The group met 1 time this reporting period.
After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:
Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The committee explored a range of potential project ideas, though we are still in the process of identifying members to lead specific efforts.
We did make progress by drafting and submitting a revised committee charge:
"To explore the role of artificial intelligence in public libraries, including its potential to enhance services, streamline operations, and support community engagement; to facilitate discussions on ethical considerations, privacy, and equitable access related to AI; to collect and share resources on AI tools, best practices, and implementation strategies; and to support library staff in developing AI literacy through education, training, and collaboration."
This new charge is intended to better define the committee’s focus and ensure our work supports PLA’s broader goals around technology, staff development, and equitable service.
We recommend that PLA leadership review and approve the revised charge.
Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
While the committee’s updated charge reflects PLA’s goals around innovation and staff development, there is still room to better align our work with goals related to equity and professional growth. Future efforts could include developing guidance on equitable AI implementation in libraries, or collecting case studies on how AI tools are being used to support diverse communities. Identifying specific, manageable projects that match both member capacity and strategic priorities will help move this work forward.
What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
Incoming committee members are encouraged to bring forward project ideas they are personally interested in leading. To maintain momentum, it’s important that proposed ideas move beyond the discussion phase into small, manageable projects with clear goals and timelines.
At present, the main stream of work to be carried over is the newly proposed committee charge. Once approved, the committee will be well-positioned to begin identifying concrete next steps, such as initiatives related to AI in public libraries.
What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)
Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
PLA Digital Literacy
Core Emerging Tech Trends
Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
Submitted by Michael Bartolomeo on 06/03/2025