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This column explores the practical considerations and institutional strategies for adopting Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools in academic libraries. As higher education institutions increasingly integrate AI into teaching, research, and student support, libraries play a pivotal role in guiding ethical, inclusive, and pedagogically sound implementation. Drawing on case studies from Clemson University, Wake Forest University, and Goldey-Beacom College, the column examines key areas of GenAI integration: contract negotiations, licensing models, trial and pilot program design, data privacy, accessibility, authentication, analytics, training, and ethical use. The article emphasizes the importance of aligning AI adoption with institutional missions, user agency, and evolving frameworks of AI literacy. Recommendations are provided for libraries of all sizes to navigate the dynamic GenAI landscape responsibly and equitably, ensuring that academic integrity and student-centered values remain at the core of AI integration.
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This content will become publicly available on October 3, 2026
AI Policies in U.S. Universities: A Critical Analysis of Policy Gaps and Library Involvement
As generative AI technologies proliferate across higher education, many U.S. universities are still developing institutional policies to address their ethical, pedagogical, and accessibility implications. This posIT column critically examines AI policies and resources at 50 four year universities—one from each U.S. state—to assess alignment with the Association of Research Libraries’ (ARL) Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence. Through content analysis of LibGuides, AI taskforce membership, campus events, and public-facing policies, the study reveals widespread adoption of AI resources but a significant lack of clarity, consistency, and librarian involvement in policy development. While most institutions meet baseline criteria related to privacy, plagiarism, and algorithmic transparency, fewer address AI’s potential harms to marginalized communities or its impact on accessibility for students with disabilities. Notably, fewer than half of the AI taskforces surveyed included library staff, despite librarians’ expertise in digital literacy and ethical information use. This column urges academic librarians to actively seek leadership roles in institutional AI governance to help shape inclusive, responsible, and human-centered AI policy frameworks.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2438144
- PAR ID:
- 10648738
- Publisher / Repository:
- Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Library Administration
- Volume:
- 65
- Issue:
- 6-7
- ISSN:
- 0193-0826
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 808 to 824
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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