Libraries Open Forum Update: Research, Searching and AI
On 1 April 2026, we held a Libraries Open Forum in partnership with the Students’ Association. The focus was on students’ experiences of research, searching and views on Generative AI. This was a drop-in event with drinks and snacks available. 33 students stopped by to speak to us and more people added ping pong balls to tell us where they go first to find information.
We gathered feedback on which tools students use, what workshops would be helpful to them and student views on use of generative AI. We also asked students to map their typical research journey, focusing not only on what they usually do but how it makes them feel.
Library staff were on hand to chat about anything students wanted to bring up, alongside some of the Students’ Association officers, including the Arts & Divinity Faculty President, Maya Fenyk, as well as Amy McLaughlin, Academic Representation Co-ordinator, who helped plan and deliver the event.
Key findings were:
- Students are looking for further guidance on AI and when/how to make use of it appropriately
- Most students start with Google, but use that as a jumping off point to find other tools
- Many students feel overwhelmed at various points in their typical research journey
- There is a stigma attached to making use of AI tools that can make it difficult to be honest about how they are being used – we noticed a difference in how people voted with ping pong balls when we didn’t have someone accompanying the stand
In response we have:
- Passed on specific feedback on AI tools that students would like to use to colleagues in IT Services. Our IT colleagues note that all students have access to Copilot which is currently the recommended and supported tool
- Developed an “AI tools for Literature Searching” LibGuide, which signposts students to relevant University policies and provides information and advice on using AI for literature searching
- Scheduled LibrarySkills workshops in semester 1 covering finding credible sources for assignments and using AI tools for literature searching
We will also:
- Continue our investigations into what other libraries are offering in terms of AI literacy and develop content relevant to the context at St Andrews
- Reframe our support offer based on the findings from the journey maps and the areas where students would most benefit from input
- Continue our rollout of LibKeyNomad, a tool that will make it easier to get to library resources from Google and other sources
We really value all of the insights we gathered which help us to ensure that our services are shaped around your needs. The next Libraries Open Forum will be held in November – let us know if there’s something in particular you think we should be exploring in partnership with students.
If you’d like to get in touch to share your experience of using our services, you can use our quick feedback form. You’ll be given the option to enter our prize draw – vouchers for Topping & Co bookseller or Taste coffee shop are on offer – or you can complete it anonymously if you’d prefer. You can also email us at [email protected] at any time. We’re always happy to hear from you.