The continuous evolution of the digital landscape, especially in college-level research, requires academic libraries to maintain a proactive stance, positioning technological disruption, like the rapid adoption of generative AI tools, not as a crisis but as a necessary and ongoing challenge to be navigated (Papini, 2023). New technology tools, especially AI programs, are celebrated for being easy and convenient, but when it comes to an academic scenario, such as conducting research or writing a paper, integrity, originality, and critical thinking are far more important (Anderson et al., 2021). This strategic mindset ensures that librarians can effectively support student success by addressing the real-world research dilemmas presented by these new assistants. The fundamental issue facing student researchers is the integrity of their sources. Reputable, honest academic work requires verifiable sources, which is why citations are essential. Unfortunately, because generative AI is “taught” by massive, synthesized datasets, it is often unable to provide real citations, especially when some outputs may contain AI-generated sources or AI hallucinations, directly compromising academic integrity and quality (Papini, 2023). The output is often vague, inaccurate, and lacks currency, leading the library to conclude that AI output holds little authority in a researcher’s toolbelt and cannot be considered a credible or scholarly source (Papini, 2023).
This crisis of authority places a clear and continuous burden on academic librarians, who must dedicate themselves to constant technology awareness and expertise in order to prepare for the ever-changing digital landscape that academia has found itself in. The librarian’s essential role is to become more of a navigator, helping the community to understand how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be used, as well as the threats that can come from relying on generative AI to complete work in place of critical thinking and a more traditional research process, as well as providing guidance on the appropriate use of such tools (Papini, 2023). To fulfill this mandate, librarians must promote ethical research methods, educating students and colleagues in two areas. The first is traditional source authentication in order to reinforce that AI is not to be used as a replacement for human writing within the scholarly process (Papini, 2023). The second is ethical digital citizenship, where students must be made aware of the more subtle costs of convenience, such as the fact that users of the free preview are providing free training for ChatGPT’s breadth of information. There are also many issues regarding misinformation, security, injustices, and the general threat of humanity being taken out of day-to-day functions (Anderson et al., 2021). By focusing on transparency, verification, and critical judgment, academic librarians ensure that students master foundational skills and are equipped to strategically utilize, rather than be replaced by, new technology, ultimately supporting student success in this increasingly complex digital environment (Papini, 2023).
References
Anderson, J., Rainie, L., & Vogels, E. A. (2021). Experts say the “new normal” in 2025 will be far more tech-driven, presenting more big challenges. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/02/18/experts-say-the-new-normal-in-2025-will-be-far-more-tech-driven-presenting-more-big-challenges/
Papini, A. (2023). CHATGPT: A library perspective. Krupp Library. https://library.bryant.edu/chatgpt-library-perspective