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.