The Digital Librarian

What are the library tech trends for 2024? In many ways we can expect a year that will be shaped by artificial intelligence and how we react to it.

The Outlook for Library Digital Collections

Financial Constraints

Continuing a long-standing trend, libraries will make sizable investments in their collections of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies/music, e-magazines, and other digital content in 2024. As evidenced by the 2022 Library Journal Materials Survey, many will do this, in part, through the reallocation of funds designated to analogue media, in particular music and audiobook CDs. That being said, rising ebook costs, an increasingly hostile stance from The Big 5 Publishers towards library lending, and the uncertainty of any legislative relief, will render these types of offsets inadequate. Instead, libraries may find themselves employing a host of unsatisfying solutions, including throttling patron usage (by reducing the number or duration of checkouts), refocusing on the most popular titles, employing more cost-effective lending models (such as metered concurrent use), and pairing back other offerings with lower return on investment.

Streaming Opportunity

One particular area of increased library investment has been in video streaming services, such as Hoopla and Kanopy. While these library-specific options often struggle to match the quantity and quality of titles offered by the likes of Prime Video and Netflix, recent price increases, coupled with the introduction of commercials may have patrons view our free (and ad-free) options with renewed interest.

AI Powered Censorship

The potential for AI to be used as a tool for censorship is not speculation. Iowa’s Mason City Community School District has begun using ChatGPT to determine what books conflict with a new state law, and must be removed. They will not be the last organization to employ similar methods. Additionally, one can expect individuals to use AI to both compile lists of “objectionable” material, and to draft challenges to said items.

AI and The Library Workplace

If we acknowledge the promise and potential of artificial intelligence, then we must also accept the need to get our organizations AI-ready in 2024. This will involve:

• AI Policy and Procedure: As we wait for a legal framework for AI to take shape, our libraries will create our own organizational guidelines and guardrails to define appropriate use, guided by our professional ethics. AI is here, is widely available, and we need to fill in the information void for our staff, which in turn will help protect our patrons.
• AI-infused work Environment: In recent years, the library workspace has moved to the cloud. Library staff commonly collaborate in virtual work environments, with platforms including Office 365, Google Workspace, and Canva for Teams. All of these aforementioned platforms are undergoing AI integration. Canva can perform text-to-image, and increasingly, text-to-video. Microsoft CoPilot, and Google Duet will bring conversational AI that can draft, edit, and summarize documents–including emails, and perform generative AI design elements.
• Staff training: If ever there was a year to invest in staff training, 2024 is it! Staff will need to understand how to use conversational search tools like Bard and Bing, text-to-image generators, and large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT.  In a library setting, that necessitates policy and procedure be in-place and communicated to staff, to ensure that their use of the technology matches our professional ethics. How a library can and should be use AI are two different matters!
• Assessing Library-Specific AI Tools: Over the course of 2024, you should expect to be approached by familiar library vendors as well as new startups looking to sell you AI-powered tools, such as AI infused databases, library chatbots, and other solutions. Having policy, procedure, and trained staff will allow you to confidently evaluate these tools, both on appropriateness and effectiveness.

Library Programming Trends

AI and Virtual Programming

AI has great potential to break down language barriers, and aid accessibility. AI will continue to improve traditional captioning of live-streamed and recorded programming, and improve the quality of library virtual offerings. Google is currently developing a universal translator for video, which can take a person’s voice and tone, and apply it to a chosen language. Additionally, the person’s mouth can be adjusted to match the audio, making the final product appear more natural.

AI Demystification Programs

As libraries engage in staff AI training, that knowledge will be turned outwards, where there is strong patron interest. What can/should you be offering?

• Primers on AI generally, AI ethics, AI and privacy.
• Hands-on demonstrations on text-to-image generators and chatbots.
• Connecting the small business community with experts to help them understand both the potential, and potential threat AI may pose to them.
• Infusing traditional programming with AI, when and where appropriate. For example using ChatGPT to create writing prompts in a writer’s group.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in the Age of AI

Library adoption of AR & VR has come in fits and starts. Many libraries have made investments in VR specific devices, like the Meta Quest, and in AR-capable devices, such as the iPad. Expect generative AI to instill new life in these technologies! When you combine the capabilities of text-to-image generators, the natural language processing of virtual assistants, and the utility of wearable tech, the possibilities can be quite exciting!

 Until Next Time!

I hope you’ve found this piece useful! As always, if you’re looking for a speaker for your event, feel free to reach out! I cover emerging technologies, staff training, library tech trends, tech on a budget, change management, and more! You can also check out this list of recent and upcoming events, or read up on what others have said about my talks.