Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled
Library fans are buzzing after Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled about it. The popular e-book and audiobook app introduced a new tool called Inspire Me, designed to give users personalized book recommendations. But instead of excitement, the update has sparked mixed reactions—especially from librarians and readers who’d rather keep AI out of their library experience.
Image Credits:Carolin Voelker/ Getty Images
How the AI "Inspire Me" feature works
The Inspire Me option sits on Libby’s home page. Readers can tap it to ask for recommendations in fiction or nonfiction, then refine results by age group, content type, or mood.
For example, you might choose prompts like spine-tingling thrillers or amusing family dramas. You can even go niche with suggestions such as dark humor about modern family dysfunction or time travelers rescuing dragons from medieval knights.
The app then generates five book titles that match the chosen inspiration, pulling directly from a library’s digital collection. OverDrive, the company behind Libby, says the system prioritizes titles that are immediately available to borrow.
Why some readers and librarians are pushing back
While some see this as a fun, time-saving tool, not everyone is sold. On social media, readers and librarians voiced frustration, saying they’d prefer to rely on human curation and traditional catalog searches instead of AI.
Others raised concerns about privacy and data usage, pointing out that AI-driven features in apps often collect more information than users realize. These worries mirror broader debates about how much AI should be embedded into everyday services.
OverDrive’s response to AI criticism
OverDrive has tried to reassure skeptics. In a policy document, the company clarified that Inspire Me only works with each library’s own digital catalog and doesn’t expose user data to outside systems. The company emphasized that the feature is optional and meant to complement, not replace, human-driven discovery.
What this means for the future of library apps
The mixed reaction shows a divide in how people want technology to shape their reading habits. For some, AI-powered recommendations are a helpful shortcut. For others, it feels like an unnecessary intrusion into one of the last human-centered spaces: the library.
As Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled, the debate highlights a bigger question: should library apps lean into AI trends, or preserve the traditional feel that readers value?
إرسال تعليق