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AI in BC ELN Resources

Background 

Artificial intelligence tools and capabilities are rapidly being integrated into library resources. This swift development and integration raises questions about: 

  • What generative AI tools already exist in vendor services and products, and what may be in development 

  • How to evaluate their usage and effectiveness for scholarly research; 

  • How to negotiate non-restrictive AI clauses with vendors; 

  • What resources exist for those wanting to learn about AI tools in vendor services and products, or for library workers wishing to learn more about critical AI literacy as a whole. These pages bring together BC ELN’s work to date on AI in licensed resources, and provide relevant information around these questions. 

These pages bring together BC ELN’s work to date on AI in licensed resources, and provide relevant information around these questions. Please note that several of these pages require a login. 

Approach

BC ELN first approached this work at the request of the BC ELN Steering Committee. BC ELN surveyed our vendors in Spring 2026 to clarify how generative AI is being used across their products and services licensed through BC ELN/eHLbc direct and Consortia Canada deals. The survey aimed to find out what generative AI components exist in vendor products, whether the use of these components is optional or mandatory, and whether the components are opt-in or enabled by default.   

To support staff at partner libraries in learning about and assessing generative AI tools in their products and services, BC ELN has also collected articles, documents, and toolkits on AI in licensed resources, as well as tips on and sample language for negotiating AI clauses in vendor licenses.  

Work Completed to Date

  • September/October 2026: Collected resources on AI in licensed resources and on AI literacy in academic libraries; revised and updated webpages to include these resources. 

  • September 2026: Began collecting responses for the second round of the Vendor Survey on Generative AI in BC ELN Licensed Resources. Updated results slated to be released in December 2026. 

  • July 2026: Released first-round survey results. 

  • April-July 2026: Reviewed and analyzed first-round survey results, adding notes on more recently released generative AI tools or services, or updates to initial responses where available. 

  • February-April 2026: Conducted first round of the Vendor Survey on Generative AI in BC ELN Licensed Resources.