Cedar Rapids Public Library administrators this week announced the that the new Westside Library will feature AI librarians to conduct the necessary “shushing” of clamorous library patrons when the facility opens in late 2026.
Library Director Aaron Blakesworth said the new facility, currently under construction near the corner of Edgewood Road and 20th Avenue SW, will feature an integrated digital customer check-out system, electronic card catalog, and state-of-the art climate control systems. Yet the library staff realized they had not found a way to incorporate AI into the new facility.
“Everyone knows AI is huge,” Blakesworth said. “So staff spent weeks brainstorming a way to put this amazingly sophisticated technology to work. I can’t imagine any other library in Eastern Iowa will have this feature.”
Blakesworth said he didn’t anticipate the AI librarians to impact human staffing levels.
“We will still need advanced-degreed professionals to deal with patrons who can’t remember the title, author, subject, genre, or cover art of the book they want to check out. I mean, if AI could figure that out, I could see it really taking off.”
What will they come up with next? Books and magazines formatted for cell phones? I’ll believe it when I see it.