AI & Public Libraries
Public libraries persistently serve as trusted community centers for lifelong learning, information access, and social engagement. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a more frequent aspect of everyday life (whether or not people utilize it personally), libraries play a vital role in helping patrons understand AI, evaluate AI-generated information, protect their privacy, and use these emerging technologies responsibly and (most importantly) ethically.
Beyond patron knowledge and experience, AI and its various related technologies, apps, and platforms also represent significant implications when it comes to Library and Information Science (LIS). Looking to the future, Public Librarians need to understand AI and its implications as they consider impacts on collection development, information retrieval, procedures and policies, and more.
As AI continues to evolve rapidly, this page will remain a work-in-progress as the Bureau of Libraries aims to work with various interest holders among numerous related sectors of society, so we can provide updated, practitioner-informed resources and information for our Librarians and patrons.
Why AI Matters in Public Libraries
AI is fundamentally changing how information is accessed, created, communicated about, and evaluated throughout society. Increasingly, many community members (and librarians) are aiming to better understand and use AI technologies. Public libraries are most successful when they effectively help community members locate, access, and acquire the relevant resources and accurate information they need.
Public libraries remain peerlessly trusted institutions for promoting information literacy, digital literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to technology. Forward-thinking libraries ought to be able to help patrons understand both the opportunities and limitations of AI while fostering informed, responsible participation in an AI-embedded society.
The Role of Public Libraries
Public libraries help build AI literacy by empowering community members to understand and use AI thoughtfully, critically, and ethically.
Promote AI Literacy:
Help patrons understand how AI works, where and how they encounter it, and how to evaluate AI-generated content.
Support Lifelong Learning:
Provide learning opportunities that help people of all ages build confidence in knowing how to utilize AI responsibly.
Protect Privacy:
Encourage proper AI use by helping patrons understand privacy, data collection, and digital safety.
Expand Access:
Ensure all community members have equitable opportunities to explore emerging technologies and access accurate information.
Guiding Principles for AI in Public Libraries
Libraries have a unique responsibility to foster informed, ethical, and equitable use of AI technologies.
Human Judgment Comes First
While AI can assist with information discovery and content creation, librarians and patrons should always evaluate information critically. One of the simplest acronyms to remember is H > AI > AI; that is "human input", "AI output", "human evaluation" (before use).
Protect Patron Privacy
Libraries should encourage thoughtful AI use while protecting confidential information and respecting patron privacy. Peoples' information seeking habits are frequently being utilized by technology apps and companies; libraries can help patrons understand where they land within that ecosystem -- and how to protect their personal information as best as possible.
Verify Information
AI-generated responses should be treated as a starting point, not an authoritative source. Verification remains essential; users should remind themselves how it important it is that "Human Judgement Comes First"; always remember -- H > AI > H.
Promote Equitable Access
Libraries should help reduce barriers to AI knowledge and technology by providing inclusive learning opportunities for all community members. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our daily technologies, schedules, and societal structures, librarians and patrons ought to develop a healthy and informed relationship with AI in order to support information and resource access.
AI Resources & Options for Librarians
AI can support library services while allowing staff to spend more time engaging directly with patrons and building community connections. As described above, AI is a frequently evolving technology. This page will be updated regularly with practitioner-informed best practices, examples of tools, apps, and platforms, procedure/policy recommendations, and more. Two robust resources we recommend librarians currently consider are:
- Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries (American Library Association)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resources for Library Staff (Library of Virginia)
Select aspects of service that librarians may want to consider when it comes to "AI + libraries" are listed below. While not a comprehensive list by any stretch, it could give interested librarians a starting place:
Research & Reader's Advisory
Support readers' advisory, research assistance, information discovery, and digital literacy instruction.
Programs & Learning
Create workshops, maker activities, workforce development opportunities, and lifelong learning experiences centered on AI.
Library Operations
Use AI to assist with marketing, grant writing, event planning, drafting communications, and improving internal workflows while maintaining human oversight.