Preparation
We are sharing these resource in advance with the request that all participants read or review the “pre-reads” in the hopes of developing a shared frame of reference for discussing archival reference and generative AI. Below, we are providing additional resources for those looking for more information, such as overviews of LLM-based, generative AI tools, and other items that may be of interest.
Pre-Read Resources
Everyone should read or review these:
- Duff, Wendy M., Elizabeth Yakel, and Helen Tibbo, “Archival Reference Knowledge,” American Archivist 76 (2013):68–94. DOI: 10.17723/aarc.76.1.x9792xp27140285g.
- Jesse A. Johnston and Meghan Courtney, “Archival Reference Services in an Age of AI,” Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals, online first. DOI: 10.1177/15501906261439244.
- Emilie Hardman, “Like It or Not, AI Has Arrived in Archives,” Katina Magazine (March 2026), available at https://katinamagazine.org/content/article/open-knowledge/2026/like-it-or-not-ai-has-arrived-in-archives.
Additional Resources - Generative AI
- Andrej Karpathy, “Intro to Large Language Models,” 1-hour talk (November 2023), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjkBMFhNj_g.
- Carolyn Caizzi and Amy Deschenes, “From Card Catalogs to Semantic Search: Building a Human-Centered Discovery Platform Powered by AI Technologies,” Information Technology and Libraries (2026). doi: 10.5860/ital.v45i1.17511.
- AI4LAM (AI for Libraries, Archives, and Museums), community list of “Introduction to AI” resources.
- MIT Management Teaching & Learning, Glossary of Generative AI Terms.
Additional Resources - AI Projects & Policies of Interest to Archives
- Running list of RAG projects in libraries/archives, collated by Tom Cramer & AI4LAM group
- ALA Center for the Future of Libraries, “Artificial Intelligence,” at https://www.ala.org/future/trends/artificialintelligence.
- ALA Artificial Intelligence Policy Working Group, “Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries” (April 2026 DRAFT), PDF available at https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/AI%20Working%20Group%20-%20%20DRAFT%20for%20ALA%20Board%20Council%20and%20Members.pdf.
- Claire Kelley, “Solidarity in Action: Labor, AI, and the Future of Libraries,” Library Journal (July 2025), available online.
- Other professional groups?