A quick follow-up to my previous post about AI vs librarian recommendations, this Dec. 11 article from Publishers Weekly, Word-of-Mouth Recs Best AI at Everand, Fable,
The report, based on user activity data from both platforms and a survey of more than 1,600 U.S. adults using the platforms, found that "people I know personally" ranks as the top source of book discovery, holding its position even as AI-driven recommendation tools proliferated in 2025. That human connection extends to sharing a book with a friend or family member, which proved more popular then "saving to a shelf" as the most common action readers take after finishing a book.
Library workers would fall into people they know. Get into the habit of speaking to your patrons and encouraging staff to talk to them about books. Make it clear from your social media posts and the atmosphere in your buildings that you are a place for readers and the reading curious. Become the center for books in your community.
Use interactive book displays to encourage your patrons to suggest books to each other. Have patrons suggest read alikes for a popular title. Have them suggest a favorite book based upon a theme, plot, location... I have a presentation called Book Displays That Do More if you are interested in more ideas for making your displays into passive programs.
Staff favorites pulled from your shelves is another way to share books. Encourage your entire staff to participate in book displays. everyone is an expert in something! Staff who are comfortable can add their name to the display and create conversations with patrons with similar interests.
Library workers will always give better readers advisory than AI could ever.
