Choice launches new AI micro-course for academic libraries
Choice – a publishing unit of the Association of College and Research Librarians – has launched an email-based micro-course designed to help academic library professionals navigate the implementation of artificial intelligence on campus.
The three-module course builds on the organisation’s 2025 programme, AI Literacy Essentials for Academic Libraries, which attracted more than 9,500 participants. Developed by Choice’s LibTech Insights team with support from Clarivate, the new series will release one module each month, offering self-paced guidance on emerging AI challenges and opportunities facing academic libraries.
The course has been created with contributions from academic library professionals and combines curated readings, multimedia content, case studies and interviews with thought leaders.
Since 2023, Choice’s LibTech Insights initiative has explored the intersection of librarianship and technology through weekly blog posts, webinars and podcasts. The latest collaboration with Clarivate draws on the company’s work in academic AI, including its Academic AI platform, the Pulse of the Library survey and a range of AI-native research tools.
Oren Beit-Arie, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, Academia & Government at Clarivate, commented: “As libraries move from exploring AI to implementing it in practical ways, there is a greater need for education and free courses. 70% of librarians have no formal access or dedicated time for AI learning, according to our 2025 Pulse of the Library report – this micro-course is designed to help library professionals build the knowledge, confidence and shared understanding needed to adopt AI responsibly. By keeping real-world use cases at the center, we aim to help libraries make informed decisions about where AI can add value while maintaining trust and integrity.”
Bill Mickey, Choice Editor and Publisher, remarked, “We’re delighted to extend Choice’s AI Micro-Course with another three instructional modules for 2026. Our first eight-module series focused on AI literacy and was a huge success. These next three consider how to implement AI on campus – whether in pedagogical settings, library workflows, or resource integrations.”
Kaylee Erdos, User Experience Librarian at Florida Institute of Technology and one of the more than 9,500 participants in the 2025 programme, highlighted the importance of continued AI education for librarians. “Libraries have always played an important role in helping students and faculty adapt to new technology, and that won’t change with AI. While I think AI will have many positive effects, it might also change the roles of librarians and instructors in ways that feel challenging. Still, we’ll need to keep showing our value and adapting so that AI becomes something that enhances our work, not something that replaces it.”
Registration for the three-month email course is now open, with rolling enrolment available over the next six months. The first cohort begins on 1 July.
Further information and registration are available on the Choice website.