I find it ironic that we know how important stories and creativity are when it comes to the library and why we’re here. And yet, AI’s current popular forms–large language models and art generators–have consistently devalued those stories and creativity, that human element. I know there is a big push to adopt and get comfortable with new technologies in the library. Or, even if we don’t want to use them ourselves, we have to know what’s going on so we as information professionals can guide people to use these tools wisely and understand their limitations.
I get that. I’m still very uneasy with a technology that has stolen creative work, accelerated the use of limited environmental resources, and begun to drown out human voices. (That last one is personal–I submit stories to fiction magazines, and I don’t want them to get overwhelmed by AI spam and have to close! Human-made stories are infinitely more surprising, interesting, humorous, emotional–everything I want out of stories.)
So for this reflection on the power of stories, I decided to try a side-by-side comparison. I wrote and recorded my own story in my own voice, and then I told ChatGPT to generate a story and used TextSpeakPro to narrate that one as well. Have a listen and/or look at the transcripts, and see what you think. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you where my own preference lies.
My story: https://recorder.google.com/7e0037a1-abbb-42b1-aefe-83a19b7b86de
AI’s story: https://textspeakpro.com?id=Uq50B-83q01-asv75
Transcripts after the jump.
Transcripts
My Story
I wanted to tell the story of how I rediscovered the library. It’s probably a familiar one. I used the library as a kid, although we lived a little far away. I barely remember getting my very first library card, though I know I was young enough that the librarian wrote my name on it for me, so I was probably about 4 or 5. As I got older, sometimes I would bike there by myself and check out books. But I moved away for college and then got so busy with all my homework that I barely read books for fun. Everything was equations, programming assignments, or even building circuits and machines in the lab instead of reading.
When I was finally done with school (at least the first time around), I discovered Goodreads and the TBR, or to-be-read list. I realized with all the renting and potential moving around that was in my future, I didn’t want to buy every book I wanted to read (which also adds up!). Enter my new-to-me local library. I remember gathering up a whole bunch of books on my want-to-read list on Goodreads, other books I didn’t realize were out from authors I knew and loved, and books that just plain looked interesting.
I began to check out big piles, like 8 books at a time. It always felt like I had just had an amazing shopping spree, but instead of spending hundreds of dollars and feeling bad if I didn’t like what I’d picked, I could read as much as I wanted (or not at all) and bring everything back later for other people to enjoy again. Since my first adult library card I’ve been completely hooked, even over the pandemic when I shifted to Libby and ebooks. I know the library has been much more than books for a while now–like a place to print things! (Just kidding.) But it was the books that brought me back and reminded me how much I love libraries.
AI Story
can you write a 300-word essay in first person about why someone loves the library
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely! Here’s a 300-word first-person essay about why someone loves the library:
I love the library. It’s more than just a place filled with books—it’s a sanctuary. Whenever I walk through the doors, I feel a wave of calm wash over me. There’s something comforting about the quiet hum of people reading, the soft rustle of pages turning, and the welcoming scent of old paper and polished wood. It’s like the whole world slows down just enough for me to breathe.
I’ve always found libraries magical. As a kid, they were portals to other worlds—places where dragons soared, mysteries unraveled, and heroes triumphed. I remember curling up in a corner with a book that felt too big for my hands but just right for my imagination. As I’ve grown older, the library has grown with me. It’s where I go to study, to think, to dream. Whether I’m researching for school, discovering a new novel, or just needing a peaceful spot to reflect, the library is my go-to place.
But what I love most about the library is that it’s for everyone. No matter your age, background, or income, the doors are open. It’s a place of equal opportunity, where knowledge is free and curiosity is encouraged. The librarians are always kind and helpful, ready to guide me to resources I didn’t even know I needed.
The library reminds me that learning never stops. It keeps me grounded in my values and inspired to grow. In a fast-paced, noisy world, the library is my refuge—a place where I can slow down, explore, and be fully myself. I love the library not just for what it offers, but for what it represents: freedom, community, and the power of stories to connect us all.
Would you like a version with a specific age group or tone (e.g., more poetic, humorous, or academic)?
Great job on your post! Your little experiment was a great way to test the limits of technology and highlight how human creativity is still an important factor when creating art or papers that have more depth and meaning. For one of my reflection posts this semester I actually discussed some of my thoughts on ChatGPT and I highlighted a conversation that two SJSU professors had about its pros and cons. I really recommend watching the video if you have time, it was very informative and thought provoking. Here’s a link to the video: https://youtu.be/4kOsZYMU7sk?si=8m6MeI3b6Udi1E_x
I enjoyed reading about your experiment so much, I had to see what ChatGPT would say if I used the same prompt. I used the free version and stayed logged out, but the first short paragraphs are almost verbatim to yours. My last couple of diverge from yours, but still interesting that it would ask if I wanted a perspective change. So I asked where it sourced its information about libraries and it responded with no particular place, just from commonly found sentiments people say about libraries. This also leads me to think if our initial paragraphs are the same, we as library folk need to get more varied narratives out there.
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Absolutely! Here’s a 300-word first-person essay about why someone loves the library:
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I love the library because it has always felt like a second home to me. Ever since I was a child, the quiet hum of pages turning and the faint scent of old books have brought me a sense of comfort and curiosity. The library is where I first fell in love with stories—fantastical adventures, historical dramas, and quiet reflections on everyday life. Each book opened a new world, and the library offered endless doors to walk through.
But it’s more than just the books. The library is a place of peace in a busy world. It’s where I go to think, to write, and to breathe. There’s something grounding about sitting among shelves filled with knowledge and imagination. Even when I’m not reading, just being there feels inspiring. It reminds me that there’s always more to learn and discover.
I also love how the library brings people together. I’ve seen children excitedly picking out their first books, students helping each other with homework, and seniors gathering for book clubs. It’s one of the few places where people of all ages and backgrounds come together simply to learn and grow.
The library has supported me in more ways than I can count. When I couldn’t afford to buy textbooks in college, the library was there. When I needed quiet space to prepare for job interviews, it was my refuge. And when I was looking for new ideas to spark my writing, it never failed to deliver.
To me, the library isn’t just a building filled with books—it’s a symbol of possibility. It’s a place where I’ve grown, dreamed, and found myself. That’s why I love the library, and why I’ll always keep coming back.
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Would you like a version tailored for a younger or older narrator?
I really loved your idea for this post! I’ve admittedly felt similarly wary about generative AI as well for the same reasons — especially the environmental impact which I feel like is underdiscussed.
It was really interesting to see a side-by-side with your human-generated story vs the AI one. While the AI story isn’t bad, per se, I feel like it is especially jarring knowing that it is not “real”. Especially with that in mind, it starts feeling overly contrived — purposefully hitting all the “right” points to try and evoke sentimentality. It is also interesting that the AI version of libraries doesn’t touch upon any of the newer evolutionary services of libraries — such as makerspaces and other such programs/events that’re offered.
Conversely, your story definitely hit more for me exactly because I knew it was real. (I really loved your comparison of library book hauls to shopping sprees! That’s how I feel too — and I’ve even gotten in the habit of sharing pictures of all the stuff I picked up at the library with friends.) This then leads me to want people to take a moment to think about what they truly want — do you truly want to celebrate creativity and the human spirit or do you just want AI cranking out the “perfect” answer through analytical, pattern-searching and synthesizing? I just find it heavily ironic that we’d once thought that new technologies would help automate menial labor (and of course, there are technologies that do) so that we could focus on more soul-nurturing creative pursuits (like writing), but now generative AI has created a world where it’s starting to reflect the opposite.