Discover the Wonders of AI with Hendrik van Zwol at Hoeksche Waard Library
nieuw-beijerland, dinsdag, 28 oktober 2025.
On Tuesday 18 November the Hoeksche Waard Library is organising a unique AI inspiration evening with Hendrik van Zwol, known as the AI Magician. The evening promises an interactive and visual experience, showing AI in creative and practical ways in everyday life. Hendrik, known for his appearance on Eva Jinek’s programme, combines humour and wonder to make the world of artificial intelligence accessible to everyone.
Local occasion: an interactive AI evening in Nieuw-Beijerland
On Tuesday 18 November the Hoeksche Waard Library is hosting an AI inspiration session in which Hendrik van Zwol — known as the ‘AI Magician’ and visible in national media — will guide visitors through practical and creative applications of artificial intelligence, with attention to ethics and privacy [1]. This event is part of a broader AI-month programme within the library, intended to engage a wide audience with new technologies and to encourage low-threshold introductions [1].
Why libraries embrace AI
Libraries are looking for ways to modernise their services and provide the public with better access to information; AI can help by automating repetitive tasks, improving search and serving users in a more personalised way [GPT][1]. In local programming such as the Hoeksche Waard Library’s AI evening the emphasis is on accessibility and public education, so that residents become familiar with both the possibilities and the risks of AI [1].
AI-driven search systems: faster finding, a different search experience
AI-driven search algorithms can deliver more relevant search results by using natural language processing and semantic matching, which is especially helpful for users who have unclear or complex search queries [GPT]. For libraries this means users can find relevant books, articles and digital resources more quickly without needing deep knowledge of keywords or catalogues [GPT]. Local sessions such as the one in Nieuw-Beijerland demonstrate this kind of user-friendly search experience to a broad audience [1].
Personalised recommendations: from algorithm to reading advice
Personalisation algorithms can give members tailored book recommendations based on loan history, ratings and reading preferences, which can increase engagement and repeat visits [GPT]. At the same time personalisation raises questions about transparency: users should be able to understand why a recommendation is made and have the option to adjust or disable preferences [GPT]. The Hoeksche Waard Library uses public-facing AI activities to make these trade-offs discussable during public sessions [1].
Automatic cataloguing and metadata: efficiency with care
Automatic cataloguing with AI can extract metadata from digital files and OCR results, suggest labels and speed up classification — benefits for large collections and digitisation projects [GPT]. This increases the speed at which resources become accessible, but requires accurate oversight: incorrect or biased labels can affect discoverability and the representation of material [GPT]. Public debates and demonstrations about AI in libraries, such as those around Hendrik van Zwol’s presentations, emphasise the importance of human supervision with such systems [1].
Digital assistants and chatbots: 24/7 help with limits
Chatbots and digital assistants can handle simple information queries, provide opening hours, and assist with reservations or catalogue questions, giving staff more time for complex tasks [GPT]. These systems require clear fallback routes to humans and transparency about when users are interacting with AI and which data are used or stored [GPT]. Local AI events often stress that these tools should be supportive and not entirely replace personalised service [1].
Privacy, accessibility and ethical concerns
AI applications in libraries raise specific privacy issues: collection of loan data, reading history and interaction data can be useful for personalisation but also pose privacy risks if storage and usage are not strictly regulated [GPT]. Accessibility is a second pillar: AI systems must be usable for people with varying digital skills and for those who need assistance, otherwise they worsen inequalities [GPT]. The Hoeksche Waard Library’s AI session explicitly highlights ethics and privacy to raise public awareness of these tensions [1].
The changing role of library staff
With AI, routine tasks decrease, but space is created for staff to focus on information skills, quality control of AI output and personalised service — roles that require more human judgement and educational skills [GPT]. This calls for retraining and changing work processes within libraries, something that can be addressed locally in information and training activities such as those of the Hoeksche Waard Library [GPT][1].
Practical examples and expert views: what is missing in the local sources
There are many international examples of innovative AI applications in libraries (such as semantic search platforms and automatic transcription projects), but the supplied local sources do not mention specific foreign or national cases that can serve as direct examples here; therefore a degree of uncertainty is indicated at this point [alert! ‘de aangeleverde bronnen bevatten geen uitgebreide praktijkcases buiten de lokale programmabeschrijving’]. For background information on broad practical examples and expert views general domain knowledge is used [GPT] while the local session in Nieuw-Beijerland primarily functions as a public introduction to these themes [1].
Impact on information literacy and democratisation of knowledge
AI in libraries can strengthen information literacy by teaching users how search strategies, source criticism and interpretation of AI output work; libraries are ideal places to offer these skills democratically [GPT]. At the same time unequal access to digital resources and knowledge about AI can lead to new forms of inequality — a topic that public sessions and local programming try to address to create broad awareness [GPT][1].
What visitors can expect during the AI inspiration evening
The announced evening with Hendrik van Zwol promises interactive examples, visual demonstrations and attention to ethics and privacy — a practical introduction suitable for a broad audience of the curious, students and professionals [1]. Visitors will have an accessible opportunity to ask questions, see how AI works in practice and reflect on the role of AI in local information provision [1].