What we’ll work on together
This CoP is for staff in CAUL member institutions across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand who are sitting in the “AI meets library practice” zone. That might be collections and discovery, teaching and learning, research support, digital infrastructure, governance, or capability building. If AI is already brushing up against your day-to-day work, this is your crowd.
This AI in Academic Libraries CoP is focused on:
- Strategic intelligence and advice. We share what’s emerging, what’s working, and where the pressure points are in our library AI context. We’ll compare approaches, connect people doing similar work, and translate practice into clear signals for CAUL and our member institutions.
- Capability and practice. We build confidence where AI intersects with day-to-day library workflows. We’ll share practical examples, “how we did it” notes, provide library contextualised learning pathways and other peer practice opportunities.
- Shared resources and service framings. We reduce duplication by creating and curating AI related artefacts like guides, checklists, and templates. We share service frames (what we offer / what’s out of scope in an AI context) that help libraries respond consistently.
- Licensing and governance. We compare what’s changing as vendors roll out AI new or modified features, settings, product roadmaps. Strengthening our collective position by tracking shifts in usage rights and other terms and conditions.
Across all streams of focused work, we keep responsible, human-centred practice in view. This includes ethics, Indigenous perspectives, equity, and sustainability.
Convenors
- Kat Cain: Lead, Outreach & Engagement and Library AI Lab Co-Lead (Deakin University)
- Lyndelle Gunton: Coordinator, Information Research Skills (Queensland University of Technology)
Working group members
- Kat Cain: Lead, Outreach & Engagement and Library AI Lab Co-Lead (Deakin University)
- Lyndelle Gunton: Coordinator, Information Research Skills (Queensland University of Technology)
- Erin Montagu, Murdoch University
- Tracey Sim, University of Otago
- Krista Yuen, University of Waikato
- Mervyn Lim, Monash University
- Fiona Jones, University of Newcastle
- Brendan Robinson, Adelaide University
- Loretta Atkinson, The University of Queensland
CoP membership and participation
Eligibility
Membership is open to identified representatives from CAUL member institutions.
How to get involved
After the initial 2026 invitation to member institutions, new participants can join on an ongoing basis. To be added as a CoP member, speak with your Library leadership team to be put forward via CAUL pathways.
What participation looks like
Most members contribute 2-4 hours per month, depending on which streams of work they choose to be involved in. At a minimum, participation includes attending the monthly CoP meeting and staying engaged in CoP conversations.
Members can also opt into deeper involvement by contributing to one or more work streams (e.g., drafting shared resources, contributing examples, or helping shape sector advice).
How we stay connected
We stay connected through a mix of live touchpoints and between-meeting channels:
- Monthly CoP meeting for updates and peer practice sharing
- Online community space for ongoing conversation, resource sharing, and workstream collaboration
- Email list for questions, sharing, and quick sector-wide check-ins (non-CoP members can join this list)
- Stream-based working as needed (small-group sessions, co-authoring, or short bursts of activity)
Want to know more
Read the AI in Academic Libraries CoP Charter for purpose, principles, scope, streams of work, and how the group operates.
A trial year, shaped by practice
The CAUL Board has endorsed this CoP for an initial 12-month trial. At the end of 2026, a CoP review and recommendations process will determine what’s working and whether to continue, pivot or wrap up. The need for and longevity of this AI in Academic Libraries CoP ongoing will be based on real sector value and practical evaluation, not just good intentions.