NYTimes asks AI tools what US libraries do and what they need

In short: A New York Times interactive asked several AI systems about what US libraries provide and what they need, pointing to libraries as community service hubs with tight budgets and growing tech needs.

What's going on

The New York Times published an interactive feature that says it asked “dozens” of AI systems about America’s libraries, including what libraries do for their communities and what support they need to keep going.

The big theme is that libraries are not just about borrowing books. Libraries often help people apply for jobs, study for a GED (a high school equivalent), start small businesses, use computers and the internet, and access services like telehealth (doctor visits done over video). For many people, a library works like a community help desk (a place you can walk into and get pointed to the right resource).

Other surveys help explain why these questions matter. Pew Research Center has found that 81% of Americans say libraries offer services that are hard to find elsewhere. Pew also reported that many people value human help in libraries, with 80% saying librarians helping people find information is very important, and 77% saying free computer and internet access is very important.

Separate librarian surveys point to pressures behind the scenes. A 2025 Clarivate survey of 2,032 librarians worldwide found that 67% of libraries were exploring or using AI, but budgets remained a concern. About half of US and North American respondents expected cuts to collections.

What to watch

A key question is whether funding and training keep up as libraries add more technology and more “life services” on top of books. It also matters how libraries decide to use AI tools, and whether staff get the time and support to use them safely and fairly.

Source: NYTimes