The Complicated Feelings Librarians May Have About AI

I recently read a SubStack post from Daniel Stanford titled AI Festivus: An AI Workshop for the Rest of Us.  

In it, he highlighted some of the common themes seen in presentations and discussions on generative AI. Then, he indicated a need to give people space to process their feelings about AI, observing that this has been missing from many of the presentations he has seen or been involved with. 

His list of themes resonated with my own experience and my own work. I have tried to offer solutions, see the positives, and acknowledge the concerns (i.e., ethical dilemmas). However, I have rarely sat with my own feelings or provided space for others to do so.  

While it may be impossible to provide space for others to process feelings in a blog post, I want to take this post to acknowledge that change is hard—and GenAI will be disruptive.  

AI’s Impact on Library Work: Cataloging and Research 

GenAI will affect how we do our work and the type(s) of work we engage in.  

For example, GenAI will likely have a direct impact on cataloging and technical services in libraries. While a person will still need to check records and make decisions about classifications, much of what’s involved in cataloging and technical services can be completed with GenAI. Over a year ago, the free version of ChatGPT was able to create a solid MARC record.   

Gen AI is also already influencing how people conduct research and is likely to have an even bigger impact in the future. Researchers will need to learn more about the evaluation of sources and how to uncover material that is not represented in many large language models.  

These two examples suggest a shift from traditional research and cataloging methods to a more dynamic, technology-augmented approach that values both technological efficiency and human intellectual insight. 

This shift may be uncomfortable for many. We are all creatures of habit and adjusting to major shifts in workflow and the skills valued in the workforce can be disconcerting.  

Understanding Our Emotional Response to GenAI 

In navigating the transformative potential of GenAI, we should engage in reflective practice that centers on our core professional values. The introduction of GenAI can trigger complex emotional responses—uncertainty, anxiety, or even a sense of professional displacement. These feelings are natural and valid. 

For library and information science professionals, these uncomfortable feelings likely stem from core values such as: 

• Intellectual freedom 
• Preservation of authentic knowledge 
• Ethical information access 
• Protection of human expertise 
• Commitment to critical thinking 
• Maintaining the integrity of research and information systems 

Acknowledging these emotions is not a sign of resistance, but an important step in thoughtful technological integration. By sitting with the discomfort and examining its roots, we can: 

• Identify which specific aspects of AI feel most challenging 
• Recognize the unique contributions of human judgment 
• Develop strategies for meaningful technological adaptation 
• Proactively shape how AI is implemented in our professional context (including supporting AI policy development) 

Technological Advancement is Not Something to Be Feared 

The goal is not to resist the change GenAI brings, but to ensure that technological advances align with and enhance the core mission and values of the profession. This approach transforms potential anxiety into a constructive dialogue about maintaining professional integrity while embracing innovative tools.