Raymond Uzwyshyn
Associate University Librarian for Research and Technology and Director of Research Services
University of California, Riverside
Academic libraries today face the challenge of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse service areas while maintaining traditional cyberinfrastructure excellence. How do institutions strategically position themselves for AI transformation without fragmenting existing research and technology services or creating isolated initiatives?
The University of California, Riverside Libraries launched a first phase of an AI re-centering of Research and Technology Services infrastructures in September 2024, designed to bridge traditional library systems with emerging technologies. Rather than treating AI as a separate initiative, UCR is integrating AI capabilities across its full Division of Research and Technology Services, encompassing cyberinfrastructure, Digital Scholarship, GIS, Makerspace and Robotics Labs, poster printing, and medical school services.
Their strategic hiring approach prioritizes cross-functional expertise: one data/AI research scientist and two AI research Llibrarians, with additional AI-related positions in development. This staffing model enables AI integration across disciplinary boundaries rather than within silos.
First-year implementations demonstrate this approach’s versatility and impact. Projects range from humanities applications—such as AI-aided subject clustering for faculty historical research support—to technical collaborations including data labeling and machine learning for faculty self-driving vehicle research.The team has embedded AI methodologies into existing programs like summer robotics camps and developed new initiatives including GIS-based medical school AI projects and GIS AI-oriented postdoctoral colloquia.
These efforts connect to a broader AI literacy framework, moving in tandem with workshop delivery to curriculum integration and faculty research collaboration.
This briefing will focus on strategic questions facing academic libraries: How do institutions balance AI innovation with core service maintenance? What staffing models support interdisciplinary AI integration? What organizational structures facilitate cross-unit collaboration?
Uzwyshyn, R. Chapter 9: Building Academic Research Library
Artificial Intelligence Capacity” New Horizons for AI in Libraries, De
Gruyter, 2025. Open Access Link:
https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111336435-010/html
Entire Text (Open Access, Courtesy IFLA Funding).
https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111336435/html
