I came across something recently that I think is worth sharing with anyone who works in or with libraries. It’s a new report out of the UK from the Innovating in Trusted Spaces project, and it offers some of the most grounded, practical guidance I’ve seen on how libraries can help their communities navigate AI and digital media literacy.
Four English library services — Newcastle, Northumberland, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire (Inspire) — tested real approaches over the course of the project, and the findings are full of lessons that translate well beyond the UK.
The Core Idea
The report makes a case that AI and digital media literacy are now essential life skills, not nice-to-haves. AI is already embedded in everyday life — shopping recommendations, search results, job applications, chatbots — but most people don’t understand how it works or when to be skeptical. Libraries, the report argues, are uniquely positioned to help because they’re trusted, accessible, and already serving people who are digitally excluded.
What I love about this framing is that it doesn’t ask libraries to become tech hubs or hire AI specialists. It says libraries just need to be themselves — with some new tools and a little more confidence.
What They Tested and What Worked
The project tried several delivery models: exhibitions and pop-up demonstrations, bookable introductory sessions, tailored sessions for specific community groups, and one-to-one support at public desks. They built around free resources like Good Things Foundation’s AI Gateway and Learn My Way — nothing expensive or proprietary.
The approaches that worked best shared a few traits: short, manageable bursts of learning (not multi-week courses), delivery by trusted library staff rather than outside experts, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and practical examples tied to real customer needs. People engage more when the support solves an immediate, real problem — not when it’s framed as “learning about AI.”
What Surprised Me
A few things stood out. Staff don’t need to be AI experts — they need confidence, good resources, and permission to learn alongside customers. The best entry points are everyday tools people already use: Google Lens, autocomplete, spam filters, translation apps. You don’t start with ChatGPT; you start with something someone already touches.
And printed materials still matter. A lot of people with low digital confidence prefer a handout they can take home. That’s a good reminder that even in 2026, the basics still count.
The Challenges
The report doesn’t gloss over the hard parts. Fear and uncertainty about AI is real — for customers and for staff. Some customers have such limited basic digital skills that AI literacy is a distant second step. And staff capacity can often be a bottleneck.
The advice is sensible: address basic skills first where needed, reassure staff, and embed AI support into existing library work rather than treating it as a separate specialist service.
My Take
This report validates something I’ve believed for a long time: the most effective library work is practical, human, and trust-based. You don’t need a big budget or a tech background. You need to meet people where they are, use the relationships you’ve already built, and take small, confident steps.
If you’re thinking about how your library can help people navigate AI and misinformation, this is worth your time. I’ve shared the highlights, but the full document has more detail, more examples, and a framework you can adapt for your own community.
What’s your library doing around AI and digital literacy? I’d love to hear what’s working — or what you’re curious about. Always collecting good ideas.
