Empowering Libraries with Microsoft Copilot: A Step into the Future of AI-Driven Learning
Libraries are not only champions of knowledge and learning but also pioneers of innovation, adapting new technology to enhance learning experiences. Microsoft Copilot is one of these transformative tools, designed to empower libraries and their patrons by leveraging artificial intelligence to make daily tasks easier. In this blog, we’ll explore how libraries can unlock new potential with Microsoft Copilot, from enhancing productivity to personalising engagement.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot acts as an AI assistant that helps with tasks like drafting content, summarising information, and generating images. With a work or school account, users can sign in for additional security with Enterprise Data Protection, making sure your work data is encrypted, and isn't used to train the foundation AI model.
This makes it a powerful tool for libraries, enabling them to do more, safely.
Key Features of Microsoft Copilot
- Ease of Use Across Platforms: Copilot is accessible online via a web browser within several Microsoft applications, including Teams, Outlook, and the Microsoft 365 app itself. This means library staff can tap into Copilot’s capabilities wherever they’re working.
- Enhanced Productivity: With Copilot’s ability to summarise long documents, web pages and generate concise reports, librarian staff can spend less time on manual data processing, leaving more room for engagement and innovation.
- Content Creation and Customisation: From drafting emails to social media posts, Copilot assists in creating personalised and engaging content. This is particularly useful for libraries, where clear communication with patrons is essential.
- Image Generation: Libraries can go beyond standard stock images by creating custom visuals through Copilot, enhancing their digital presence with unique, AI-generated imagery.
- Enterprise Data Protection: Signing in with work or school account, Microsoft Copilot respects existing data policies, protects data with encryption and only uses data as instructed. It adds Microsoft's safeguards and doesn't use prompts, responses or data to train the foundation models.
Readers Advisory
Need help finding the right book for a customer. Use your readers advisory skills to get information from the customer and get Copilot to help with recommending titles. It can search online for reviews and provide suggestions based on author, genre, or topics.
“Help me with a book recommendation. I'd like YA realistic fiction book set in Australia. It should have good online reviews and a rating of at last 3.5 on Goodreads.”
Kick off your creative content
If you need to promote, apply, share, report, or present as part of your work get Copilot to give you a head start. With a clear prompt of what you’re trying to achieve, Copilot can get you the first draft faster. If you have an existing document you can reference – even better. Upload a PDF or Word document to give Copilot additional context.
“I've attached the guidelines for a grant to run a youth program at our library. Help me complete the details in the selection criteria. Ask me clarifying questions one at a time for each of the criteria to complete the application”
Inspiration for library programs
Looking for ideas for great activities? Get Copilot to brainstorm with you and look online for examples. Maybe you already have an idea and need help bringing it to life? Get Copilot to help build out schedules and budgets in just a few prompts.
“I need to brainstorm ideas for library programs for youth aged 12-25. Help me build out a 4-session plan to inspire connection, reading, and creativity. The youth are really into Young Adult novels, and our goal is to improve literacy and encourage social connections. We’ll explore different themes throughout the sessions. We want to include guest speakers, a mix of different types, and make it a one-day event with different streams for people to attend. Please add timings, make the keynote 1 hour, and every other session 45 minutes.”
The Microsoft Copilot Mastery Program:
Training for Success
Libraries interested in diving deeper into Copilot’s capabilities can benefit from Microsoft’s Copilot Mastery Program, a five-part training series. This program covers foundational skills for using prompts, advanced content creation, reporting capabilities, and more, ensuring that library staff can maximise Copilot’s benefits in practical, impactful ways.
Click here to chat to us today about the Copilot Mastery program and more.
Take advantage of these great offers to empower your library
The Future is Here
As libraries continue to evolve, Microsoft Copilot stands as a transformative tool, making AI more accessible and useful. By improving customer service, enhancing content creation, and supporting learning initiatives, Copilot enables libraries to serve as modern knowledge hubs equipped for the future. With Microsoft Copilot, libraries are not just adopting technology—they’re embracing a new era of empowerment and innovation.
