Public Libraries Struggle with Surge of AI-Generated Books
Public libraries are facing an overwhelming flood of AI-generated books, creating challenges for digital lending services and raising concerns about content quality. With the rise of generative AI tools, low-quality ebooks—often filled with automated summaries or fabricated content—are increasingly making their way onto platforms that supply libraries with digital materials.
A report by 404 Media highlights that OverDrive and Hoopla, the two largest digital library services, are struggling to filter out AI-generated books. While OverDrive allows libraries to curate their collections, Hoopla operates with an open catalogue, meaning libraries have no control over the content available to their patrons. This model has made it easier for AI-generated books to slip through the cracks, frustrating both readers and librarians.
Librarians, such as Luca Bartlomiejczyk of the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Connecticut, have voiced concerns about the sheer volume of low-quality material on Hoopla. He argues that AI-generated books, sometimes referred to as “vendor slurry,” dilute library catalogues with unvetted content. Many of these books are automated summaries of popular titles, misleading readers searching for original works.
One company at the center of this issue is IRB Media, which has uploaded hundreds of AI-generated book summaries to Hoopla. Because these titles appear alongside legitimate works, unsuspecting readers may download them, only to find incomplete or inaccurate content. The problem is not just about quality—it also affects library budgets, as public funds are used to acquire and lend these materials.
Efforts to regulate digital content have been ongoing. In 2022, groups such as Library Futures and the Library Freedom Project urged OverDrive and Hoopla to take stronger action against problematic books, including those spreading misinformation or hate speech. While Hoopla removed some offensive titles, the rise of AI-generated books presents a more complex challenge.
Librarians are now calling for greater transparency from digital lending services. Rather than banning AI-generated books outright, they propose clear labeling so readers can distinguish between human-written and AI-created works. As generative AI continues to evolve, libraries will need stronger safeguards to ensure their digital collections remain valuable and trustworthy.
