SLA Conference 2025 – AI in Libraries:Friend or Foe [TG4/SLA25]
Annual SLA Conference 2025 – AI in Libraries : Friend or Foe
cpd25 is pleased to bring you our annual SLA (Senior Library Assistant) Conference on 19th June 2025, designed for those who supervise staff, services or both. This is a popular and well-loved event, giving attendees the invaluable opportunity to meet and network in-person. This year will focus on Artificial Intelligence in libraries.
If you would like to contribute to the day by sharing a 5 minute presentation on how you have been motivated to use AI in your work please contact us at cpd25@london.ac.uk with details by Tuesday 10th June.
The event will be held at the London College of Fashion (Eastbank Olympic Park)
Founded in 1906, London College of Fashion, UAL is a leader in fashion design, media and business education. East Bank is the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
There will also be an opportunity to visit LCF Library, including the Materials library which contains extraordinary materials from a range of plant-based, paper, fabrics and textiles. During the lunch break, you are also welcome to look at any exhibitions in the building or explore the local area.
The conference will be in-person and will be a highly participative day with plenty of opportunities for networking – enabling attendees to share their experience and best practice. This event is open to all, but would benefit in particular Senior Library Assistants, Information Services Supervisors, Library Assistants, Information Assistants or their equivalent.
Programme:
9.30am Registration and coffee
10am Welcome and introduction
10.10am Keynote: ‘Practical and Ethical AI: Supporting Staff and Students in a Changing Library Landscape’, Dr Julie Wall, University of West London.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in higher education, libraries are at the forefront of navigating both its promises and its pitfalls. This session explores how frontline library staff can meaningfully engage with AI tools in ways that enhance service delivery without compromising ethics or equity.
Drawing on practical examples and real-world use cases, the talk will highlight how tools such as Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered chatbots can streamline everyday library tasks, from answering repetitive queries to generating help guides, summarising meetings, and supporting accessibility. At the same time, the session will stress the importance of responsible use, including awareness of bias, data protection, and the continued need for human oversight.
10.40am Coffee break
11am Library visit
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Delegate presentations (if you want to give one these of these 5 minute talks, please email cpd25@london.ac.uk after booking your place)
2pm Exchange of experience
2.35pm Tea/coffee break
2.50pm Interactive session exploring GenAI literacy. Led by LC Chung from Libraries & Collections, King’s College London.
This session creates a space to critically engage with generative AI tools through crafting inputs or questions, known as ‘prompts’, alongside considering the limitations in these tools and processes, including bias and sustainable practice.
By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:
- Understand what we mean by ‘genAI’.
- Engineer prompts for a variety of tasks
- Discuss the uses and limitations of genAI
3.50pm Closing comments
4pm End
Speaker biographies:
Dr Julie Wall is Professor of AI and Advanced Computing at the University of West London, where she leads work on applied machine learning and natural language processing. Her research focuses on developing responsible and accessible AI systems, with a particular interest in language technologies, AI ethics, and practical tools for education and public services.
Julie has played a key role in establishing the university’s Centre for AI and Natural Language Technologies (CAINT), and regularly collaborates with academic, industry, and public-sector partners on AI adoption in projects related to education, accessibility and the financial services. She is also a BSI expert contributing to the development of AI standards.
LC Chung is a Learning & Teaching Librarian at King’s College London Libraries and Collections, with a focus on information literacy and helping students make the most of the Library. Having designed and run workshops around Chemistry, Classics, Engineering and Health Sciences, LC is currently working with colleagues in King’s to create a new workshop on GenAI Literacy. She is particularly keen to explore pedagogical approaches and interactive ways to help today’s learners engage critically and curiously with new technologies and resources.
Cost:
£200 members
£400 non member institutions
Cost includes lunch and refreshments
Information for joining:
- Electronic CPD attendance certificates can be provided on request. Please request via cpd25@london.ac.uk
Cancellations less than one week before the event will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. In the event of a ‘no-show’ on the day, the full fee will be charged.
To book a place please use our online booking forms. Please remember to include your PO number as bookings cannot be confirmed without this.
If you would also like to contribute to the day by sharing a 5 minute presentation on how you have been motivated to use AI in your work, please email cpd25@london.ac.uk.