Library joins AI4LAM, a collaboration to advance AI best practices in cultural heritage institutions

Yale Library is committed to providing reliable tools and responsible guidance on the scholarly applications of artificial intelligence (AI). To further that goal, the library has joined AI4LAM as a founding member.

AI4LAM is a new international organization that connects libraries, archives, and museums (LAM) to enable them to share knowledge and build collective capacity around AI. Initiated by the National Library of Norway and Stanford University Libraries in 2018, the organization was formally established in December 2025.

On March 6, 2026,  Barbara Rockenbach, Yale’s Stephen F. Gates ’68 University Librarian, signed the memorandum of understanding, joining Yale Library with more than 40 other leading international cultural heritage institutions—including Harvard University, the British Library, the Library of Congress, and the Bibliothèque nationale de France. AI4LAM members collaborate to promote and share secure, ethical, and innovative AI applications that will support the work of educators, researchers, and other users of institutional AI resources.

Fit and benefits

When Jonathan Manton, the library’s director of Digital Special Collections and Access, first learned about AI4LAM, he saw it was a strategic fit for Yale Library’s growing AI initiatives. He recognized that the organization’s values aligned with the library’s—particularly in their shared commitment to responsible AI in cultural heritage stewardship. He also saw the value in joining the organization as a founding member alongside peer institutions that include Harvard and Stanford universities.

After conducting due diligence on AI4LAM membership terms and governance, Manton made a proposal to library leadership, which led to Rockenbach’s decision to sign the memorandum of understanding, making Yale Library a partner in the collaborative community.

“Yale Library is investing in AI across four strategic areas,” said Lauren Di Monte, associate university librarian for Research and Learning, “building AI fluencies, research services, enhanced access and discovery, and staff learning and development. Through AI4LAM, we can share knowledge and learn alongside peer institutions doing the same work.”

Yale staff members can participate in the organization’s Working Groups and Program Chapters to explore AI applications—such as handwritten-text recognition—and access cutting-edge tools and the expertise of global peers. They can also access and contribute to “Awesome AI for LAM,” a curated list of resources, projects, and tools for using AI. As members of AI4LAM, Yale Library staff will help establish ethical guidelines and technical frameworks that set standards for expanding collection access and enhancing research capabilities.

AI4LAM member organizations have voting rights in governance, are eligible to serve in leadership, and regularly exchange ideas and information through AI Academy programming, monthly Community Calls, and annual Fantastic Futures conferences. The next Fantastic Futures conference is September 15–17 in Washington, DC—hosted by the Library of Congress, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution.

The organization, governed by a Board of Directors, is led by Secretary General Dr. Ines Vodopivec, vice dean at Nova University in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and a specialist in interdisciplinary methodologies and digital humanities.

AI at Yale Library

Yale Library supports the ethical and effective use of AI to improve research, teaching, and learning. It offers members of the campus community AI guidance, resources, and AI-powered tools to broaden access to collections, facilitate work with data, and unlock new research possibilities. Library staff helps researchers locate and access resources, build AI fluencies, and evaluate the quality and reliability of AI systems.

Yale Library is committed to the ongoing development of staff expertise in AI use. It is also an active collaborator with local and global communities of practice and organizations like AI4LAM to support the cultural heritage sector worldwide. 

View the schedule for the Fantastic Futures Conference, September 15–17. The deadline for proposal submissions is April 6.

Learn more about AI resources at Yale Library.

Learn more about AI at Yale and the campus-wide “From Innovation to Impact” symposium in Kline Tower on April 28.

—Deborah Cannarella

Images: University Librarian Barbara Rockenbach signs memorandum of understanding with AI4LAM as Lauren Di Monte and Jonathan Manton look on; Secretary General Ines Vodopivec joined the others for the signing event via Zoom; photos and composite image of split videoscreens by Harold Shapiro