AI as a guest · Library staff

An AI assistant for everyday library work

Prepare an event announcement, a plain-language version and a translation draft while keeping a librarian in charge of publication.

Original Host a Culture editorial guide · Version 1 · 2026-09-30 · Not yet trialled in a library

Before you start

Suggested session: 30 minutes

One staff computer, an institution-approved text tool and fictional event details. No new hardware is required for this exercise.

Intended outcome: A reviewed announcement and a record of what the tool changed or invented.

Run the activity

Prepare a source card · 5 minutes

Use this fictional event: River Library, Story Circle, 18 October 2026 at 14:00, duration 45 minutes, free entry, contact: events@example.test. No venue address or accessibility arrangements have been confirmed. Keep these unknowns visible.

Produce a first draft · 10 minutes

Ask for an 80-word announcement using only the source card. Then request a plain-language version and a draft in a second language. Keep the original beside every output.

Review every material detail · 10 minutes

Check name, date, time, price, duration and contact against the source. Remove invented addresses, booking requirements or accessibility promises. A fluent second-language speaker should review the translation; otherwise retain it as a draft.

Decide and record · 5 minutes

Record tool/version, date, languages, corrections and total time including review. Publish only after the responsible staff member checks the result. A short generation time alone is not evidence of time saved.

Working template

Using only the fictional event card below, write an announcement of at most 80 words. Do not invent missing facts. List unanswered questions separately. Then produce a plain-language draft. Source card: [paste the fictional event details].

Check the result

Every published factual detail matches the source card.
Unknowns remain questions rather than invented assurances.
Translation quality has a named human reviewer before publication.
No patron records, credentials or unpublished manuscripts were submitted.

Limits of this guide

This is an editorial workflow proposal, not a benchmark of any named product. Tool terms, prices and language quality must be checked for the selected version.