Kate Hall is the executive director of the Northbrook Public Library, with more than two decades of experience in teen services, youth services, administration, and library leadership. Featured in Chapter 5, “Literacy Reborn,” of The AI Toolkit for Librarians, Kate brings a thoughtful public library perspective on how AI is changing information, staff work, patron support, and the way libraries help communities make sense of rapid change.

This conversation explores how librarians can approach AI through the lens of core values, accuracy, and lifelong learning. Kate discusses why prompt engineering connects naturally to the reference interview, how AI can support time management and administrative work, and why libraries need to create space for hands-on exploration, nuanced conversations, and responsible use. She also reminds librarians that success in a changing profession depends on curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning.