Generative AI literacy : guidelines for academic libraries
SONAR|HES-SO
- Halawa, Rayan
- Schneider, René (Degree supervisor)
- Genève : Haute école de gestion de Genève
71 p.
Bachelor of Science HES-SO en Information Science: Haute école de gestion de Genève, 2025
English
The sudden emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Elicit, or Consensus, is rapidly influencing the work environment of academic libraries. Presenting both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. While students have rapidly embraced these tools for research and task automation, many academic librarians face a growing gap in comparison to students when it comes to integration of GenAI into their practice. This bachelor thesis addresses the need for GenAI literacy among academic librarians by proposing a set of guidelines designed to foster both theoretical understanding and practical competence in the use of GenAI tools.
This thesis begins with a theoretical overview of the current state of AI technologies, introducing the concept of AI literacy and exploring its application to generative artificial intelligence literacy within academic libraries. The literature review also covers key aspects such as prompt engineering principles (Zero-shot, One-shot, Few-shot, CoT...), ethical considerations regarding GenAI (reliability, privacy, sustainability). In addition, the review examines the use of GenAI tools in typical academic librarian tasks and services. Findings from this literature highlight the significant potential of GenAI tools to enhance efficiency in library processes, while also underlying the necessity of constant oversight by professionals to ensure responsible and effective implementation.
While conducting a state of the practice, surveys were analyzed, interviews were carried out with academic librarians at the University of Geneva to collect practical insights and recommendations, along with an overview of some available AI literacy online courses. In addition, a series of practical tests with different GenAI tools were conducted, focusing on typical library related tasks such as bibliographic record creation and academic research.
Based on these findings, a set of guidelines aiming at providing academic librarians with sufficient knowledge on how to implement the presented GenAI tools into their practice was developed. These guidelines are showcased through a mix of theory, practice, and scenario-based exercises along with a flexible teaching sequence adapted for academic librarians with prior knowledge about GenAI.
This thesis begins with a theoretical overview of the current state of AI technologies, introducing the concept of AI literacy and exploring its application to generative artificial intelligence literacy within academic libraries. The literature review also covers key aspects such as prompt engineering principles (Zero-shot, One-shot, Few-shot, CoT...), ethical considerations regarding GenAI (reliability, privacy, sustainability). In addition, the review examines the use of GenAI tools in typical academic librarian tasks and services. Findings from this literature highlight the significant potential of GenAI tools to enhance efficiency in library processes, while also underlying the necessity of constant oversight by professionals to ensure responsible and effective implementation.
While conducting a state of the practice, surveys were analyzed, interviews were carried out with academic librarians at the University of Geneva to collect practical insights and recommendations, along with an overview of some available AI literacy online courses. In addition, a series of practical tests with different GenAI tools were conducted, focusing on typical library related tasks such as bibliographic record creation and academic research.
Based on these findings, a set of guidelines aiming at providing academic librarians with sufficient knowledge on how to implement the presented GenAI tools into their practice was developed. These guidelines are showcased through a mix of theory, practice, and scenario-based exercises along with a flexible teaching sequence adapted for academic librarians with prior knowledge about GenAI.
- Language
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- English
- Classification
- Information, communication and media sciences
- Notes
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- Haute école de gestion de Genève
- Information documentaire
- hesso:hegge
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/333352
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