TALKING TO PATRONS ABOUT AI:
Practical Strategies for Everyday Interactions
An "AI Essentials" Webinar with Crystal Trice
OVERVIEW:
Patrons are asking about AI at the desk, in the classroom, and in one-on-one conversations, and the questions range from curious to confused to genuinely worried. You don't need to be an AI expert to respond well, but you do need clear language, a little preparation, and some confidence in how to handle the conversation. This one-hour webinar focuses on the practical, everyday interactions where library staff most need support: explaining AI simply and accurately on the fly, responding to skepticism or anxiety with empathy, and knowing what to say when a patron's question catches you off guard. You'll leave with real language you can use, not just frameworks to think about.
LEARNING AGENDA:
Explaining AI Simply and Accurately: Learn how to describe what AI is and how it works in plain, honest terms that hold up across a wide range of patron backgrounds and familiarity levels, without oversimplifying or overwhelming.
Responding to Common Patron Questions: Walk through the questions patrons are actually asking and practice language for answering them clearly, calmly, and without needing to know everything.
Meeting Patrons Where They Are: Gain strategies for responding to the full range of patron reactions to AI, whether they're excited, skeptical, confused, fearful, or already convinced they know more than you do, and turning any of those moments into a genuine, productive conversation.
Beyond the Desk: A brief look at how the same skills translate into programming and group learning contexts for libraries that want to go further.
This 60-minute online webinar is part of our "AI Essentials" Series. The recording and presentation slides will be available to all who register.
DATE: May 22nd, 2026, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm US - Eastern Time
COST:
- $99/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 admin@library20.com.
TO REGISTER:
Use the payment box above 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 admin@library20.com 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 admin@library20.com.
NOTE: please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email within a day.
SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email admin@library20.com to arrange):
- Multiple individual log-ins and access from the same organization paid together: $75 each for 3+ registrations, $65 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: $299.
- Large-scale institutional access for viewing with individual login capability: $499 (hosted either at Learning Revolution or in Niche Academy). Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
ALL-ACCESS PASSES: This webinar is not a part of the Safe Library All-Access program.
With over two decades of experience in libraries and education, Crystal Trice is passionate about helping people work together more effectively in transformative, but practical ways. As founder of Scissors & Glue, LLC, Crystal partners with libraries and schools to bring positive changes through interactive training and hands-on workshops. She is a Certified Scrum Master and has completed a Masters Degree in Library & Information Science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. She is a frequent national presenter on topics ranging from project management to conflict resolution to artificial intelligence. She currently resides near Portland, Oregon, with her extraordinary husband, fuzzy cows, goofy geese, and noisy chickens. Crystal enjoys fine-tip Sharpies, multi-colored Flair pens, blue painters tape, and as many sticky notes as she can get her hands on.
