The AI Exploration Series will enable library workers to better understand, build confidence, and utilize Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and ChatGPT in their daily work and in their support of library patrons. We will provide practical, hands-on tutorials as well as keynote speakers on a range of issues, and discussion-based workshops that openly consider the pros and cons of this constantly evolving technology.
We hope that the feedback from these Zoom sessions will result in on-going opportunities and training of interest to our library community. Note: For a quick overview and AI related terms, head to this article from BookNet Canada.
Next
- Thursday, February 19th, 2026, 10am – 11:15am on Zoom: Using AI Tools in Library Marketing with David Lee King
- Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 10am – 11am on Zoom: Search is Evolving — Are the Searchers? with Marydee Oajala
Cost: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, which enables us to offer these events free of charge.
*If you missed a previous workshop, visit the Recordings page for a list of available presentations via our Vimeo account
Past
- December 11th, 2025: AI Workshop Design for Newcomers in Public Libraries with Shirley Chan
- December 3rd, 2025: Future-Ready Youth: Preparing our patrons to navigate the Age of AI with Nick Tanzi
- November 6th, 2025: Why Do Human Rights Matter for Emerging Technologies like AI? with Dr. Wendy H. Wong.
- October 9th, 2025: Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AI with Kristin Kozar
- June 11th, 2025: AI and Libraries: Shaping the Future of Services with Fiona O’Connor
- May 22nd, 2025: Generative AI Research Basics with Rich McCue
- March 5th, 2025: A Pessimist’s Guide to ‘AI’: Hype, Bias, Environmental Harms and What to Do About Them with Dr. Anne Pasek
- January 9th, 2025: Custom AI Models and LibraryRobot.org: a “Deep Dive” Workshop with Reed Hepler
- November 21st, 2024: AI and ChatGPT Top Tips for Daily Life & Library Work with Cari Lynn Gawletz
- October 30th, 2024: Empowering Libraries: Exploring the AI Frontier with Dr. Brandy McNeil
- October 16th, 2024: Best Practises for Hosting AI Workshops at the Public Library with Issam Laradji
These online presentations via Zoom include closed captioning. If you have any accessibility needs to attend these sessions, please contact Natalie Porter, BCLA Professional Development Coordinator in advance and BCLA will do our best to support you.
BCLA expects anyone attending to honour the Online Community Guidelines, to help create a positive environment that values accountability, respect, and a willingness to learn from each other.