LibraryLinkNJ’s 2026 AI Ambassadors series wrapped up this month after four sessions designed to help New Jersey library professionals better understand artificial intelligence and lead informed conversations in their communities. Led by Jim Craner of The Galecia Group, the spring program moved from foundational AI concepts to hands-on experimentation and broader discussions about how these tools intersect with library work.
Our first session focused on how large language models function, along with questions surrounding trust, copyright, labor, energy use, and accountability. Participants explored the challenges of evaluating AI-generated information and discussed how transparency and human oversight shape responsible use. Philip Carter, Director of the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System, joined the cohort for a conversation on ethical implementation and public trust.
Tools, Prompts, and Experimentation
The second session shifted toward practical experimentation with tools including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, NotebookLM, and AI image generators. Conversation quickly became practical, with Jim leading the discussion on strengths and weaknesses of the different tools for writing, coding, research, document analysis, and image creation. One recurring theme throughout this session was that stronger results come from stronger prompts. Participants emphasized the importance of specificity, context, and careful review when working with AI-generated content. Arielle Denrich and Andrea Caporale also shared their experiences integrating AI into the Somerville School District, highlighting policy, transparency, and the importance of preserving human connection. The group reflected on what interactions should never be replaced by AI.
Libraries, Access, and Responsibility
The final session focused on practical library applications, information literacy, and public responsibility. The group explored emerging tools, discussed source verification, and reflected on how libraries can respond to the growing presence of AI with stronger education, clearer guidance, and better evaluation skills for both patrons and staff. The conversation underscored a broader challenge for libraries: as AI tools become easier to use, information literacy becomes even more important.
Final Session in Piscataway
The series concluded with an in-person gathering at Piscataway Public Library centered on reflection, discussion, and next steps. The afternoon featured a keynote from Brandie Nonnecke titled AI Without the Sci-Fi: Separating Myth From Reality for Meaningful Impact, which emphasized privacy, transparency, accountability, as well as the legal and policy questions information professionals increasingly face as AI becomes more integrated into everyday life.
The final session also gave participants an opportunity to connect with members of the 2023 AI Ambassadors cohort, exchange experiences, and discuss how they might bring what they learned back to their own libraries. As the program concluded, attendees received certificates along with resources, examples, and a broader network of colleagues navigating many of the same questions.
Why This Training Mattered
This series framed AI not as a novelty, but as an emerging literacy issue for library staff across New Jersey. LibraryLinkNJ’s goal was not simply to introduce new tools, but to prepare ambassadors who can explain AI thoughtfully, evaluate it critically, and help their communities engage with it responsibly. That focus on literacy, transparency, and informed use remained consistent from the first session through the final discussion in Piscataway.
The success of the program reflected the engagement and curiosity of the 2026 AI Ambassadors themselves, and we look forward to seeing this conversation continue through avenues like the MentorNJ Online Meetup: AI in Libraries, an ongoing informal discussion space for both skeptics and curious participants alike. Special thanks the members of LibraryLinkNJ Tech Advisory Group (L-TAG), who were instrumental in helping coordinate this series. If you are interested in keeping up with ever-changing technology trends that are relevant to libraries, consider joining us.
Recorded webinars and resources from the training are available to New Jersey library staff via the LibraryLinkNJ LearningSpace. Visit the AI Ambassadors pathway to request access or send an email request to Jon Braun.