Are you interested in the intersections of creation, copyright, intellectual property, and AI? Join the upcoming installment of the Beyond the Algorithm Reading Club and take part in community discussions on this complex topic.

In January, this Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) reading club will explore copyright and generative AI through the article, "The AI-Copyright Trap," and a recorded conversation between its author Dr. Carys Craig (York University) and OCUL AI and Machine Learning Program Director, Catherine Steeves. 

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) has formed a new AI Advisory Committee – an important step toward advancing the responsible use of AI across Ontario’s academic libraries.

Representing a range of university sizes and locations, this ad hoc committee will shape a longer-term plan for engagement with AI at the consortial level and assess the sustainability of OCUL’s current AI initiatives.

For academic librarians balancing teaching, service, and project work, managing tasks effectively is essential. AI-integrated productivity tools promise to help prioritize, organize, and even predict how long it might take to finish that ever-important task that's being avoided. But in practice, these tools are part experiment, part assistant, and part mirror.

As AI continues to transform the landscape of higher education, a new information exchange program hosted by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) provides an opportunity for member libraries to showcase their AI-related skills and help build a province-wide professional development community.

The Beyond the Algorithm Reading Club invites you to explore the intersection of AI literacy, values, and affect in academic library contexts. 

The November installment of this Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) reading club features interactive readings from the Domains of AI-Awareness for Education e-book, a recorded conversation with the e-book author Dani Dilkes, eLearning and Curriculum Specialist (Western University), and two opportunities for community discussion at upcoming online drop-ins. 

Supporting web development and digital research infrastructure are critical dimensions of work across academic libraries – and AI tools for coding are becoming vital to this work. But with so many different options and platforms to explore, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. 

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) is seeking nominations for two member roles on the Collection Assessment and Evaluation Subcommittee. 

Reporting to the OCUL Information Resources Committee, the subcommittee provides operational support and guidance in the evaluation of e-resource renewals and potential vendor deals. 

Subcommittee membership terms are typically staggered, with one- or two-year appointments to help ensure continuity.

Centered around a series of pilot projects, the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) continues its exploration of AI and machine learning’s responsible, ethical use in the academic library environment while building related knowledge and skills across the OCUL membership and beyond.

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) welcomes applications for the 2026 Visiting Researcher Program. This is an opportunity for library professionals from the OCUL membership to dedicate part of their research leave to a project that aligns with the consortium’s strategic priorities and/or academic library services or librarianship.