**Libby App’s New AI Discovery Feature Divides Users**
The widely used library app, Libby, has unveiled an AI-powered discovery feature, sparking a mixed reception among its user base. Designed to offer personalized book and audiobook recommendations, the new tool aims to help patrons navigate vast digital collections and unearth titles they might otherwise miss.
The AI analyzes user borrowing history and stated preferences to suggest new content, promising a more tailored and efficient browsing experience. Developers anticipate the feature will enhance user engagement and broaden the discovery of diverse authors and genres.
However, the rollout has also generated considerable debate. Concerns are being raised about data privacy, with users questioning how their reading habits will be collected, stored, and utilized by the AI. Critics also express fears of algorithmic bias, suggesting the AI could inadvertently prioritize mainstream titles, potentially sidelining niche, local, or culturally diverse works that human librarians often champion. Others lament the potential loss of serendipitous discovery and the unique, personal touch traditionally provided by library staff, arguing that a purely algorithmic approach might create a “walled garden” where users only see what the AI believes they want.
The feature’s introduction highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and the core values of public libraries, prompting an important conversation about the future of digital content discovery.