ACRL Bridging the Gap: An AI Community of Practice Award

Deadline: March 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific

ACRL and the Elsevier Foundation are providing a pilot community of practice program, entitled Bridging the Gap: An AI Community of Practice. A train-the-trainer model will enable early-career librarians to extend AI knowledge and skills within their institutions and communities. This program will launch with an in-person workshop at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia on June 26. Participants will:

• gain foundational AI literacy skills and learn how to lead and train others in implementing AI initiatives within their own institutions.
• leverage resources from the emerging ACRL AI Competencies for Librarians, network with peers, and become part of a growing and sustainable community of practice.  
• receive complimentary registration to the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia and a $1,650 travel stipend, provided by a grant from the Elsevier Foundation. 

Applicants must be early-career librarians from under-resourced institutions across North America who are passionate about advancing AI literacy. Under-resourced institutions are defined as those meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• Professional Development Budget: Libraries with less than $1,000 allocated annually per librarian for professional development.
• Access to AI Tools and Technologies: Libraries that do not subscribe to or have access to advanced AI tools.
• Institutional AI Initiatives: Institutions without ongoing or planned initiatives to integrate AI tools or literacy programs.
• Demographic Indicators: Libraries serving underserved or low-income student populations (e.g., institutions where more than 50% of students receive Pell Grants).
• Geographic Considerations: Institutions in rural or remote areas with limited access to collaborative networks.

Complete details and application materials are available online. The online application form includes the following essay questions:

1. Describe your plan for sharing the knowledge and skills gained from this workshop with your library community and how you envision implementing AI literacy programs at your institution. (max. 300 words)
2. What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to this community of practice? (max. 300 words)

Applicants must also submit a letter of support from their dean, director, or supervisor, demonstrating institutional support and commitment. This letter (max. 300 words) should be submitted electronically within the application form.