How Nexus Extend was shaped by user insight – and designed to bring trusted library content into AI workflows
When large language models such as ChatGPT entered the mainstream, one thing became immediately clear: the starting point for academic research had shifted. Students and researchers were no longer heading to Google or library discovery tools as a first step. Instead, they were starting conversations with AI.
Nexus Extend was born out of that moment of change. The original vision was simple: make the library visible and relevant while users are discovering information inside tools like ChatGPT. As researchers use chat tools to explore ideas, Nexus Extend would meet them there, connecting those conversations to trusted, subscription based library content.
What early research with users revealed
In a survey of 500 students by the ProQuest User Experience team, 62% reported validating sources cited by ChatGPT or other large language models. As students increasingly relied on AI tools, many struggled with uncertainty. They didn’t know whether the sources cited by AI genuinely existed, whether they were suitable for academic work, or whether they could be referenced. Verifying sources became a manual, time consuming task that users didn’t always complete.
This insight fundamentally reshaped Nexus Extend. Rather than focusing only on recommending relevant library resources, it evolved to tackle a much bigger pain point: trust.
The library as a trust marker
Libraries consistently emerged in user research as a powerful trust marker. If a source was owned or endorsed by their library, students immediately felt confident using it.
Today, Nexus Extend uses that trust to do two things while users are working in AI tools such as ChatGPT. First, it scans and validates AI generated citations, clearly signalling which sources are verified, questionable, or potentially unreliable. Second, it connects users directly to full text library resources and recommends additional scholarly content relevant to their conversation — even when those sources weren’t cited by the AI tool.
Watch the 1‑minute behind‑the‑scenes clip featuring how an early Nexus Extend prototype turned into its current version.
Designed to complement library discovery
Nexus Extend is a way to connect users to their library rather than replace library discovery systems. It’s designed as a library‑connected layer: validating sources, surfacing trusted content, and guiding users back into the library ecosystem at the right moment in their workflow.
Throughout development, librarians and students have played a central role. Feedback from usability studies and development partners has shaped everything from interface design to how much customization libraries need. The result is a streamlined experience that supports research integrity while aligning with how users work today.
Nexus Extend is still evolving. As AI tools continue to change rapidly, its guiding principle remains constant: meet users where they are, reduce friction in their research process, and reinforce the library’s role as a trusted partner in academic work.
Nexus Extend will be released for early access in Q3, 2026.
Watch Nexus Extend behind the scenes, and sign up for updates on early access and partnership opportunities.
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