Artificial intelligence is already shaping how libraries communicate with their communities. The real question many librarians are asking is not whether to use AI, but how to use it responsibly and effectively without compromising trust. That challenge was at the heart of the recent Library Works webinar, Using AI Tools in Library Marketing, led by library consultant and author David Lee King.
If you missed the live session or want to revisit the insights, the webinar recording is now available. It offers practical guidance for librarians who want to move beyond the hype and start using AI as a supportive tool rather than a risky shortcut.
Why librarians are paying attention to AI now
According to the Pulse of the Library Survey 2025, 67%* of libraries are exploring artificial intelligence. At the same time, many staff members report uncertainty about where AI fits into daily marketing and outreach work. Librarians are rightly cautious. The question is not whether humans should remain in the loop. They must. Accuracy, accessibility, privacy and community trust remain non-negotiable values.
This webinar acknowledged those concerns directly. Rather than promoting AI as a replacement for professional judgment, David Lee King framed it as a way to work smarter, spark ideas and support better decision making. Throughout the session, the focus stayed firmly on real library use cases.
What the webinar covered
The webinar walked through a wide range of AI supported activities that align closely with everyday library marketing needs.
Content creation and writing support
AI can help with first drafts, outlines, summaries and brainstorming. For busy marketing teams, this means spending less time staring at a blank page and more time refining messages for clarity and relevance. Several examples showed how AI can assist with blog posts, service descriptions and promotional copy while still requiring human review and editing.
Website design and content planning
AI tools can support website refresh projects by helping librarians think through structure, navigation and content priorities. When paired with tools like Vega WebBuilder, AI assisted content writing can make it easier to create clear service pages, update outdated content and improve the overall user experience without increasing technical complexity.
Email writing and campaign support
Email remains one of the most effective ways libraries connect with their communities, yet it is also one of the most time consuming. The webinar highlighted how AI can support email writing by helping librarians draft subject lines, structure messages and adapt content for different audiences.
This approach is built directly into Vega Promote, where AI can assist librarians in creating clear, engaging email campaigns without losing their voice. Instead of starting from scratch, staff can generate a solid first draft, refine tone and focus on what matters most: making sure the message reflects library values and community needs. For small teams especially, this kind of support can make email marketing more consistent, timely and manageable.
SEO and discoverability
The session highlighted how AI tools can assist with keyword research and search optimization, helping library websites surface more easily when patrons are looking for services, programs or resources. Importantly, these tools were presented as guides rather than guarantees, reinforcing the need for librarian oversight.
Social media strategy and execution
From drafting post variations to summarizing long content for social channels, AI can help librarians work more efficiently across platforms. The webinar emphasized adapting content to fit the strengths of each channel rather than posting the same message everywhere.
Images, accessibility, and alt text
AI generated alt text and image suggestions were discussed as time saving supports, especially for teams committed to accessibility standards. As always, human review remains essential to ensure accuracy and context.
A realistic approach to AI policies
One of the most valuable sections of the webinar focused on AI policies in libraries. David shared examples of existing library guidelines that emphasize transparency, staff training, and ethical use. These policies reinforce an important point. AI tools should support library work without compromising privacy, ownership or trust.
Clear policies also give staff confidence. When expectations are defined, teams can experiment thoughtfully rather than avoid AI altogether or use it inconsistently.
Why This Webinar Matters for Library Marketing Today
The recording offers more than a list of tools. Librarians will come away with:
- A clearer understanding of where AI adds real value in marketing work
- Practical examples grounded in library contexts
- Guidance on balancing efficiency with accuracy and care
- Ideas for integrating AI into existing workflows rather than overhauling everything at once
- Insight into how tools like Vega WebBuilder and Vega Promote support modern library marketing
Throughout the session, one idea comes through clearly. AI does not replace the work librarians do. It helps them get to better results faster, with intention and care.
Watch the webinar recording
If AI feels overwhelming or risky, this webinar provides a calm, informed starting point. It respects the complexity of library work while offering concrete ways forward.
Watch the full recording of “Using AI Tools in Library Marketing” to explore practical strategies, real examples and expert guidance you can apply right away. The session is especially valuable for librarians responsible for websites, email campaigns, social media, and outreach who want to work smarter without losing their professional voice.
Watch the webinar recording now or bookmark it for later!
You may also want to explore how Vega WebBuilder and Vega Promote support library teams with AI informed website, email, and marketing workflows. Get started today!
*Source: Pulse of the Library Survey 2025