AI and Libraries: Exploring the Future, Carefully

At BiblioCommons, we have been receiving a lot of questions from our Partner Libraries about artificial intelligence (AI). It is a topic filled with both excitement and concern, and we share both. So, that is why we would like to be transparent about how we are thinking about AI, what we are testing out, and how we are ensuring that any use of AI aligns with the values that libraries and their patrons trust us to uphold. 

The Democratization of Knowledge

As our General Manager Marty described in a recent webinar, AI is part of a long history of technology advancing the democratization of knowledge. Just as the public library movement opened access to books, and just as digital catalogs opened access to collections, AI represents another wave in this transformation process. It has the potential to make knowledge easier to access, to learn, and to share. ​

There is real potential here. Early pilots, like the World Bank’s use of a generative AI tutor in Nigeria, have shown accelerated learning outcomes that were unthinkable just a few years ago.

"In just 30 school days, students achieved the equivalent of two academic years."

John Nosta, The Digital Staff, Psychology Today

For libraries, it is not a question of whether AI will shape knowledge access, but how to engage with it responsibly. 

Libraries and Trust 

Our Partner Libraries have reminded us that trust must come first, and we couldn’t agree more. 

AI is sometimes applied irresponsibly by Big Tech in ways that violate trust: 

• Privacy breaches: Such as illegal collection of voice and location data. 
• Environmental impact: With data centers driving up energy use. 
• Bias and misinformation: Made worse by weakened moderation and opaque algorithms. 

Public libraries can offer a different path. By being privacy-first, unbiased, sustainable, and safe, libraries are well-suited to be trusted stewards of new technology in ways Big Tech is not. BiblioCommons’ mission is to ensure that when AI touches your digital services, it does so in a way that respects these values. 

Above: Trust, as a main operational pillar of libraries, needs to be at the forefront of AI development and decision-making when introducing new systems and processes into libraries. Tying into trust are sincerity, consistency, integrity, commitment, and reliability. 

How BiblioCommons is Exploring AI 

We are not rushing into exploring AI. Instead, we are taking an intentional, library-centered approach: 

• WCAG and Inclusive Design First: Just as we have embedded accessibility across BiblioCore, BiblioWeb, BiblioApps, and other products, we’ll apply the same thoughtful lens to AI. 

• Partner Pilots: This year, we are collaborating with four forward-thinking Partner Libraries (Boston Public Library, Kent District Library, Harris County, and Las Vegas-Clark County Library District) to explore responsible applications of AI. We will share our learnings as these pilots evolve. 

• Holistic Integration: AI will not be sprinkled in randomly. We are focused on consistent, integrated implementation across the BiblioCommons suite so libraries can rely on best practices without patchwork adoption. 

• Privacy and Data Stewardship: Any BiblioCommons AI project will respect patron consent and data boundaries. We will not pursue Big Tech’s “collect first, apologize later” model. 
   

Above: BiblioCommons AI investigations and initiatives are grounded in a library and patron-centric approach, ensuring an accessible and holistic user experience. (Source: Canva)

Looking Ahead

There are real opportunities on the horizon: from AI assisting patrons discover new materials more easily, to automated workflows that save staff time but do not replace them, to new forms of exploration beyond keyword search, and AI chat. These opportunities must be balanced with vigilance around equity, transparency, and control. 

Our guiding principle is simple: Libraries do not just adopt technology, they shape it to reflect their mission. 

At BiblioCommons, we are committed to exploring AI in that spirit: careful, intentional, and always grounded in what serves libraries, their patrons, and their communities best.

Above: Ensuring transparency, such as clear page headings and universal icons when patrons engage with AI, is essential to maintaining trust. 

Want to Stay Informed?

We will continue to share updates as our pilot programs progress. If you'd like to discuss your library’s priorities or concerns around AI, reach out to your Customer Success Manager or click the button below to learn more. 

We want your input as we shape the future of online libraries together.

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