Montana Commission Uses AI to Analyze Library Book Lists

The commission is testing whether AI can monitor viewpoint diversity in local collections to address potential ideological bias.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring an arrangement of geometric book-spine shapes, representing institutional oversight and data analysis. — The Montana State Library Commission is evaluating whether AI models can objectively measure viewpoint diversity in public library book collections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local libraries actively ensure their collections represent a broad balance of diverse viewpoints?

The Montana State Library Commission is evaluating whether large language models can effectively measure viewpoint diversity in local library collections. During an October 14, 2026, meeting, officials reviewed an AI-generated analysis of the Miles City Public Library nonfiction acquisition list.

Why it matters

Commissioners are exploring whether automated analysis can address concerns regarding the potential bias of book selectors and maintain public trust. The outcome may signal how state-level bodies might intervene or provide guidance on the ideological balance of materials in public institutions.

Commissioner Tom Burnett utilized a large language model to categorize nonfiction acquisition titles based on political and philosophical markers. The analysis yielded a 33-10 ratio of progressive to traditional viewpoints, though the commission has not established a standard for what constitutes a balanced collection.

The players

Montana State Library Commission

The state body responsible for governing library services and collection policies across Montana.

Tom Burnett

A Montana State Library commissioner who initiated the use of AI tools to evaluate nonfiction acquisition lists.

Miles City Public Library

A local public library whose nonfiction acquisition list served as the test case for the commission's AI analysis.

The details

The commission reviewed the AI analysis as part of ongoing discussions regarding library collection policies. Large language models — algorithms trained on vast text datasets to predict and classify content based on statistical patterns — were used here to assign political leanings to individual titles. While the commission affirms it does not ban books, it is weighing how book selection processes, which typically rely on circulation data, patron requests, and feedback, might be perceived by the public.

August 2022: Commission adopted the Freedom to Read statement.
December 2024: Commission voted to remove the Freedom to Read statement.
February 2026: Commissioner Cuthbertson led a neutrality discussion.
September 2026: Commissioner Burnett requested book acquisition lists.
October 14, 2026: Commission held a business meeting in Miles City.

The Tech Race

The move to use AI as a tool for administrative oversight signals a shift toward algorithmic auditing in public institutions. This pilot effort sits in contrast to established library neutrality frameworks that prioritize professional curation and local community feedback over automated viewpoint classification.

Local patrons in Montana may see changes to how library collections are evaluated and managed if the commission adopts new oversight policies. Decisions on acquisition standards for public libraries remain at the local level, but commission guidance could influence future selection processes in regional facilities.

The takeaway

The commission's experiment highlights a growing interest in using generative AI to audit public information repositories. Interested residents should monitor the minutes of the upcoming December commission meeting to see if these evaluation methods are formalized into state-wide library policy.

What happens next

The Montana State Library Commission is scheduled to meet in December 2026 to discuss parental concerns, children's access to library materials, and broader commission responsibilities.