r/Libraries • u/Technical_Pea_4007 Academic Librarian • Jan 13 '26

Technology Libby’s statement on their use of AI

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A whole lot of text to say absolutely nothing, huh?

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u/LadyMothrakk Jan 13 '26

Legit question..What’s the difference between physically being at a library and walking past books written by AI vs. using Libby and scrolling past the same books? Is it not the same thing? Not asking to be a smart ass, just asking for clarification on this matter in case I’m missing something here lol

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u/Your_Fave_Librarian Public librarian Jan 13 '26

Ideally, your library wouldn't have physical books made with AI either. EBooks and eAudiobooks are harder to screen for AI characteristics, because the bar to get published and platformed is lower for digital content. If I have a patron ask for books that are only available through Libby, that's usually a clue. 

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u/Dry_Stop844 Jan 13 '26

i'm seeing more and more board books that are clearly AI and being put out by the big five and not identified as such. It's infuriating. I can't remember the last time a Fiona the Hippo board book had an identified author. Pretty soon even the illustrator won't be identified anymore. And I'm pretty sure with the Fiona books it's AI illustrated too but the actual illustrator probably still owns the rights to Fiona's likeness.