Hirons Library - Hirons Library at Goldey-Beacom College

Did you know that many AI tools you see online—like Grammarly, ChatGPT, or even image generators—come in two very different versions? One is free (the freemium version) and the other is paid (the premium or institutional version).

At first, they might look the same, but when it comes to your writing, the difference is huge. At Goldey-Beacom College, the Hirons Library gives you access to Grammarly EDU, the premium version of Grammarly, as part of our suite of AI tools for students. That means you don’t have to settle for the limitations of a free plan—you already have the upgrade.

What’s the Catch with Free AI Tools?

Free versions are designed to get you hooked, but they don’t give you the full experience.

Basic features only – grammar and spelling checks.
Daily usage limits – only so many documents or words per day.
Constant upsells – pop-ups asking you to “Go Premium.”
Data collection – your writing may be used to train the tool.

It’s like downloading a free game on your phone—fun at first, but full of locked levels, ads, and reminders to upgrade.

What Paid (or Institutional) AI Tools Offer Students

Now picture the full version—the one your library provides. With Grammarly EDU, you get:

✅ Advanced feedback – not just spelling, but clarity, tone, vocabulary, citations, and even plagiarism checks.
✅ Unlimited access – no word count caps, no locked features.
✅ Privacy and security – your writing is protected under the college’s license.
✅ Academic focus – support for essays, research papers, résumés, emails, and more.

Why Grammarly EDU Is Different

Grammarly EDU isn’t just about fixing typos—it’s about helping you grow as a writer. That’s why the Hirons Library includes it in our AI Tools collection.

Here are some of the standout features:

💻 Delivers AI-enabled communication assistance where you write the most—Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Canvas, and email.
💬 Provides built-in guidance and custom feedback throughout your entire writing journey, so you learn while you edit.
📚 Prepares you for professional success by sharpening your writing skills for the AI-connected workforce.
🔒 Protects your work and your data with enterprise-grade security and responsible AI practices.

Imagine This…

It’s midnight. Your essay is due in the morning. You’ve rewritten your introduction three times and you’re still not sure if it makes sense. Do you hit “submit” and hope for the best—or do you let Grammarly EDU step in to give you clarity, confidence, and calm?

That’s the difference between relying on a free tool and using the AI-enabled writing support your library already provides.

How to Get Started with Grammarly EDU

Creating your account is simple and only takes a few minutes:

Go to library.gbc.edu.
Click on Grammarly EDU under AI Tools.
Sign up with your GBC email address.
Confirm your email and log in.
Start writing smarter, not harder.

The Takeaway

Free tools can help in a pinch, but they often leave you stuck with limits, ads, and missing features. With Grammarly EDU, you have access to the premium version that supports your writing, protects your data, and prepares you for success.

👉 Don’t settle for less. Create your Grammarly EDU account today at library.gbc.edu. Your future self—and your grades—will thank you.

Why This Matters

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—on your phone, in your email, in the tools you use for writing and research. But at Goldey-Beacom, we believe AI isn’t just about convenience. It’s about thinking critically, asking questions, and making informed choices.

That’s why our AI program goes beyond teaching how to use tools. We emphasize:

Ethical engagement – making sure students understand bias, privacy, and responsible use.

Critical thinking – encouraging students to verify information and not just accept outputs at face value.

Workforce readiness – preparing graduates to navigate the AI-connected professional world with confidence.

As Library Director Russell “Rusty” Michalak puts it:

“It’s not, go into the tool and take whatever the output is. It’s, here’s this tool, it gives you information—and now go verify it.”

Tools That Teach Beyond the Basics

One standout example is Litmaps, an AI tool that helps students visualize how research papers connect through citations. Instead of seeing research as a stack of isolated articles, students begin to understand scholarship as a conversation—a web of voices interacting, debating, and building knowledge together.

Provost Joel Worden explains:

“Litmaps is a really useful way of helping students see what we mean by scholarship being a conversation of different scholars interacting with each other’s works.”

Other tools in our AI suite, like Grammarly EDU, Scholarcy, and ImageFX, give students practical ways to build skills in writing, summarizing, and creative expression—all framed through the lens of ethics and information literacy.

Years in the Making

Although AI may feel like a brand-new phenomenon, Goldey-Beacom has been teaching AI literacy for years. Our first AI tool was adopted before the pandemic, and what started with just a few classes quickly grew into an institution-wide initiative.

That steady growth—and the library’s leadership in making AI equitable and accessible for all students—caught national attention.

Listen to the Full Story

Want to hear more about how Hirons Library is leading in ethical AI education? 🎙️ Listen to the full interview with Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny, featuring Russell Michalak and Joel Worden, here:
👉 Goldey-Beacom College’s Hirons Library earns national recognition for teaching ethical AI use

Did You Know? Free vs. Paid AI Tools for Student Writing