing process of understanding the digital world around us.

Incorporating topics related to media, reading, writing, and storytelling in the context of AI into the daily activities of your library can be that welcome first step. As previously stated, this does not require advanced technical knowledge but rather a willingness to learn alongside participants and the ability to present new technologies within familiar educational practices. More on this you will find in BLOCK #4 and BLOCK #5.

Every meeting, workshop, or conversation in a library can become a starting point for a better understanding of a world where AI is already an everyday occurrence. Now is the time to pass this knowledge on with the real needs of the audience in mind.

As the LIBRA.I. team, we hope that with this methodology, you will be encouraged to:

1. Implement AI-related topics into your daily activities focused on media and creative education.
2. Strengthen critical thinking and resistance to disinformation among your readers.
3. Promote responsible and mindful use of digital tools

As librarians, teachers, and cultural educators, you have a unique opportunity to become guides in a world that is changing before our eyes. Through the LIBRA.I. project, we prove that AI literacy is not just for experts – it is for everyone! Every workshop, discussion, and meeting is a step toward a society that consciously and ethically engages with technology. You do not need to be an expert, just stay open to new knowledge, and share it with others.
 

WHY TAKE ACTION?

• AI is everywhere — from book recommendations to content generation. The sooner we understand its mechanisms, the better prepared we’ll be for the challenges, risks, and opportunities it brings.
• Critical thinking is essential — in an era of deepfakes and algorithms shaping our opinions, tht ability to verify information has become crucial.
• Libraries and other cultural centers are safe spaces — here, you can ask questions, experiment, and learn without pressure. They are the perfect place to demystify AI and show how it can serve creativity, education, and dialogue.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Add new perspectives and topics to existing formats. There is no need to organise anything new. You have your library and readers – in fact, that is all you need. If you run workshops for seniors or young people, suggest they talk about artificial intelligence. Ask what they need and what they would like to know about it.
• Learn together with your readers. The AI topic is changing drastically and fast, so it is impossible to know everything about it. This is why sharing experiences and learning together can be a source of relief for many. This way, you will let your readers know not to worry too much. Nobody knows all the answers. But in a group, we can try to find them.
• Together, it is easier. Exchange the experiences with other librarians. Maybe reach out to a local university or school? This approach may lead to new partnerships that will yield results for months to come.
• Look around. If you do not feel confident in AI literacy, check if there exists a local initiative connected to this topic.
• Use this methodology. Among the materials included are ready-made lesson plans, bootcamp experiences, practical tips for adapting existing educational formats, and tools for building community engagement — choose those that best fit your needs and the expectations of your local audience.

1. NAME YOUR NEEDS

• Write down 3 questions about technology or AI that readers are already asking today.
• Consider which groups (children, youth, adults, seniors) most often report these needs.

2. FIRST CONTACT WITH THE TOOL

• Choose one AI-based tool (e.g., chatbot, image generator, summarization tool).
• Check them for as long as you need.
• Write down how it can be useful and what doubts arise in you while working with it.

3. CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT AT YOUR INSTITUTION:

• Thematic conversation.
• Mini workshop.
• An element of the classes you already teach.
• Specify: time, audience, and purpose.

4. PREPARE A SPACE FOR CONVERSATION

• Collect some materials (articles, videos, tool examples).
• Prepare one question to open the discussion and break the ice. It does not have to be a full presentation.

5. DO IT!

• Observe participants’ questions and reactions.
• Write down what worked and what was difficult.
• Note down ideas for the next topics.
• Decide what the next small step will be.

6. CHECK WHO CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR ACTIONS?

• Maybe you only need to talk to your team? There’s a possibility they will be ready to get involved.
• Try to reach out to schools, universities and foundations. It is a great opportunity to start a new partnership.

WHAT DID YOU BUILD?

Once you have chosen the direction that works best for you and your institution, try to implement changes step by step. Start with small but consistent actions: a workshop for youth, a discussion with seniors about the ethical dimensions of AI, or a meeting with local creators using AI tools. Each of these initiatives is an opportunity to build awareness, trust, and a community centered around new technologies. Keep in mind that your role as an educator or librarian is not about having all the answers but about asking the right questions and creating a safe space for experimentation. Use our materials, share your experiences with others, and let this handbook become your partner in shaping a future where technology serves people, not the other way around. We invite you to also advance the steps laid out in our methodology — while we were able to take some steps of the journey, we are sure that you will explore new paths that we have not trodden on before!

Each chapter of this methodology is a block - a material that can be utilized in diverse ways to construct something new. We truly hope that through them, you will be able to create not only bridges between institutions but also paths to guide readers through the maze of questions they potentially have, and safe places where you can all learn about new technologies in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

So, what will you build? We would be more than happy to learn about your results, the approach you have taken, and theconclusions. Be sure to reach out to the LIBRA.I. team via any of our online platforms!