What librarians can learn from testing Academic AI and why it matters
Librarians are no strangers to change. But today’s shift towards the Academic AI era and assisted cataloging and personalized discovery isn’t just about technology. It’s about librarians shaping that technology to work for them and their user’s needs.
The latest whitepaper from Clarivate offers a compelling look at how librarians are driving innovation in metadata management and discovery, using Academic AI not as a replacement, but as a powerful partner. The paper features real-world examples from librarians who’ve tested, challenged and improved AI-assisted cataloging tools based on their professional expertise.
Elizabeth York, Electronic Resources Librarian at Rutgers University took a hands-on approach. She tested AI-generated metadata using books she had personally read. Her feedback helped improve summary accuracy and led to the development of features like automatic image resizing. She also helped define how AI-enhanced records should be marked, ensuring transparency and academic integrity remain front and center. Her work ensures that academic integrity remains central, even as technology evolves.
“We have to remember AI is not a toy and we shouldn’t just be using it just to plug stuff in and see what happens. We should be careful to use it for real applications that
will have real benefits and not to treat it casually.”
Elizabeth York, Electronic Resources Librarian, Rutgers University
After discovering that AI sometimes produced more metadata than needed, Mingyan Li, Metadata Librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago advocated for field-level control. Her input led to smarter, more customizable configurations that allow catalogers to request specific metadata elements like summaries or tables of contents tailored to their needs.
“With this powerful tool [Alma Metadata Assistant], we can improve our efficiency and workflow, and guarantee at the same time expert interpretation when needed
and necessary to oversee and ensure the quality of the metadata.”
Mingyan Li, Metadata Librarian, University of Illinois Chicago
The whitepaper also introduces the Next Discovery Experience (NDE), a redesigned interface built with librarian input that makes search more intuitive, accessible and personalized. NDE empowers library users to explore collections in ways that match their habits and expectations, while giving librarians advanced analytics to understand engagement and optimize services.
Also featured is the Primo Research Assistant, an AI-powered tool that brings academic rigor to the discovery process. Unlike general purpose chatbots, this assistant is grounded in trusted library sources. It delivers summaries, citations and direct links to full texts, bridging the gap between instant answers and scholarly depth.
What makes this whitepaper essential reading is its focus on librarian-led innovation. It’s not about adopting technology for technology’s sake, it’s about using it to solve real problems, improve workflows and elevate the role of the library within the academic ecosystem.
“The transition to Alma was the next step in our journey. We’re not just thinking about how Alma fits into the library’s tech ecosystem, but how it integrates with the university’s information services ecosystem.” Allen Jones, Senior Director, Digital Library and Technical Services, The New School
Whether you’re looking to streamline cataloging, enhance discovery or ensure transparency in AI-assisted processes, this paper offers insights you can apply today.
Download the whitepaper now and see how your peers are shaping the future of academic libraries with integrity, expertise, and impact.
Discover more about using an integrated library system such as Alma library management system, Leganto list management system, or Primo library discovery service.
