Prompting the Primo Search API for Pedagogical Purposes: Building an AI Discovery Assistant

Librarians at San Diego State University (SDSU) leveraged the Primo Search API and generative AI to develop the OneSearch AI Assistant (https://library2.sdsu.edu/onesearch/ai/), an information literacy tool designed to help students translate natural-language research questions into complex Boolean searches compatible with Primo. The assistant takes a question and generates an editable Boolean string that models expert search strategies, making advanced search logic transparent and teachable. This presentation describes the technical architecture of the tool, including prompt engineering, API integration, and design choices made to support instructional goals. While implemented within Primo, the underlying approach is platform agnostic and could be adapted to work with other discovery layers or database interfaces that support Boolean search. The presentation outlines a novel use of the Primo Search API, and shares assessment findings and feedback. Attendees will gain practical insights into developing transferable, instructional AI enhancements for discovery systems.