Library trustees add generative-AI exclusion to collection policy

The Westport Board of Trustees voted to amend the library’s collection policy to state that the library does not usually collect materials compiled using generative artificial intelligence.

At the meeting trustees discussed concerns about copyright and the quality of AI-generated materials before a trustee read the proposed insertion into the “scope of the collection” section: “materials compiled using generative AI.” After a motion to add the line was made and seconded, trustees voted in favor; the transcript records the motion, a second, and voices saying “all in favor” but does not provide a formal roll-call tally.

Trustees and staff framed the change as a modest, targeted clarification rather than a broad ban. Speakers cited copyright and quality issues as the principal reasons for excluding generative-AI compilations from acquisitions; one trustee asked whether “generative AI” differs from other AI, and staff said the distinction was intended to address materials produced by large-language or generative models rather than routine software-assisted processes.

The amendment was handled as a policy change to the existing collection scope, which includes other non-collected categories such as rare books, manuscripts and study guides. The board did not specify any immediate enforcement procedure beyond the normal acquisitions workflow; details such as appeals or exception processes were not discussed and were marked for future practice.

The action follows prior, routine agenda items at the meeting and will be reflected in the updated policy distributed to trustees and staff. The board did not attach a sunset date or implementation schedule in the recorded discussion.

What happens next: trustees approved the amendment at the meeting, and the updated policy will be incorporated into the library’s collection-policy document for staff reference and acquisitions decisions.