Matt Enis

Large language model generative AIs are deceptively easy to use. Enter a natural language prompt, get an answer. But librarians are all too familiar with the imperfections of GenAI. Answers may be incomplete or completely incorrect. Sources may be conflated or made up. EBSCO has been working to create an alternative with the development of EBSCOhost AI Exchange, a new AI tool designed to generate responses using vetted EBSCO content.

Library vendors have made several announcements recently, including many during the recent American Library Association (ALA) conference in Chicago at the end of June. Here’s some recent news from this year’s exhibition: Following a lengthy development process, SOLUS has launched the LibraryPro. The smartphone-sized device includes a 2D barcode scanner, an NFC/RFID antenna, a thermal printer, a 10+ hour battery, and a docking station.

“Disengaging with AI guarantees your vulnerability, and it guarantees harm to your position. So even if you don’t like it, even if you don’t want to use it, the people that you serve will be harmed” without your help, Michael Hanegan, founder of the Center for the Future of Learning and Work, said during the “Ethical AI in Libraries: A Critical Look at the Promise and Potential” panel at the 2026 American Library Association (ALA) Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.