Following up on a 2025 survey that explored how library workers use AI tools, the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) has released an in-depth informational analysis of focus groups that asked participants to share their experiences and perspectives on AI and machine learning in academic libraries.
Between January and June 2026, eighteen focus groups were held with nearly 130 volunteer participants from across the Ontario academic library community. Expanding on earlier survey findings, the focus group report provides a look into the ethical considerations, risks, and opportunities that library workers feel AI and machine learning tools offer in their day-to-day work and for students and researchers.
Findings across the focus groups highlight participants’ need for values-aligned AI use in academic libraries. For example, accessibility was raised as an area where AI’s benefits were both clearly tangible and strongly echo librarianship values, emphasizing the potential to expand access to information and reduce barriers for people with disabilities. Participants also expressed a desire for practical resources that could support informed AI evaluation and decision-making, as well as the importance of creating opportunities for dialogue and shared reflection across member libraries to help process personal perspectives on AI use and to learn from others.
Read the OCUL AI and Machine Learning Focus Group Report (PDF, 1.6MB)
In support of fostering dialogue, OCUL is hosting a member-only drop-in session on Tuesday, October 27 (1-2 p.m. Eastern Time). This online session will provide a space to connect with colleagues across the OCUL community, learn about key insights from the focus group report, and take part in an open conversation about the implications of AI use in the context of library work. Staff from OCUL member libraries can email ocul@ocul.on.ca for details to join the drop-in.
For More Information
For questions about the focus group report, please email OCUL AI and Machine Learning Program Manager, Kari D. Weaver: kari.weaver@ocul.on.ca.
Visit the AI and Machine Learning Initiative webpage for additional details about OCUL's AI and machine learning pilot projects and capacity building programming.