Block 5

Enhance Existing Activities!

In this block, we show how we integrated AI literacy into existing activities in our institutions so you can do the same without starting from scratch.

As libraries expand their roles and services for their readers and wider community, it is becoming increasingly prevalent — especially in European libraries – to host regular educational activities in the library space. Think of your own library — there might be weekly digital skill workshops for seniors or a creative writing club, or you may host a makerspace where all sorts of activities take place? If any such activity can be found on a regular basis, this can be your golden ticket and a way in for a more active approach when it comes to AI literacy as well. As we have learned, “sprinkling” a little bit of an AI angle into activities is possible in a wide range of contexts, and in this block we will walk you through our experience in the hope that you can be able to replicate it yourself.

The first part of the block looks at the overall approach that you can take when adapting an existing activity format for AI literacy. This is later illustrated with examples from our practical tasks within the LIBRA.I. project. If you wish to go even more in-depth, all of our format lesson plans can be found linked to the shorter descriptions.

EXISTING FORMATS CAN ANSWER YOUR NEEDS

As you approach the idea of an AI literacy activity for your library users, think of three aspects:

• What will you be teaching? AI is a through-line topic and can be linked to a near infinite number of other issues.
• What audience do you hope to reach? More on that in BLOCK #3.
• What will your activity/lesson look like? What practical elements and methods will you use?

These are three aspects you should keep in mind when reviewing all the activities your library already offers to the community. If the preexisting activity goes well together with what you have planned in terms of AI literacy, it may be the right one to transform into an AI literacy seminar or workshop.

FROM TRADITIONAL METHODS TO EXPLORING AI

When taking an existing format and adapting it to teach others about AI literacy, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. It helps to choose a topic that might be familiar to as wide an audience as possible. This main topic, used as a frame, helps set a clear goal of what side of AI capabilities you will be discovering within the set activity. You can easily stick to established flow of a previously tried activity by replacing the previous main topic with AI by adding an AI angle to it. Like we did by combining AI with such topics as the writer’s voice, podcasting or even the Latvian Cultural Canon.

Whatever your topic of choice might be, it is a good idea to discuss how AI links with it in real life gradually through the activity. Discussions and questions about how this abstract new technology has a practical real-world use can help participants better understand its presence and maybe even create new questions that you can explore together. For our activities, such methods as statements and questions in a “true or false” format can were added as a playful, engaging element.

ADAPT FOR THE PARTICIPANTS

During the learning process, you may encounter participants with varying skill levels. Ideally, the most complex tasks are assigned to those with more experience, while additional educators or assistants can provide simultaneous support to participants with lower skill levels. This approach is particularly valuable when working with groups such as seniors who may have limited computer literacy, ensuring that everyone can engage meaningfully with the activity.

To help the activity run smoothly, it is useful to prepare a script in advance and plan for possible deviations. For effective learning, it is advisable to begin with simple tasks and gradually progress to more complex ones. A step-by-step transition from specific, focused information to broader, more conceptual understanding further supports learners’ comprehension.

As you go through the activity, you will find there are a lot of different little aspects to consider when it comes to planning. You will find additional tips in BLOCK #4.

INCORPORATE TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Although the main focus of LIBRA.I. is more on creating a general understanding of AI and providing a basis for AI literacy as a whole, we found in our enhanced formats that, despite the audience, participants are always eager to have a practical look at AI tools. A tried-and-true method would be to incorporate a look into one or a few of the so-called LLMs (Large Language Models), like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or similar tools. This can help connect AI as a resource to your predefined topic. We recommend using tools in practical training that clearly and simply showcase the potential of artificial intelligence. Avoid going into too much technical detail but stick to the mission. If your main format talks to seniors about disinformation on the internet, you may talk about how AI images are generated, if your goal is to teach creative writing, talk about developing ideas using LLMs, if you are teaching children, use image generators to illustrate fairytales.

The idea of using AI to enhance your activities does not mean they should suddenly become overly complicated. We hope that our enhanced format descriptions with the added lesson plans can serve as a good starting point and inspiration to you.

USE OUR LESSON PLANS

The following lesson plans are preexisting activities in each of the LIBRA.I. partner libraries that were enhanced with AI literacy elements, taking into account the different audiences we were working with. We hope that the detailed plans found in each link provide you with an understanding of how we developed each of the activities as well as how they could be adapted to your library. For more detailed lesson plans, see BLOCK #6.


“Author’s Voice vs. Artificial intelligence” is a creative workshop, designed by AI ambassadors from the Mediateka MeMo library in Łódź, Poland. It invites young creatives to dive into the nuances of authorial style, such as exploring rhythm, metaphors, and unique elements that define human artistry. Participants are challenged to distinguish original literary fragments by authors like Bruno Schulz or Angela Carter from stylistically mimicked texts and AI-generated imitations. Beyond the guessing game, the session provides a practical toolkit for identifying the artificial perfection of machine learning, such as its obsession with the “rule of threes” and its tendency to follow repetitive linguistic patterns.   
“Artificial Intelligence and Nostalgia in Cultural Heritage — Helper or Joke?” is a workshop designed by AI ambassadors at the National Library of Latvia, aimed at a senior audience. The session focuses on exploring AI tools and their functionality through cultural heritage. Participants move beyond common myths by using interactive “statement cubes” and testing whether AI can recognise iconic pieces of cultural heritage. Participants also have the opportunity to try their hand at AI prompting, using ChatGPT to draft poetry and then bring those words to life through voice synthesis.
 
“AI Toolkit for Podcasters”, created by AI ambassadors at the Muntpunt library in Brussels, Belgium is specifically designed to provide young creatives and adult learners with orientation and confidence. The session frames AI as a “thinking partner” that can assist with a wide range of ideas, from brainstorming episode angles to automating the drudgery of noise reduction and transcription. The workshop invites participants to explore how technology can handle repetitive tasks so that creators can reclaim their time for the storytelling that matters most. With a curated resource list featuring tools like ChatGPT for ideation and Descript for editing, plus a final reflective exercise to help attendees set their own boundaries, this lesson plan offers a comprehensive roadmap for effective audio content creation.