How Libraries Are Leading the AI Revolution

Gretchen GardellaNo CommentsBlog, Liblime

In an era when artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of modern life, libraries have emerged as unexpected pioneers at the forefront of the AI revolution. Far from being rendered obsolete by this significant technological advancement, these institutions are proving themselves to be guides, educators, and innovators in helping communities navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence. From developing AI literacy programs to implementing cutting-edge chatbot services, libraries are demonstrating that their mission of democratizing knowledge extends naturally into the age of machine learning.

Responding to Unprecedented Change

Libraries are facing a technological transformation of unprecedented speed and scale with the emergence of generative AI, triggering both uncertainty and the need for rapid adaptation (1). This challenge, however, has catalyzed a remarkable response from the library community worldwide. A recent special issue of IFLA Journal brought together eighteen original contributions from around the world examining how AI is reshaping library services, information literacy, policy, and professional practice across diverse contexts (2).

Rather than retreating from this technological wave, libraries are riding it with purpose and intention. They recognize that their traditional role as information intermediaries positions them uniquely to help communities understand, evaluate, and use AI technologies responsibly. This positioning is not accidental—it reflects decades of experience helping patrons navigate previous technological transitions, from microfiche to the internet.

Building AI Literacy from the Ground Up

The most significant contribution libraries are making to the AI revolution is in education and literacy. The University of Michigan Library has developed an “AI Literacy Framework” that integrates AI education into existing information literacy curricula (3). This approach recognizes that AI literacy cannot be treated as a separate skill set but must be woven into the broader fabric of information competency.

Academic libraries are positioning themselves as key players in shaping critical conversations about AI by embracing AI literacy, demystifying the technology, offering targeted programs, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to explore the influence of AI on research and learning (4). Through partnerships with faculty and campus technology units, librarians are integrating AI literacy into courses, creating learning communities, and providing practical training on AI-driven tools.

The scope of these initiatives is expanding rapidly. The LIBRA.I. project, funded by the European Union, aims to integrate AI into media and learning literacy training in public libraries, with librarians in select locations participating in workshops in mid-2025 and a framework in five languages to be released in 2026 (5). This international effort reflects the global recognition that libraries are natural venues for AI education.

Even smaller institutions are making significant contributions. Goldey-Beacom College Library has built an AI literacy program that introduces students to tools such as Grammarly and other AI applications (6), demonstrating that impactful AI education doesn’t require massive resources or infrastructure. What it needs is the pedagogical expertise and commitment to access that libraries have cultivated over generations.

Using AI Technologies in Library Services

LIBRA.I. (Erasmus+ Project)

Libraries aren’t just teaching about AI—they’re actively deploying it to enhance their services. Many libraries have implemented AI-powered chatbots to provide instant assistance to patrons, answering frequently asked questions, helping users navigate library resources, and providing personalized recommendations (7).

The integration of AI chatbots into library services promises to streamline routine, time-intensive tasks, such as answering queries about opening hours, directing users to relevant library databases, or providing brief bibliographic citations, thereby freeing human staff to focus on more nuanced work (8). This represents a sophisticated understanding of AI’s proper role—not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a tool that amplifies librarians’ ability to provide high-touch, personalized service where it matters most.

Academic libraries have successfully developed and trained AI chatbots with minimal technical expertise and resources (9), proving that participation in the AI revolution doesn’t require Silicon Valley-level technical capabilities. Libraries are demonstrating that thoughtful implementation, user-centered design, and commitment to service excellence matter more than technical sophistication.

Transforming Library Operations

The AI revolution in libraries extends beyond public-facing services to the backend operations that enable libraries to function. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Scite, and Perplexity are reshaping how libraries operate and how librarians serve their communities, with librarians not being sidelined by automation but instead empowered by it (10).

This transformation includes everything from cataloging and metadata creation to collection development and resource discovery. AI is enabling libraries to process and organize information at scales that would have been impossible with human labor alone. At the same time, librarians provide the critical judgment and contextual understanding that AI cannot replicate.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Libraries’ leadership in the AI revolution is particularly crucial because they serve populations that might otherwise be excluded from the benefits of AI. While major technology companies develop AI for profit-paying customers, libraries ensure that everyone—regardless of income, education level, or digital skills—has access to AI tools and the knowledge to use them effectively.

This democratizing mission extends to addressing the potential harms of AI. Libraries are teaching critical evaluation of AI-generated content, raising awareness about algorithmic bias, and fostering discussions about privacy and surveillance in an AI-enabled world. They provide a trusted, neutral space where communities can explore both the promises and perils of AI.

Challenges and Adaptations

The rapid pace of AI development presents ongoing challenges for libraries. A September 2024 report found that only 7 percent of academic libraries were implementing AI tools, while 32 percent of librarians and library-adjacent professionals surveyed said no AI training was available at their universities (11). This gap between need and readiness underscores the urgency of expanding training and support for library staff.

Additionally, libraries must navigate complex questions regarding intellectual property, data privacy, and the ethical use of AI. As institutions committed to intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality, libraries are developing policies and practices that balance innovation with core professional values.

Looking Forward

The library profession’s response to AI demonstrates institutional resilience and adaptability. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to their relevance, libraries have recognized it as an opportunity to reaffirm and extend their essential role in society. They are not merely responding to technological change but actively shaping how AI is integrated into communities.

As AI continues to evolve, libraries are positioned to serve as critical infrastructure for AI literacy and access. They provide physical and digital spaces where people can experiment with AI tools, ask questions without judgment, and develop informed perspectives on AI’s role of AI in society. This work is not peripheral to libraries’ mission—it is central to their historic commitment to ensuring that knowledge and information remain public goods rather than private privileges.

The AI revolution needs guides, not just technologists. It requires institutions committed to serving everyone, not just those who can pay. It needs spaces where ethical questions are asked alongside technical ones. Libraries are proving themselves uniquely suited to meet these needs.

In the decades to come, when historians assess which institutions most successfully helped society navigate the AI transition, libraries may well be recognized as having played the most crucial role. By combining technological innovation with unwavering commitment to equity, education, and public service, libraries are not just participating in the AI revolution—they are leading it in the direction it must go.

 

Sources

  1. American Library Association. (2025). “Libraries’ opportunity to shape how AI transforms society.” Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/news/2025/06/libraries-opportunity-shape-how-ai-transforms-society

  2. IFLA. (2025). “IFLA Journal. October 2025 [Special Issue: Artificial Intelligence (AI): Transforming Global Librarianship].” Retrieved from https://repository.ifla.org/items/b8ea2089-3bfa-4a6c-bdb9-36f0c830edbc

  3. Liblime. (2025). “AI Literacy in the Future of Libraries: Adapting to a New Information Landscape.” Retrieved from https://liblime.com/2025/03/17/ai-literacy-in-the-future-of-libraries-adapting-to-a-new-information-landscape/

  4. Lo, L.S. (2025). “AI Literacy: A Guide for Academic Libraries.” College & Research Libraries News. Retrieved from https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/26704/34626

  5. AI Literacy Institute. (2025). “AI Literacy Review – March 11, 2025.” Retrieved from https://ailiteracy.institute/ai-literacy-review-march-11-2025/

  6. AI Literacy Institute. (2025). “AI Literacy Review – April 22, 2025.” Retrieved from https://ailiteracy.institute/ai-literacy-review-april-22-2025/

  7. Georgia Libraries. (n.d.). “AI in Libraries.” Retrieved from https://galibtech.georgialibraries.org/emerging/ai-in-libraries

  8. ChatGPTLibrarian. (2025). “The Future of AI Chatbots in Libraries: Balancing Innovation with Human Expertise.” Retrieved from https://www.chatgptlibrarian.com/2025/02/the-future-of-ai-chat-bots-in-libraries.html

  9. Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice. (n.d.). “Academic Libraries Can Develop AI Chatbots for Virtual Reference Services with Minimal Technical Knowledge and Limited Resources.” Retrieved from https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/30523

  10. Open Society Education Initiative. (2025). “From Card Catalogs to Chatbots: How AI is Transforming Libraries and Empowering Librarians.” Retrieved from https://oseinstitute.org/2025/05/06/from-card-catalogs-to-chatbots-how-ai-is-transforming-libraries-and-empowering-librarians/

  11. Inside Higher Ed. (2025). “How librarians can engage with generative AI.” Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/academic-life/2025/02/10/how-librarians-can-engage-generative-ai