Articles
No ads. No affiliate links. No corporate talking points. Just what I wish someone had told me earlier.
This is how I see it: Libraries are drowning. Your staff is burnt out, your budgets are shrinking, and vendors are selling you solutions to problems they created. I've watched this from both sides - I've been the guy in the vendor meeting and the guy running the library's IT. I trained your implementation teams. I know how this game works.
These articles are what I wish someone had told me at the beginning. Practical analysis of AI hype versus reality. Contracts that don't lock you in. Security that actually protects you. And how to build systems that don't depend on one vendor's survival. Pick a category below and start somewhere.
Act: What You Can Do Starting Today
Articles with concrete steps. These won't solve everything, but they're where you start fixing your situation.
The Hidden Cost of Digital Lending
Digital borrowing feels instant. The reality is expiring licenses, price multipliers, and vendor consolidation. Here's the plain-English version.
The Library Workforce Is Breaking. Here's How We Fix It.
Job satisfaction down 20% in two years. 50% of state library leadership retiring. We're in a workforce crisis. Here's the data, what's causing it, and what your library needs to do right now.
AI at the Reference Desk: What Frontline Staff Need to Know
The training you should have gotten. A practical guide for library staff on AI systems, how to answer patron questions about privacy, what red flags look like, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Your Privacy Policy Is Lying About AI (And How to Fix It)
Your policy says you don't share patron data with third parties. But if you're using AI tools, that's not true anymore. Here's the specific language you need, and why this matters before you get sued.
The $17,000 Tax You Don't Have To Pay (DIY Cataloging Guide)
Step-by-step guide to cataloging and processing using free tools. Libraries are paying Baker & Taylor and similar vendors thousands annually for something you can do yourself with better results.
Build Your Own Damn Supply Chain (Vendor Independence Playbook)
Complete playbook for building resilience. Multiple vendors. DIY alternatives. Infrastructure that doesn't collapse when one vendor sneezes. This is how you actually reduce dependence.
How to Actually Talk to Your Board About Cybersecurity Budget
The script that actually gets security funding approved without causing board panic or political fallout. Real-world budget breakdowns, copy-paste talking points, and how to show ROI they actually understand.
Your "All-in-One" Vendor is 200 HTML Files in a Trench Coat
That integrated library platform you're looking at? It's five acquired companies duct-taped together. Here's how to spot Frankenstein software before you sign a 5-year contract.
Planning a Vendor Migration?
Start with these guides to plan your transition strategically:
- Vendor Migration Playbook – Realistic timeline, phases, and budget expectations for system migrations.
- Data Extraction Survival Guide – What actually gets stuck when moving your data. Technical reality and debugging strategies.
- Open-Source Library Tech Evaluation – How to assess open-source systems as alternatives to proprietary vendors.
Understand: What's Actually Happening
Analysis of what went wrong, why the AI adoption stats terrify me, and what the data actually shows about ransomware, market consolidation, and the future of libraries.
AI Adoption Is Not Your Salvation: What the Real Data Says
67% of libraries are adopting AI, but only 26% accuracy on subject headings. The real crisis is staff burnout, underpayment, and a looming talent exodus. Here's what the research actually shows.
Why Baker & Taylor's Collapse Was Just The Preview
I was at Baker & Taylor when Follett bought them. My NDAs are expired. Here's what actually happened and why this is just the beginning of massive vendor consolidation.
Two Libraries, One Day, Two Ransomware Gangs: The British & Toronto Attacks
October 28, 2023, both the British Library and Toronto Public were hit simultaneously. Here's what happened, what we learned, and why your library needs to treat this as an existential threat.
U.S. Libraries Under Siege: The Ransomware Attacks You Haven't Heard About
American libraries are getting hit with ransomware, most fly under the radar. From Baker & Taylor to Seattle Public Library, here's what's happening and what's at stake.
The British Library Ransomware Attack Should Terrify You (And Why AI Makes It Worse)
The British Library was offline for three months after a ransomware attack. Now AI is making library cybersecurity threats even more dangerous. Here's why and what you need to understand.
The Internet Archive Lost Its Lawsuit. Here's What That Means for AI
The Internet Archive lost its Controlled Digital Lending case. Now AI companies are using the same fair use arguments that failed. What does this mean for libraries and copyright?
Your Digital Collections Are Training AI. Did You Know That?
If your digital collections are publicly accessible on the web, they've been used to train AI. Here's what you need to know about AI scraping, fair use, and what to do about it.
The Contract Traps: Why You're Locked In
The dirty secret of library vendor pricing. Five specific contract mechanisms vendors use to lock you in. Know what to look for before you sign.
The Cat's Outta The Bag: Market Dynamics & AI
Why the library market is collapsing, what vendors are doing about it, and how AI is changing the competitive landscape in ways that affect your library.
Track: Regulation, Compliance & Contracts
What librarians need to know about AI legislation, vendor contract red flags, and how to protect your library legally. These are the articles that help you make informed decisions.
The EU AI Act Deep-Dive for Libraries: What Actually Changes
Europe's AI regulation is already reshaping global vendor products. What does high-risk AI mean? What are compliance costs? And why does this matter even if you're not in the EU?
Colorado AI Act for Libraries: The Practical Guide
Colorado just passed the nation's first AI law. It treats education access as protected. Twelve states are copying this template. Here's what your library needs to know right now.
The AI Clauses Your Vendors Are Sneaking Into Contracts
Vendors are adding AI-related clauses to contracts, and most libraries aren't noticing. Red flags in AI/ML, data usage, and training rights. Here's what to watch for and how to push back.