About - Public AI for Libraries

Our Mission

The Public AI Libraries Project is a nonprofit project dedicated to democratizing access to AI tools and resources through libraries and other educational institutions. We are a small team of technologists (Mohsin, Josh, SJ, Nick) and librarians (Jen, Cara, Natalie) who believe that AI should be accessible to everyone without requiring expensive subscriptions or specialized devices.

We are part of the movement for public AI. See our sister projects including the Public AI Network and the Public AI Inference Utility.

What We Provide

We offer libraries and educational institutions bundled access to a curated suite of AI-powered tools including:

Code Development: Online development environments and collaboration tools for programming and app development
AI Chat: Conversational AI for research, learning, and general question answering
Creative Tools: Generate images, presentations, music, video, and other forms of media
Educational Resources: Presentations, documentation, and learning materials

How It Works

Public AI in libraries works much like other library services such as database subscriptions, media bundles, or even physical makerspaces. Instead of each person paying for AI tools on their own, the library provides shared access in a supportive environment.

Why Libraries?

Libraries have always been the cornerstone of knowledge access and learning. In the digital age, they continue to serve as vital community resources for education, research, and innovation. By providing AI tools through libraries, we ensure that:

Students and researchers have equitable access to cutting-edge technology
Educational institutions can integrate AI into their curricula without prohibitive costs
Communities benefit from AI literacy and digital skills development
Knowledge remains accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status

Our Commitment

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy, security, and educational value. Our platform is designed with libraries' needs in mind, offering:

Privacy-focused AI tools that protect user data
Educational-friendly interfaces and features
Comprehensive support and training resources
Regular updates and improvements based on library feedback

Get Started

If your library offers Public AI, ask staff how to access the AI workstation or tools. Or request that they join by forwarding this link to them: https://publicai.network/libraries.