Library Tech Trends for 2026

The year 2026 will see libraries face new and familiar challenges from generative AI, increasing cybersecurity threats, and continued adaptation in response to community needs.

The Growing AI Presence in Libraries Will Necessitate a Policy Response!

Even as libraries determine what their relationship with generative AI will be, the technology continues to insinuate itself into our organizations in increasingly noticeable ways. AI-generated materials are now commonly discoverable within library digital collections, typically in the form of ebooks and audiobooks. As patrons expand their use of AI in research, staff should expect more situations involving patrons seeking AI-hallucinated materials that simply do not exist.

While generative AI continues to be integrated into popular software (such as Canva, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace), 2026 will see its presence extending into library-specific solutions. For example, Overdrive’s ebook platform Libby has launched its Inspire Me feature, which uses generative AI to recommend currently-available materials to its users. This is a significant point of entry, as more than 90% of public libraries in North America use Libby.

All of this will come to a head, with staff and patrons seeking clarity on the library’s stance on genAI within the library, including:

Expect 2026 to be a year of library AI policy writing, helping to establish guardrails in an otherwise uncertain environment. Similarly, AI will be an increasing focus of staff development. Along those lines, an Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) task force has published AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers, while the Public Library Association has formed a Transformative Technology Task Force to identify training priorities and develop AI-focused resources.

ADA Compliance

Depending on service area population, public entities are required to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AAby April 24, 2026 (service population greater than 50,000) or April 26, 2027 (service population less than 50,000). Given the growth of the libraries’ digital presence over the last decade, libraries must invest significant time in ensuring the accessibility of their websites and mobile apps, as well as the many vendor-provided digital services, tools, and platforms they encompass. Organizations should prioritize training that includes creating accessible PDFs, creating effective alt text, and best practices for social media and hybrid/virtual programming.

For organizations still in the planning phase, the Americans with Disabilities Act website offers a First Steps resource for coming into compliance. For library-specific resources, the American Library Association has a Library Accessibility Toolkits Resource Page, which includes new guidance specific to the new ADA rules. Finally, this American Libraries Magazine article offers some simple, but also impactful actions to take.

Expanded Library of Things

Public libraries are encountering a number of pressures on their collections, including supply chain disruptions in print materials following the closure of Baker & Taylor, as well as increasing financial strain on digital collections. At the same time, there is growing public interest in non-traditional library collections, such as gadgets, games, and tools, commonly referred to as a “library of things.” These collections align well with sustainability, an increasing focus for libraries and one that has been named a core value of librarianship by the American Library Association.

Rising Cybersecurity Threats

In recent years, libraries have faced a growing threat from ransomware attacks, with high profile targets including Seattle Public Library, Toronto Public Library, and Michigan’s Orion Township Public Library. With the rise of generative AI, non-experts are now able to create malware, increasing the threat overall. Additionally, deepfakes, voice-cloning, and other generative AI outputs are raising the sophistication of social engineering attacks. As such, it is best to prepare for the eventuality of a cyberattack by hardening your infrastructure, limiting the extent of an intrusion, and preparing for a speedy recovery.

The cyber risks facing libraries also extend to our patrons! Making our communities aware of the growing threat, educating them to be AI-safe, and curating quality resources is essential!

Until Next Time!

With all of this technology-driven disruption, the year 2026 promises to be a challenging one for libraries and the communities we serve. Past experience tells us that it is in trying times that we do our best work.

Items of Interest

I was among several experts who provided marketing predictions for Angela Hursh’s Super Library Marketing Blog. The piece is called “2026 Library Marketing Predictions: What Will Matter Most This Year.”
On March 24, 2026, I’ll be conducting a webinar for Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) titled Future-Ready Youth: Preparing Our Patrons to Navigate the Age of AI.
I’ll be keynoting the Connecticut Library Association’s 2026 Annual Conference.

The Digital Librarian