Westport Library Trustees Vote to Bar Generative AI Materials From Collection

WESTPORT -- June 8, 2026, Westport Library Trustees formally ban generative AI materials from the library's collection. The Board of Library Trustees voted unanimously June 8 to amend the library's collection development policy, adding language under the scope of collection section specifying that "materials compiled using generative AI" are not usually acquired, a move prompted in part by complaints from libraries nationally after digital vendor Hoopla quietly added AI-generated titles to its catalog. Library Director Bonnie also reported that a Connecticut-based nonprofit, Traveling Toys, has offered $5,000 to establish a toy-lending library at the branch after a Westport resident with ties to the organization facilitated the contact; Bonnie plans to meet with the group's representative before the July meeting. The board received a $40,000 prior-year donation figure from the Friends of the Library, whose annual book sale runs September 12 through 19 with a member preview September 11. On a resident proposal for a town poet laureate, floated in multiple emails by Thomas Fredo, the board expressed support in concept but voted to direct Fredo to the Select Board and Westport Cultural Council rather than take the lead itself.