Hi Mark,

I feel a little bit like I'm in the same boat as you - I've been at this
for a number of years now - managing ILS and doing work around such
systems. For me it's been since the late 90s and this really feels like one
of the most transformative times in technology that I've been through. It
is however hard to tell which way things are going to break. To me, it
feels like the pros are starting to outweigh the cons - but I will
acknowledge that current environmental impacts aren't great. Things seem to
be improving there with more efficient / lightweight models, etc but only
time will tell of course. There's no such thing as ethical consumption. I
know many don't feel the same sense of positivity that I do, and that's
perfectly valid - there are many that do share my/our same sentiment.

I'm not sure if you have caught this, but there's also a new email listserv
that some folks here have been joining. It seems likely worth checking out:
https://listserv.it.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A0=LIBRARY-LLM

Personally I'm really excited to see what folks are up to with this
technology! I really think it's going to have a large net benefit on the
library and information science community ... if we can figure out how to
properly harness it.

--Ray

On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 2:25 PM Alex Dunn <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> You're right to listen to those doubts.  The use of LLMs is a
> cognitive hazard, magnified when used in contexts you're not already
> an expert in:
> https://www.baldurbjarnason.com/2025/trusting-your-own-judgement-on-ai/
>
> The code they produce, even when it functions as intended, is
> impossible to maintain: code without an author is tech debt as soon as
> it is produced, because there is no individual with the understanding
> that comes from writing it.
>
> Even if the above was not the case, widespread use of LLMs is an
> environmental and social disaster, consuming resources at a
> catastrophic rate and supporting noxious ideologies:
> https://aworkinglibrary.com/writing/toolmen
>
> Instead of engaging with LLMs, consider collaborating with other human
> colleagues on sustainable, ethical work.
>
> On Mon, Jun 8, 2026 at 6:10 PM Mark Andrews
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > I've not been a list member in some years and recently joined again. I
> hope this question - "Whither the ILS or LSP" - is not off-putting. I
> wonder if this problem has been solved to death? Here is why I ask.
> >
> > I received my MLS from Mizzou in May '86 and started my first library
> job in June '86. Fast forward and I've worked 40 years. That includes 9
> years in the library automation industry and 9 more years as a systems
> librarian. The only thing I've never done is write a serious piece of code.
> Last November, out of curiosity and boredom, I started "vibe" coding. I
> tried out a variety LLMs before I found one I like using. It cost me $300
> or so over 6 months. Not an outrageous amount of money. A first lesson is
> it is a rush to see the machine write code, and I can easily spend myself
> broke without some discipline.
> >
> > My tools of choice are Golang, SQL, the Rego configuration language, and
> the Qwen3.6 Plus model on opencode.ai.
> >
> > I have the bare skeleton of something remotely like a product. It's made
> of 37.5K lines of Golang (excluding a vast amount of generated gRPC
> protobuf stubs) and 1,350 of lines SQL for MariaDB. It compiles and I can
> load bib and authority records to my heart's content. All greenfield code
> based on years spent supporting 6 ILSs, large and small. It was at this
> point I remembered the sage advice of "Cookiness Evereat" on Sesame Street,
> who said, "Wait! Me gotta stop, and think!"
> >
> > "Do I really want to build this thing? Really?" Nine years on The Dark
> Side made me and broke me. When I found myself perilously close to doing
> things to my customers and not for them, I quit. I've felt guilty about
> that for decades. Does the profession truly need another tool and am I the
> person to build it? I do not know. I do know I can't make this decision
> alone. I am posting here looking for honest feedback. Truly, I may be of
> more use quietly advancing someone else's project under their leadership.
> >
> > FYI, I'm an app admin at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. I don't
> speak for Creighton in any way, shape or form. I'll finish 20 years there
> in January 2027. Thank you in advance for your time and help. I wish you
> all peace and Days Without Drama (tm).
> >
> > Mark Andrews
>


-- 
Ray Voelker
(937) 620-1830