December Member Highlights: AI Alchemy

Each month, our Member Highlights features the outstanding work and initiatives of OhioNet member libraries across the state.

Looking Back at AI Alchemy: Libraries Growing Smarter

This month, we’re proud to highlight the OhioNet members who contributed to the success of our AI Summit on November 19, 2024. Hosted at the State Library of Ohio, this one-day summit helped library professionals explore AI applications across various library types.

The agenda for the event featured a keynote presentation from Columbus Metropolitan Library, a practitioner panel featuring speakers from Delaware Area Career Center (DACC), University of Toledo, University of Cincinnati; an ethics discussion from Ashland University, a vendor panel, and a hands-on workshop—with most sessions led by OhioNet members.

More than 50 attendees from public, academic, school, and special libraries came together to share ideas and build connections. The wide range of libraries represented led to the cross-pollination of ideas, and an in-person opportunity for members to mingle and meet fellow practitioners. We hope to host more in-person summits like this in the future. Participant feedback showed how valuable the event was:

“Thank you for organizing this awesome event! I learned a lot and I always benefit from networking with other librarians. :)”

“The keynote speakers from Columbus Metro gave me good ideas about a library AI policy.”

“There was a lot of good information to absorb, but not being particularly tech savvy, I was very appreciative of the final presentation, ‘Let’s Build a Program.’”

“I really enjoyed Grace’s presentation. I feel like I can use a lot of her curriculum for programming and one-on-one help.”

We’re excited by the enthusiasm and creativity displayed at this summit and look forward to sharing more about similar upcoming events. Thank you to everyone who made AI Alchemy a success!

We love hearing from our members! Share news or highlight a recent project from your library in OhioNet’s monthly member highlights email – contact communications manager Jillian Tuttle at [email protected] for more information.

Additional Member Updates –

• A warm welcome to our new member: Dominican Sisters of Peace!
• We invite you to join us for a free webinar on Jan. 15 from 3-4 p.m. where we’ll be presenting the findings and recommendations from the OhioNet 2024 ADEI Assessment. View the full report here.
• OhioNet will be closed for the holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Wednesday, Dec. 25, and again on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and New Year. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another year of collaboration and growth!