Rethinking Libraries for the Age of AI

 Slick, Becca

Sousa, N. M. T. (2025). Academic libraries as hubs of artificial intelligence competency. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 5(1), 221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-025-00490-8 

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now, whether we’re using it for research, writing, or just everyday tasks. But in the article Academic Libraries as Hubs of Artificial Intelligence Competency, the author argues that libraries need to do more than just provide access to these tools. They should actually help people understand how AI works and how it shapes the information we rely on.

    For a long time, libraries have been seen as neutral spaces, places where information is organized and made available without bias. But this article pushes back on that idea. It argues that neutrality isn’t really possible anymore, especially when so much of the information we access is filtered through algorithms. Search engines, databases, and recommendation systems all play a role in deciding what we see (and what we don’t). And those systems aren’t neutral at all, they’re built by people and influenced by things like data choices, commercial interests, and existing biases.

    Because of this, the author says libraries need to step up and take a more active role.

    One of the main ideas in the article is AI literacy. Basically, this means helping people understand not just how to use AI tools, but how to think about them. That includes knowing how AI systems work (at least at a basic level), recognizing their limitations, and being able to question the results they produce. It’s not just about getting help on an assignment, it’s really about understanding how AI is shaping knowledge and decision-making in everyday life.

    This is where libraries come in. The article argues that libraries are actually in a great position to teach these skills. Instead of just helping students find sources, libraries could:

• show how algorithms influence search results
• talk about bias in AI systems
• encourage more critical thinking about information
• and highlight voices that might otherwise be overlooked

    In other words, libraries can become places where people learn how to navigate a world that’s increasingly run by AI.

    Of course, the article also points out that this isn’t easy. Libraries are dealing with budget cuts, reliance on commercial databases, and long-standing expectations to stay “neutral.” On top of that, not all librarians have training in AI, feel prepared to teach it, or refuse to learn about it altogether. But even with these challenges, the author argues that libraries have an important opportunity to evolve and stay relevant.

    At the end of the day, the article makes a pretty clear point: libraries can’t just be about access anymore, they need to be about understanding. In a world shaped by AI, that shift matters more than ever. 

Evaluation - I think this article brings up a really important issue, especially for those in an MLIS program. AI isn’t going away, and a lot of students are already using it without really thinking about how it works or what its limitations are. So the idea that libraries could help fill that gap makes a lot of sense.

    What stood out to me most was the argument about neutrality. Libraries have traditionally tried to stay neutral, but this article makes a good case that neutrality can actually be a problem. If we don’t question the systems we’re using, especially algorithm-driven ones, we’re basically just accepting whatever they give us. That’s not great, especially when bias and misinformation are real concerns.

    That said, the article is definitely a bit heavy in terms of language. Some of the wording (like “epistemic” concepts) makes it harder to read than it needs to be. I found myself having to slow down and reread parts, which might be a barrier for a broader audience. It also stays pretty theoretical, there aren’t a lot of concrete examples of libraries already doing this work, which would’ve helped make the ideas feel more practical.

    Overall though, I think the message is solid. Libraries have always been about supporting learning and access to knowledge, and this feels like a natural next step. If anything, this article is a reminder that our role as future librarians might be a lot more active, and a lot more important, than just managing collections.