AI Literacy Framework

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has published a new AI Literacy Framework designed to guide AI literacy efforts across workforce development and education systems nationwide. The framework identifies five foundational content areas and seven delivery principles for AI literacy programming, and is intended as a flexible resource adaptable across industries, roles, and educational contexts.

Why This Matters for School Libraries

Though primarily workforce-oriented, the framework explicitly includes K–20 education systems — which means school libraries are in scope. A recent analysis from The AI School Librarian offers a close read (read the full analysis here).

Several of the framework’s content areas map directly onto existing school library practice. Evaluating AI outputs, for example, extends traditional information literacy into new territory. Using AI responsibly connects to long-standing work around data privacy, academic integrity, and ethical use of information.

The analysis also flags what the framework does not address: intellectual freedom, academic integrity tensions, algorithmic bias, and surveillance concerns in school settings. These are conversations that school librarians are well-positioned to lead.

Practically speaking, this framework may begin appearing in grant applications, CTE program alignment, state department guidance, and district policy language. Familiarity with its structure now puts library professionals in a stronger position to shape how AI literacy is implemented locally.

The full framework is available on the Department of Labor’s website. Stakeholders may also email [email protected] to provide feedback or register interest in an upcoming training webinar.

---

This post is taken from Suzi Tonini’s CSL News You Can Use newsletter, a weekly glance at school library events, professional learning, grants and more! You can subscribe to receive this newsletter yourself, and check out past issues as well. It is a great way to keep up on what is going on relating to school libraries.

Thanks Suzi, for this great resource!