As we explored in AI in Libraries: Revolution or Risk? The Pros and Pitfalls Explained, AI offers clear benefits – but it also introduces new risks around accuracy, bias, and trust.
That tension is exactly why librarians matter more than ever.
Although AI is a powerful tool with a vast knowledge base, it is not authoritative. AI systems generate responses by identifying patterns in data, making them highly effective for speed, scale, and summarization – but not for judgement. Librarian expertise is essential to bridge this gap, providing the oversight AI cannot. With deep subject matter knowledge and strong critical thinking and literacy skills, Librarians evaluate AI results to ensure information is accurate, reliable, and within context.
In special libraries, where information underpins legal advice, policy decisions, research outcomes, and compliance, these skills are essential. AI can assist – but it cannot replace expert judgement.
When AI Gets It Wrong
A widely known limitation of how generative AI like ChatGPT works, is that Large Language Models like this can “hallucinate” – meaning they generate information that sounds plausible but is incomplete, misleading, or entirely incorrect. These models do not verify sources, understand credibility, or know when they’re wrong. But Librarians do.
They assess information sources, cross-check claims, validate citations, and apply professional standards to ensure information can be trusted. For example, an AI tool may confidently present a legal research reference that appears authoritative but is outdated or incorrectly cited – something only a librarian catches by verifying trusted sources before it’s used. In an AI-augmented environment, that role becomes even more important.
How Librarians Are Using AI Responsibly
Firstly, it’s important to clarify that Librarians are not resisting AI. Instead, they are using it critically and deliberately.
Common examples include:
- AI-assisted cataloguing and metadata – AI can suggest metadata at scale, but librarians review, correct, and contextualize it to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Search and discovery support – AI can surface relevant material quickly, while librarians ensure that results are authoritative, unbiased, and appropriate for the user’s purpose.
- Research and reference services – AI tools can help with initial discovery or summarization, but librarians step in when depth, nuance, or risk matters – particularly in legal, government, and corporate environments.
This mirrors what we see in initiatives like the Softlink IC’s AI Library Challenge, where AI is treated as an assistant, not an authority.
AI and Librarians: A Complementary Model
In practice, the strongest model is collaborative where AI handles repetitive, high-volume tasks, and Librarians provide oversight, judgement, and accountability.
This frees librarians to focus on higher-value work: complex research support, specialist collections, governance, and user engagement.
Softlink IC’s Manager of Sales & Business Development, Suzana Petrovic explains that “Libraries that treat AI as a replacement for professional expertise will increase risk. But libraries that treat AI as a tool that’s guided by librarians, will increase their impact.”
AI is here to stay. It brings genuine advantages to libraries and knowledge centres. But trust, accuracy, and context still depend on people.
Librarians ensure that information is verified, meaningful, and within context – especially in environments where getting it wrong has real consequences.
In the age of AI, librarians are not becoming less relevant. They are becoming indispensable, especially in Special Libraries in the legal, government, and research space. To know more about how librarians can management special library requirements with the help of AI, talk to one of Softlink IC’s team today about Liberty Digital.