Innovative Tales: An AI-Driven Storytelling Work
Palo Alto City Library
Innovation Synopsis
Imagine writing a short film from start to finish using only Generative AI tools, and in less than 1 hour. This is the premise of our AI Storytelling workshop series which first started in 2023 and was recently redesigned in 2025 to use the latest generation of AI tools. Working in small groups over the course of an afternoon, this fun and innovative workshop series is designed to empower community members of all ages to engage with artificial intelligence in a creative setting. Over the past year this initiative which has reached nearly 100 participants and their projects have netted over 16 hours of total view time on our YouTube Channel.
Challenge/Opportunity
Digital Literacy Gap: AI Storytelling workshops address the need to enhance understanding and competence in emerging technologies, in particular Generative AI and multimodal LLM capabilities in a fun, project base learning activity.
Creative Engagement: These workshops also provide a platform for community members to explore creative expression through new tools and techniques which leverage the library collection for inspiration.
Ethical Awareness: Each workshop ends with a group discussion on the ethical implications and societal impact of AI in the creative process through direct experience with these tools and their limits.
Inclusive Access & Involvement: Our workshop setup encouraged a mixing and matching of different AI literacy levels by forming small groups based on their comfort level and familiarity with AI. This was a deliberate choice to ensure all ages and skill levels could contribute, even if it was just an idea or premise for the story.
Key Elements of Innovation
Structure & Implementation
• AI Storytelling 2.0: Hands-on workshops at the library/community center for all skill levels.
• Participants create stories using GenAI by combining text, voice, and images; includes 1 hour of instruction, 1 hour of project work, and group reflection.
Key Partners
• Workshop developed in-house, independent from AI software companies, promoting library neutrality.
• Showcasing full range of AI tools allows workshop setup to evolve over time.
Uniqueness and Cutting-edge Aspects
• Workshops focus on narrative creation with emerging AI tools via user-friendly walkthrough.
• Participants learn LLM capabilities, receive feedback from librarians, and create 1-2 minute videos using AI tools.
Innovation LIS
• Featured in Library Journal (https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/ai-and-the-public) and a ULC/University at Albany case study (https://www.ctg.albany.edu/).
• Promotes libraries as AI education hubs and bridges traditional literacy with digital lit.
Achieved Outcomes
Success Indicators & Metrics
• In 2025 our workshop was offered 4 times, quickly overbooking and moving to a larger space. Nearly 50% of our participants have never used AI tools or chatbots in the past—a great indication we're reaching our target audience.
• In Spring 2025, this setup was featured in a Library2.0 webinar with 200+ attendees followed by inquiries from multiple library systems on how to customize.
• Participants showcase their projects on our YouTube channel, with 29 unique AI-generated stories posted so far.
Customer and Staff Feedback
• Extremely positive feedback highlights the enjoyment and engagement patrons get from these workshops. A direct quote: "Thank you Nick, Melisa for your instruction! Its so interesting to complete a short story video in just an hour! And could be faster and faster as I get familiar with the tools. Thanks a million!"
• We also offered a staff "test run" early in the development the workshop to help identifying tech issues/FAQs.
