Think first. Then generate.
After twenty years as an academic librarian and researcher studying how people find, evaluate, and trust information, I now help organizations and individuals develop the judgment to use AI well. The problem didn't change. The tools did.
Customized programs grounded in research, not vendor talking points.
See ServicesInteractive sessions that meet audiences where they actually are.
Book a TalkPractical skills and critical judgment in 60–90 minutes.
Find a WorkshopFor more than 25 years, I've helped people find, evaluate, and use information effectively. As a librarian, educator, researcher, and instructional designer, I've spent my career teaching critical thinking, information literacy, and digital fluency.
Today, those same skills are more important than ever. AI can generate answers instantly, but it cannot replace human judgment. Knowing how to use AI is important. Knowing how to evaluate what it produces is essential.
AI literacy is information literacy.
My instructional design expertise helps turn complex ideas into practical skills people can understand, apply, and use with confidence.
I hold a Master of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University and a Master of Education in Instructional Design from UMass Boston.
You're under pressure to build AI capability. The question is how.
Off-the-shelf training produces low adoption and no lasting change. Video courses don't build judgment. And most programs are designed by people who understand AI tools -- not by researchers who have spent twenty years studying how people actually learn to evaluate information. That's the difference here.
Full-cycle instructional design for AI literacy initiatives. Built on ACRL's Framework for Information Literacy and grounded in research on how adults actually learn.
Developing adoption strategies grounded in ethics, equity, and real workforce needs. The goal is building organizational judgment alongside the tools themselves.
Custom-designed or adapted from my existing catalog. Delivered in-person or virtually for staff training, faculty development, library programming, or professional association events.
If your library doesn't have an AI use policy, you're not behind, you're normal. Most haven't written one. We'll look at how AI is already showing up in your work, whether anyone's officially decided that or not, then walk through what a usable policy actually needs to cover. You'll see real examples (good and bad) and spend time drafting the skeleton of your own. Practical, not theoretical. You leave with a starting document, not homework.
Every session develops judgment, habits, and confidence — not just button-pressing skills. Available 60–90 minutes or half-day, in-person or virtual.
What AI tools can and can't do, how to get better results, and how to think critically about what they produce. No technical background needed.
A thinking workshop, not a prompting workshop. Practice evaluating AI outputs and applying information literacy habits to any source.
Building sharper fact-checking habits through practice with real examples of AI-generated misinformation.
Practical uses for resumes, cover letters, and interview prep alongside critical thinking habits that keep your voice intact.
How to navigate AI tools responsibly and guide patrons when they ask. Built specifically for library professionals.
The environmental footprint, labor conditions, and societal impacts behind the tools we use every day.
Turn any pile of documents into a conversation. Upload articles, reports, and notes, then ask questions, generate summaries, and produce audio overviews of your own material.
Spot scams before they spot you. We break down real-world examples, including a voice-clone scam and a phishing text, so you can see exactly how they work and what gives them away.
Visual thinking with AI. Start with a hand-drawn concept or rough notes, then use AI tools to turn that thinking into a structured strategy, outline, or pitch.
Academic and deep research with AI. Covers NotebookLM, Perplexity, SciSpace, and Consensus for literature review work, plus deep research modes for longer reports.
"Heather is an enthusiastic speaker on the use of AI as a tool rather than a replacement agent. She is very interactive with patrons and the audience. I definitely recommend her."Caroline Aversano
"Heather is a skilled and dedicated librarian. Her areas of expertise include emerging technologies, AI and information literacy, and instructional design. She would be an asset to any institution."Kelly Ross
"Heather is an exceptional team player, enthusiastic about her job and always implementing programs designed to help colleagues and faculty. Heather is a leader that makes those around her better."Dr. Sheena Howard
"Heather is a remarkably brilliant, engaged, and engaging colleague. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been able to work with and learn so much from her."Laurel Harris
"I've found her to be a knowledgeable, generous, and proactive colleague. She worked tirelessly to maximize resources for my students and would be a kind, creative member of any team she joined."Justin Burton
The staff training workshop was excellent!!! This is so important for every librarian/library staff to know."Bonnie
Whether you're planning a program, booking a speaker, or figuring out if a workshop is right for you — this is where to start.
