Reskilling Librarians for the AI Generation: The rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) has brought about significant changes in the academic library landscape. As librarians navigate this transformative landscape, it is essential to reskill and adapt to the new technologies and challenges. This essay explores the integration of GAI in academic libraries, focusing on the importance of data privacy, sustainability, and ethical considerations. Through a case study of implementing GAI in a manner similar to hypothetical reference service use-cases, this essay demonstrates the potential benefits and limitations of GAI in enhancing reference services and information management. The study highlights the need for librarians to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to harness the potential of GAI while mitigating its risks. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of balancing technological advancement with the core values of the library profession, ensuring that the benefits of GAI are realized without compromising the principles that define the library’s mission.

Odin Halvorson: “I work at the intersection of technology, creativity, and community, bridging the gap between science, the arts, and empathy. As an itinerant volunteer and community organizer, I’ve helped build projects for social good at both the national and local scales. As a librarian and creative writer with graduate degrees from SJSU’s iSchool (in-progress) and the Stonecoast MFA, I engage directly with the public in multiple spheres, working to foment a plurality of perspective within diversity’s infinite combinations.”