Research and Instruction Services at Criss Library Partners with Faculty and Students to Navigate the Research Process with AI

The core mission of Criss Library’s Research and Instruction Services (RIS) has always been to help students understand how information is created and valued, and to guide them in navigating the evolving information landscape effectively and efficiently. As part of this mission, RIS faculty and staff are integrating information literacy skills for artificial intelligence into library instruction services. RIS librarians are currently engaged in diverse initiatives to address AI information literacy at all levels of the research process.

For RIS Director Tammi Owens, this means supporting faculty and students at all levels of AI engagement. “Our faculty librarians are focused on partnering with our colleagues in the academic colleges to incorporate AI tools into the research process, when appropriate and with care,” Owens said. “We also are working with faculty in the colleges to scaffold and humanize the research process using reflective assignments rooted in thoughtful research practices, with or without AI." Current RIS AI initiatives include workshops, curriculum development, and database tool integration.

AI Workshops for Faculty

On August 19, more than 40 faculty and staff attended “Avoiding the Pitfalls of Using AI in Your Instruction and Research,” a workshop developed by Isabel Soto Luna, Business and Copyright Librarian, and Dr. Omer Farooq, Social Sciences Librarian.

“RIS plays a strong role in examining the evolving role of AI in research, its structure, function, and potential to support campus research initiatives,” Dr. Farooq said. “Our work addresses the ethical considerations associated with its use for our faculty and students.”

The workshop, which introduces practical strategies for teaching and research in this evolving space, is part of a multi-pronged effort to meet both faculty and students at the intersection of higher education and AI.

“Technology keeps evolving faster and we have to figure out not just how to keep up but also how to guide our students,” Soto Luna said. “AI literacy, which is part of information literacy, is increasingly important as the changes keep coming. Library faculty are here to help everyone with these transitions.”

AI and Instruction

To further student success in critical thinking and information literacy skills. subject librarians in RIS are integrating AI literacy best praces into in-person and Canvas-based instructional content.

Craig Finlay, OER and STEM Librarian, is partnering with faculty on a research project to develop AI information literacy modules which address faculty and student concerns by ensuring transparency, ethical use, and human-centered creativity.

“I believe that many faculty and student concerns about AI in higher ed have common solutions,” Finlay said. “Some faculty are concerned about the possibility that students are using AI to do their work for them. Students frequently report that they’re worried they’ll be accused of cheating. Coursework with built-in transparency addresses both issues.”

AI in Research Databases

Several library database vendors, including EBSCO, ProQuest, and Elsevier, have introduced integrated AI research assistants over the summer. These tools will debut in library databases in the coming months as our vendors include them in their new interfaces.

These AI tools are closed systems, not public large language models. They do not save user inputs to train external models, meaning privacy for all users is preserved. To ensure that faculty and students are aware of these features and know how to use them properly, RIS librarians will introduce vendor-driven AI tools in instruction sessions.

Online Learning and Education Librarian Monica Maher is working on a suite of audiovisual materials demonstrating these research assistants. “We’re addressing AI developments in online research platforms to ensure that no faculty, students or researchers are caught off-guard and can instead focus the work at hand,” Maher said, adding that any faculty wanting to know more should contact their subject librarian and review the video tutorials library guide.

Moving forward together

UNO’s bachelor’s degree in AI is the first in Nebraska, and Criss Library is invested in supporting and furthering our university’s position as Nebraska’s leader in AI and education. Contact your subject librarian to integrate AI information literacy into your course: in-person, virtually, or asynchronously.

Spotlight on the AI Learning Lab at UNO We’d also like to recognize our colleagues at the AI Learning Lab at UNO. Part of the Division of Innovative and Learning Centric Initiatives, the AI Learning Lab offers enterprise ChatGPT access through the OpenAI Challenge, AI-powered educator grants, professional development opportunities, and showcases of pilot projects. Faculty and staff can work toward an AI-powered educator badge through its programs.

“For the AI Learning Lab, we want to encourage the use of AI in responsible and ethical ways, but also understand that not everyone is there,” said Director Cassie Mallette. “It is important for us to meet people where they are and provide support on how faculty and staff can incorporate AI into their classes or their workflow in a way that aligns with their own thoughts on AI."

About Criss Library

The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library fulfills the UNO mission through dynamic services, highly qualified and adaptive personnel, unique and extensive collections, and accessible learning spaces and environments. With its location on UNO’s Dodge Campus, Criss Library provides UNO students, faculty and staff, and the Omaha community with the resources and materials needed to excel academically and professionally.

About the AI Lab

The AI Learning Lab exists to support faculty and staff with the integration of AI on a higher-ed campus. The AI Learning Lab helps with the development of AI skills, the implementation of AI into courses, identification of operational efficiencies in administrative units, and guiding the ethical and appropriate use of AI throughout the UNO Community.

This initiative consists of many elements and will help position UNO to become an AI-Powered campus.