INSIGHT ‘‘ T
Health librarians are uniquely positioned to help organisations navigate the opportunities and risks of AI.
Toni Catt, Library and Knowledge Service Manager, NHS A&A Library and Knowledge Services. She is Co-CPD Lead for HLG.
HIS phrase, “a library is a hospital for the mind” has stayed with me throughout ICML 2026 and neatly cap- tures the value of libraries
in supporting people to flourish. This was my first international conference and although colleagues worldwide face different local challenges, I was struck by the experiences we share. Across sectors and countries, we are managing uncertainty, staffing pressures, and limited resources, while seeking innovative solutions, adopting new technologies thoughtfully and staying true to our professional values. A benefit of an in-person conference is the valuable learning that happens outside the formal programme: conversations over coffee or between dances at a Ceilidh. Some informal chats were as insightful as scheduled presentations and reminded me of the importance of creating space for shared reflection.
The programme showcased innovative work and useful tools, all aiming to find evidence faster and more effectively. With such a packed programme, I look forward to revisiting the recordings. Of the sessions I attended, several themes resonated with me.
Why AI matters
Whether we welcome it or not, artificial intelligence is embedded in our information landscape. Several speakers focused on how AI is being used in libraries and healthcare settings, and the role we play in supporting its use.
Several presentations discussed prompt- engineering and AI-supported search strategy development, particularly where searchers have limited subject knowledge. AI can help identify alternative terms, including terms used by minority communities or language that has evolved over time, strengthening search strategies. However, AI can hallucinate, suggesting terms that do not exist. The librarian’s expertise remains essential in validating and refining outputs.
Our support for AI should be designed August-September 2026
it for accuracy and bias. By working across sectors, we can share this expertise more widely and develop practical approaches that meet people where they are, culturally and contextually. In doing so, we become information intermediaries, connecting evidence with the person who needs it.
Imrana Ghumra, speaker at ICML 2026.
around user needs. Before introducing training or guidance, we need to understand users’ confidence and competence, ensuring our interventions are relevant to the individual.
Health librarians are uniquely positioned to help organisations navigate the opportunities and risks of AI. With expertise in critical appraisal, evidence evaluation and information literacy, we can act as informed decision-making partners: identifying bias, assessing outputs and encouraging responsible use. We also have a role in developing AI literacy, helping colleagues and service users understand how to use AI and where its limitations lie.
Supporting Health Literacy Health literacy was another prominent theme. Speakers highlighted opportunities for health librarians to work alongside clinicians, third-sector organisations, patient groups and public libraries as part of a broader approach to information literacy.
Professor Steve Buchanan’s excellent keynote (
https://tinyurl.com/IPSS26ICML) explored information behaviour. Misinformation is a complex challenge, and people’s ability to evaluate information is shaped not only by their skills but by their beliefs and motivations. Information overload can further complicate things, leading people to disengage. Finally, despite an increasingly “digital first” approach, some people continue to face digital exclusion. Librarians have long supported people not only to find information but to appraise
Learning from other sectors One of the most relevant reflections for me concerned transferable skills. My colleague and I presented on this topic. Following the pandemic, our service needed a refresh to re-engage users and reinvigorate the library environments. Several team members previously worked in public libraries, and we drew on that experience. We focused on user experience: how our spaces felt, how people used them and how to make them more welcoming. We applied digital marketing skills through newsletters and social media, using humour to engage a diverse audience. We shifted from relying solely on statistics to creating case studies that illustrate real-world impact. Several speakers reinforced the importance of understanding our audiences and building meaningful relationships. Effective partnerships are not a one-off achievement but an ongoing process, requiring trust and regular engagement to maximise benefit.
Key takeaways My strongest takeaway from ICML 2026 is the importance of learning from one another. Whether we work in health, public, academic or specialist libraries, we share a common purpose: helping people find the information they need and develop the skills to use it effectively. Collaboration across sectors strengthens our profession and helps us respond to shared challenges. Most importantly, the conference reminded me that there is always something new to learn. As library professionals, our greatest strength may be our willingness to remain curious, adaptable and open to new ideas. If we do that, together we flourish. IP
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