Librarians are having a tough time dealing with AI-generated content, especially when patrons ask for books that don't exist. Reference librarian Eddie Kristan shared that he's been getting requests for fake book titles created by AI, and it's really frustrating. This issue started after AI-generated summer reading lists were circulated in some newspapers earlier this year.
To verify if a book is real, Kristan checks the library catalog and then WorldCat, a global library catalog. If it's not listed, he suspects it might be an AI-generated title. He's also noticed that patrons are becoming more trusting of AI tools and less trusting of human librarians, which is concerning.
Some libraries are trying to mitigate the effects by asking digital book vendors to remove AI-generated titles and having subject specialists vet patron-requested titles. However, library technology providers are implementing AI tools that are making library systems harder to use.
The situation highlights the challenges librarians face in the age of AI-generated content. Patrons are often misled by AI-generated book titles, and librarians must navigate complex systems to determine what's real and what's not. As AI continues to evolve, librarians will need to develop new strategies to help patrons critically evaluate information and find reliable sources.
The issue also raises questions about the role of librarians in the digital age. As AI takes on more responsibilities, librarians must adapt to new challenges and find ways to work effectively with technology while maintaining their expertise and value to patrons.
