A New Paradigm for Librarianship: A Review of Library Associations’ Work and AI from 2019 Until the Present
24 November 2025
A New Paradigm for Librarianship: A Review of Library Associations’ Work and AI from 2019 Until the Present
Loida Garcia-Febo, International Library Consultant
Chair, IFLA Management of Library Associations
Abstract
This article reviews how library associations worldwide have shaped the profession’s engagement with Artificial Intelligence (AI) from 2019 to the present. During this period, AI has driven a paradigm shift in librarianship, influencing professional practice, education, policy, and global advocacy. Through competency frameworks, ethical guidelines, international collaborations, and alignment with United Nations initiatives, associations such as ALA, IFLA, ARL, CENL, and ACRL have played a central role in guiding responsible and inclusive AI adoption. Key milestones between 2019 and 2025 illustrate the institutionalization of AI readiness across the field. The article concludes by identifying three strategic priorities—AI literacy, global collaboration, and agile governance—that will enable library associations to continue leading the profession through ongoing technological transformation. Reflections by Loida Garcia-Febo, MLAS Chair, on how library associations have been navigating, interpreting, and leading within the global conversation on AI since 2019.
Highlights from the article available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wzDqFof1W7wd-MbIlVm4rZDU_m33EeC2/view?usp=sharing
- Timeline of Major Milestones in Library Associations & AI (2019–2025)
| Year | Milestone | Link |
| 2019 (January) | American Library Association / TechSource (U.S.) – Library Technology Reports, Vol 55 No 1: “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Libraries” – Edited by Jason Griffey | Link to LTR |
| 2019 (March) | American Library Association’s Presidents Column on AL: “Exploring AI: How Libraries Are Starting to Apply Artificial Intelligence in Their Work” by Loida Garcia-Febo | American Libraries |
| 2019 | Book: Law Librarianship in the Age of AI, ed. by Ellyssa Kroski (ALA / Neal‑Schuman) | |
| 2019 (September) | Austrian Library Association Conference: “Artificial Intelligence in Libraries” – 34th Austrian Library Conference (Graz) | VÖB Austria |
| 2020 (January) | CENL AI in Libraries Network established in 2020 (applied in 2019; accepted in 2020)– and launched a Survey on AI in Libraries in 2021 | 2021 CENL Survey report |
| 2020 (October) | International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) – Statement on Libraries and Artificial Intelligence | IFLA Statement PDF |
| 2020‑2021 | IFLA / IT Section – Formation of AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG) | IFLA AI SIG page |
| 2021 (March) | Conference of European National Librarians (CENL) – “AI in Libraries Network Group” formal action (survey, AI Cookbook, GitHub registry, webinars) | CENL “AI in Libraries” Network Group |
| 2022 (April) | Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) / ALA (U.S.) – Book: The Rise of AI: Implications and Applications of AI in Academic Libraries (ed. Wheatley & Hervieux) | |
| 2023–2024 (March 2024) | ACRL / ALA – Establishes “AI Competencies for Library Workers” Task Force under then‑President Dr. Leo S. Lo | ACRL |
| 2024 (April) | IFLA / Chile – 4th AI in Libraries Symposium (co‑hosted by IFLA IT Section & AI SIG) | News item |
| 2024 (April) | Association of Research Libraries (ARL, U.S.) – Research Libraries Guiding Principles for AI | ARL Page |
| 2024 (May) | ALA IRC UN SDG Subcommittee hosted: Generative A.I. supercharging the mission of libraries: risks and opportunities” during the days of the United Nations’ “AI for Good” | Recording |
| 2024 (Aug 5–9) | IFLA / Mexico – MexINFO 2024 Global Forum: Seminar on AI & Information Integrity (led by IFLA FAIFE + AI SIG) | Event page |
| 2024 | GPT‑4 Exploration Program (UNM) led by Leo S. Lo. “Transforming Academic Librarianship through AI Reskilling: Insights from the GPT-4 Exploration Program” | Paper |
| 2025 (April) | ALA (U.S.) – “Library of the Future Award” recognizes a library AI Task Force | News item |
| 2025 (April) | 2024 CENL Survey on Artificial Intelligence: Report | Report |
| 2025 (May) | ALA IRC UN SDG Subcommittee hosted: ”AI for Good: Empowering Libraries to Advance Equity, Access, and Innovation” | Recording |
| 2025 (June) | IFLA (Global) – Entry Point to Libraries and AI Document | IFLA Entry Point release |
| 2025 (Aug 14–15) | IFLA / Astana, Kazakhstan – Satellite Meeting: “AI, Bibliographic Control and Legal Matters” – IFLA Bibliography Section + IT Section + AI SIG | Event page |
| 2025 (September) | AI Knowledge Café in Prague, Czech Republic – Moderated by LGF, Chair IFLA Management of Library Associations | Report on MLAS site |
| 2025 (October) | CENL (Europe) – “Common Statement on the Management of Artificial Intelligence” | Statement |
| 2025 (October) | ACRL/ ALA ”AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers”
| Competencies |