New Workshop: "AI for Archiving"

Steve Hargadon Blog · 4 months ago · 95 views

AI for Archiving A Library 2.0 / Learning Revolution Workshop with Reed Hepler OVERVIEW Archives and special collections face unprecedented challenges and opportunities as artificial intelligence transforms how we preserve, process, and provide access to historical materials. This workshop addresses the practical realities archivists and special collections librarians encounter when integrating AI tools into their workflows—from appraisal and accessioning to metadata creation and public engagement. Participants will examine how AI can support archival functions without compromising the fundamental principles of provenance, authenticity, and contextual integrity that define professional archival practice. The session will explore specific use cases where AI collaboration enhances efficiency and access while maintaining the critical human judgment necessary for ethical stewardship of cultural heritage materials. The workshop emphasizes objective-centered practices that archivists can implement immediately in their institutions. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to generate preliminary finding aids, create descriptive metadata, analyze collection strengths for appraisal decisions, and develop interpretive materials for exhibits and digital collections. Each application will be examined through the lens of archival ethics and professional standards, ensuring that AI serves as a collaborative tool rather than an autonomous decision-maker. The session will address concerns about AI-generated hallucinations in historical contexts and demonstrate verification strategies to protect against the distortion of historical narratives. Participants will also explore how AI can support patron services, including enhanced discovery systems and transcription projects, while maintaining the archivist's role as mediator between researchers and primary sources. By the conclusion of this workshop, participants will possess a framework for evaluating AI feasibility in archival contexts and a toolkit of specific applications they can adapt to their institutional needs. Attendees will leave with conversation templates for common archival tasks, a decision matrix for determining when AI collaboration is appropriate, and strategies for maintaining human-centered practices in AI-assisted workflows. The workshop will also address how archivists can teach patrons to critically evaluate AI-generated historical information, positioning archives professionals as essential guides in an era when historical narratives are increasingly mediated by algorithmic systems. Participants will understand how to leverage AI capabilities while preserving the intellectual work that distinguishes professional archival practice from mere digitization. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  Evaluate the appropriateness of AI tools for specific archival functions (appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, access) using professional standards and ethical frameworks Apply AI collaboration techniques to create metadata records, finding aids, and interpretive materials while maintaining archival principles of provenance and original order Implement verification protocols that protect against AI hallucinations and ensure the accuracy of AI-assisted historical research and description Design patron-facing services and instruction that help researchers critically evaluate AI-generated historical information and understand the irreplaceable role of archival expertise The recording and presentation slides will be available to all who register.  DATE: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, 2:00 - 3:30 pm US - Eastern Time COST: $129/person - includes live attendance and any-time access to the recording and the presentation slides and receiving a participation certificate. To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email [email protected]. TO REGISTER:  Click HERE to register and pay. You can pay by credit card. You will receive an email within a day with information on how to attend the webinar live and how you can access the permanent webinar recording. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to [email protected] with the name and email address of the actual attendee. If you need to be invoiced or pay by check, if you have any trouble registering for a webinar, or if you have any questions, please email [email protected]. NOTE: Please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email within a day. SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email [email protected] to arrange): Multiple individual log-ins and access from the same organization paid together: $99 each for 3+ registrations, $75 each for 5+ registrations. Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins. The ability to show the webinar (live or recorded) to a group located in the same physical location or in the same virtual meeting from one log-in: $399. Large-scale institutional access for viewing with individual login capability: $599 (hosted either at Learning Revolution or in Niche Academy). Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins. REED C. HEPLER Reed Hepler is a digital initiatives librarian, instructional designer, copyright agent, artificial intelligence practitioner and consultant, and PhD student at Idaho State University. He earned a Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from Idaho State University in 2025. In 2022, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, with emphases in Archives Management and Digital Curation from Indiana University. He has worked at nonprofits, corporations, and educational institutions encouraging information literacy and effective education. Combining all of these degrees and experiences, Reed strives to promote ethical librarianship and educational initiatives. Currently, Reed works as a Digital Initiatives Librarian at a college in Idaho and also has his own consulting firm, heplerconsulting.com. His views and projects can be seen on his LinkedIn page or his blog, CollaborAItion, on Substack. Contact him at [email protected] for more information.   MORE UPCOMING EVENTS:    May 19, 2026  May 22, 2026  May 29, 2026

AI for Archiving
A Library 2.0 / Learning Revolution Workshop with Reed Hepler

OVERVIEW

Archives and special collections face unprecedented challenges and opportunities as artificial intelligence transforms how we preserve, process, and provide access to historical materials. This workshop addresses the practical realities archivists and special collections librarians encounter when integrating AI tools into their workflows—from appraisal and accessioning to metadata creation and public engagement. Participants will examine how AI can support archival functions without compromising the fundamental principles of provenance, authenticity, and contextual integrity that define professional archival practice. The session will explore specific use cases where AI collaboration enhances efficiency and access while maintaining the critical human judgment necessary for ethical stewardship of cultural heritage materials.

The workshop emphasizes objective-centered practices that archivists can implement immediately in their institutions. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to generate preliminary finding aids, create descriptive metadata, analyze collection strengths for appraisal decisions, and develop interpretive materials for exhibits and digital collections. Each application will be examined through the lens of archival ethics and professional standards, ensuring that AI serves as a collaborative tool rather than an autonomous decision-maker.

The session will address concerns about AI-generated hallucinations in historical contexts and demonstrate verification strategies to protect against the distortion of historical narratives. Participants will also explore how AI can support patron services, including enhanced discovery systems and transcription projects, while maintaining the archivist's role as mediator between researchers and primary sources.

By the conclusion of this workshop, participants will possess a framework for evaluating AI feasibility in archival contexts and a toolkit of specific applications they can adapt to their institutional needs. Attendees will leave with conversation templates for common archival tasks, a decision matrix for determining when AI collaboration is appropriate, and strategies for maintaining human-centered practices in AI-assisted workflows. The workshop will also address how archivists can teach patrons to critically evaluate AI-generated historical information, positioning archives professionals as essential guides in an era when historical narratives are increasingly mediated by algorithmic systems. Participants will understand how to leverage AI capabilities while preserving the intellectual work that distinguishes professional archival practice from mere digitization.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

• Evaluate the appropriateness of AI tools for specific archival functions (appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, access) using professional standards and ethical frameworks
• Apply AI collaboration techniques to create metadata records, finding aids, and interpretive materials while maintaining archival principles of provenance and original order
• Implement verification protocols that protect against AI hallucinations and ensure the accuracy of AI-assisted historical research and description
• Design patron-facing services and instruction that help researchers critically evaluate AI-generated historical information and understand the irreplaceable role of archival expertise

The recording and presentation slides will be available to all who register. 

DATE: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, 2:00 - 3:30 pm US - Eastern Time

COST:

• $129/person - includes live attendance and any-time access to the recording and the presentation slides and receiving a participation certificate. To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email [email protected].

TO REGISTER: 

Click HERE to register and pay. You can pay by credit card. You will receive an email within a day with information on how to attend the webinar live and how you can access the permanent webinar recording. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to [email protected] with the name and email address of the actual attendee.

If you need to be invoiced or pay by check, if you have any trouble registering for a webinar, or if you have any questions, please email [email protected].

NOTE: Please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email within a day.

SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email [email protected] to arrange):

• Multiple individual log-ins and access from the same organization paid together: $99 each for 3+ registrations, $75 each for 5+ registrations. Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
• The ability to show the webinar (live or recorded) to a group located in the same physical location or in the same virtual meeting from one log-in: $399.
• Large-scale institutional access for viewing with individual login capability: $599 (hosted either at Learning Revolution or in Niche Academy). Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.

REED C. HEPLER

Reed Hepler is a digital initiatives librarian, instructional designer, copyright agent, artificial intelligence practitioner and consultant, and PhD student at Idaho State University. He earned a Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from Idaho State University in 2025. In 2022, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, with emphases in Archives Management and Digital Curation from Indiana University. He has worked at nonprofits, corporations, and educational institutions encouraging information literacy and effective education. Combining all of these degrees and experiences, Reed strives to promote ethical librarianship and educational initiatives.

Currently, Reed works as a Digital Initiatives Librarian at a college in Idaho and also has his own consulting firm, heplerconsulting.com. His views and projects can be seen on his LinkedIn page or his blog, CollaborAItion, on Substack. Contact him at [email protected] for more information.

 

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

 May 19, 2026

 May 22, 2026

 May 29, 2026