Special Report: State of AI in Libraries
Updated September 2026 | U.S. public libraries
Artificial intelligence appears in staff tools, patron questions, and the materials libraries select. This report examines adoption, policy and governance, staff concerns, privacy, collection development, and public learning, with practical recommendations and examples from U.S. public libraries.
The report includes Kenosha’s tool-vetting process, exercises for reviewing bias in AI output, and guidance for evaluating AI-generated books and vendor-hosted content. It distinguishes documented findings from predictions and includes 17 references.
Read or download the State of AI in Libraries Report (PDF, 10 pages)
AI Policies in Use In Libraries
PPL Board (2025, May 26).“Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy.”. Pickerington Public Library. Accessed Sept. 13, 2025. https://pickeringtonlibrary.org/ai-policy/.
HOUPL Board of Trustees. (2024, April 11). Employee AI Use Policy. https://webgen1files1.revize.com/houstonlibraryga/Document%20Center/Policies/HOUPL%20-%20AI%20Policy%20-%20Final.pdf
Kenosha Public Library. (2024, August 13). Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Usage Policy. Kenosha, WI. https://mykpl.info/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/08/AI-Policy-V1-Final.pdf
Dekalb Public Library Board of Trustees (2024, September). DeKalb Public Library Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy. https://dkpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AI-policy_2024.pdf
SCPLD Board. (2024, September). Artificial Intelligence Use Policy. https://www.scpld.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Artificial-Intelligence-Use-Policy.pdf
Hastings Public Library Board (2024, October 7). Staff AI Usage Policy. https://www.hastingspubliclibrary.org/site-assets/files/tec-5_staff-ai-usage-policy.pdf
Holderness Board of Trustees. (2023, December 11). https://www.holdernessfreelibrary.org/uploads/1/2/0/0/120063836/holderness_free_library_ai_policy_2023.pdf
Template for AI Vetting Forms
Kenosha Public Library, Kenosha Public Library
Artificial Intelligence Vetting Process. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HbldZyYCFiIsneo8GWa-_Mvg-XldJ2De_XFy_AdyqUo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7hgtgqy76zco
Kenosha Public Library, AI Vetting Request Form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VmRSd9cVzvV_j9D7cM4oiqJqifYWSy7I-1FgISOcQQM/viewform?edit_requested=true
Further Resources for AI Policy Development
Templates from Robin
Fill in Template – Long version with suggested policy wording
Boinodiris, Phaedra, and Beth Rudden. 2025. AI for the Rest of Us. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157658217-ai-for-the-rest-of-us.
Fernandez, Peter, and Kelly Tilton. 2018. Applying Library Values to Emerging Technology: Decision-Making in the Age of Open Access, Maker Spaces, and the Ever-Changing Library (Publications in Librarianship #72). Publications in Librarianship 72. ACRL. https://alastore.ala.org/content/applying-library-values-emerging-technology-decision-making-age-open-access-maker-spaces-and.
Hanegan, Michael, and Chris Rosser. 2025. Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future. ALA Editions in collaboration with Core.
Lankes, David R. 2025. Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236879964-triptych.
Suleyman, Mustafa. 2023. The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century’s Greatest Dilemma. First edition. Crown.
Policies from cities and other governmental organizations
Garces, Santiago. (2023, May 18). City of Boston Interim Guidelines for Using Generative AI. https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2023/05/Guidelines-for-Using-Generative-AI-2023.pdf
City of Tempe. (2023, May 31). Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. https://tempe.hylandcloud.com/AgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/ETHICAL%20ARTIFICAL%20INTELLIGENCE%20POLICY.DOCX.pdf
ADM-143 Use of Artificial Intelligence Policy | Lebanon, NH – Https://Lebanonnh.Gov/1737/AI-Policy.” n.d. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://lebanonnh.gov/1737/AI-Policy.
Gross, Paige. 2025. “Oklahoma Voice: Cities across the US Are Embracing AI Guidelines for Local Government Workers | News | Duncanbanner.Com.” The Duncan Banner, August 21. https://www.duncanbanner.com/news/oklahoma-voice-cities-across-the-us-are-embracing-ai-guidelines-for-local-government-workers/article_47c4ef2c-d725-4f1b-b617-0d81212d50ac.html.