Libby’s secret AI characteristic shocked me

E book-lending app Libby will get lots of use on my gadgets. As a voracious reader and an E Ink tablet enthusiast, I in all probability learn at the least a dozen books a month due to Libby so when this app has a brand new characteristic to take a look at, I need to bounce in and mess around with it instantly. A number of days in the past, I came upon by way of Reddit that there was an experimental new AI characteristic within the app that’s designed to assist readers discover their subsequent e book. I used to be somewhat skeptical of this new characteristic as I am not an enormous fan of AI usually, however I used to be nonetheless excited to check it out.

Nonetheless, it seems to be like this characteristic is a bit arduous to seek out, as app customers will not discover it on any menus throughout its preliminary rollout. As a substitute, you must enter a magic phrase into Libby’s search field.

Getting began with #InspireMe

The chatbot is only one key phrase away

Getting began with the chatbot is pretty straightforward, all you must do is kind #InspireMe (with the hashtag) into Libby’s search field on the high of the display. From there, you may be greeted with a space-y background and a immediate field, that features a number of fundamental classes you’ll be able to select from, like “nerdy,” “mythic,” or “haunted.” Following that, the chatbot provides you with some fundamental synopses of broad plot tropes which you’ll then choose from to see 5 choices obtainable at your library that match these broad classes. In accordance with Libby, this new characteristic prioritizes volumes that may be borrowed instantly, so it is simpler than ever to seek out your subsequent learn.

Along with performing these broad searches, it’s also possible to use Libby’s #InspireMe AI characteristic to suggest books based mostly on tags you employ within the app. I initially used this to search for books based mostly on the eyeball emoji tag, which I created for books I need to circle again to and browse later when my TBR is backed up.

Canva/Pocket-lint

The AI suggestions from that tag labored properly sufficient, however I used to be shocked after I went again and tried to get suggestions based mostly on one other tag I created for books I began however did not end I I discovered that there was a time restrict in between tag-based searches. There does not appear to be something like this for the usual immediate, which I used to be in a position to make use of a number of instances to generate completely different outcomes.

When you’re carried out with the chatbot, you’ll be able to shut it by choosing the Menu button on the high left. To re-access it, you need not kind the key phrase once more, simply press the Libby icon on the heart of your menu bar on the backside on the display to begin once more.

Is that this AI carried out proper?

I do not know the way a lot I will use this characteristic, however my first impression is sweet

Pocket-lint/Canva

I’m loath to say that I like an AI characteristic in 2025, however I’ve to say that this one impressed me. It is unassuming, unobtrusive, and whereas I do not know if I personally will ever use it once more, I can see it being helpful for many who are caught in terms of discovering their subsequent learn.

Although there are many moral questions in terms of the environmental impression of AI, Libby’s AI policy says that the characteristic has been particularly designed to attenuate vitality impression. As well as, the AI bot doesn’t save any particulars about you or your system, and solely makes use of your studying historical past should you particularly ask it to (like in my case with the tag).

It is price noting that there was vital backlash to this characteristic on-line, with many customers on Reddit decrying the addition of one more AI characteristic to an app that did not actually need it. I can not say I totally disagree with that sentiment, however I’ll say that I used to be shocked at how a lot I did like utilizing the app. So long as it stays a hidden, non-obligatory characteristic I can not say I am too mad about it being an possibility for many who would profit from it.