Education is changing quickly, and few topics bring as much excitement and worry as AI. Students are already using tools like ChatGPT to write, summarize and explore. For many teachers, this change can feel disruptive, generating concerns about assignments and academic honesty.
But what if this is not a brand-new problem? Maybe it is just a more complicated version of a challenge we have already started to tackle.
In 2023, New Jersey became the first state to mandate K-12 instruction in information literacy. The law requires students to learn how to identify when information is needed, locate it, evaluate it and use it ethically.
This new framework provides a path forward. AI literacy is not a separate initiative, but the next phase of information literacy.
The challenge remains the same
When a student types a question into an AI tool, they become both a creator and a careful reader of the information it creates. They need to ask: How was this made? Is the source trustworthy? Is the answer correct?
Although the tools have changed, the essential skills remain: students must think critically, evaluate sources and act responsibly. Within this new framework, librarians and educators should be explicitly teaching AI literacy, empowering students to critically assess algorithmgenerated information and understand the ethical use of AI.
The leadership of school librarians
This is where school librarians, also called school library media specialists, are essential. Information literacy is their focus. They are experts in research, checking sources and digital ethics, so they are well-suited to guide this change.
The law requires school library media specialists to participate in developing information literacy curricula, which demonstrates the collaborative nature of this work. Librarians contribute expertise in research, evaluation and ethical information use, while teachers provide content knowledge and instructional context.
Librarians and educators don’t need to wait for a separate AI curriculum. They can integrate AI literacy into current lessons and activities right away. This can take several forms:
- Co-teaching and collaboration: Librarians can work with teachers to plan and teach research units that cover the responsible use of AI tools. The focus should be on how students think, not just on the final result.
- Curriculum design: Librarians can help teachers create real-world assignments that highlight creativity, critical thinking and the integration of ideas. These are tasks where AI can help but cannot do everything.
- Professional learning: Librarians are great leaders for professional development. They can guide other teachers on how to use AI well, how to spot AI-generated work and, most importantly, how to teach with these new tools.
- The purpose of education is still the same: To help students become thoughtful, informed and responsible people. AI has not changed this goal, only the setting has. By building on information literacy and supporting our school librarians, we can ensure every student is ready not just to use AI, but also to understand and evaluate the information it generates.