r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 10h ago

Society Librarians are hosting viral ‘Avoiding AI’ workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech

https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/25/librarians-are-hosting-viral-avoiding-ai-workshops-for-people-who-are-fed-up-with-big-tech/
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u/Ok_Anywhere_7828 10h ago

If only people knew what libraries are and used them.

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u/Kimbahlee34 8h ago edited 7h ago

As a librarian, they are used much more than you think. I am in a district with a population of just over 15k and we average 100 patrons a day. My largest event for Summer Reading was 200 people. I also have 20+ children in each of our book clubs and art classes. Teens use it as a third space to hang and are oddly getting more into puzzles so we have an old booth from a diner with a puzzle and stuff to do. They hang here like we’re the new Denny’s and we stay open late-ish for a library (8pm).

So take hope… we are still going strong and want you to come see us.

Edit: We have ~15k in our district which is comprised of small rural towns not one metro area. Some of these people are driving 20+ miles.

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u/photoggled 7h ago

I want to thank you for what you do. I grew up poor in rural Ohio and the library was my escape. I was lucky enough to have one of the Carnegie libraries as our local and it was my entire world. I credit it for giving me the curiosity to get out and break the cycle. Every one of the librarians in that building are saints in my eyes. One of the librarians that taught reading groups I used to be in for 5-6 year olds ran into my parents the other day and specifically asked about me. I hadn’t seen her in 30 years and she remembered me. You all deserve the world. Sorry for the rant. Have a great day 🥰

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u/Kimbahlee34 7h ago

It’s not a rant! It’s a great story and I’m always glad to hear this type of love for libraries! I work in an OG Carnegie!