Goodnow Library trustees bar AI-generated books from collection

SUDBURY — November 4, 2025 — Goodnow Library trustees ban AI-generated books and tighten food-delivery rules. The Board of Trustees on Nov. 4 voted unanimously to amend the library's collection development policy so it "does not purchase, acquire, or accept donations of books that are primarily generated, authored, written, or narrated by artificial intelligence," and to extend the standard to e-content, which Library Director Amy said is now saturated on Hoopla and showing up on Libby. A second unanimous vote formalized rules for DoorDash and Uber Eats deliveries: patrons must meet drivers outside or in the lobby, staff "will not alert patrons to the presence of delivery drivers," and the intercom will no longer page patrons for food. The director also reported 37 percent of the FY26 operating budget spent — "right on track" — over 300 attendees at the annual pumpkin parade, 100 yellow tulips planted with the health department and Sudbury Garden Club, and more than $61,000 in expected FY25 endowment gifts to the Goodnow Library Foundation. Trustees will vote Dec. 2 on the FY27 budget request, which seeks a salary benchmarking adjustment and a programming-and-outreach librarian position.