The North Chatham Free Library in upstate New York went viral after promoting a "Bye Bye AI" drop-in event offering hands-on help to disable or limit AI features on phones and computers. The sessions began after repeated patron complaints about automated features like Gmail auto-replies and autocomplete. Organizers stress they are not anti-AI but want to give people choice and practical control over their devices. Hundreds of librarians worldwide have requested materials to run similar programs, reflecting broader public concern about unwanted automation.
Small Upstate NY Library’s 'Bye Bye AI' Help Sessions Go Viral — Teaching People How To Turn Off Unwanted AI
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A small public library in North Chatham, upstate New York, drew widespread online attention after offering hands-on help to patrons who want to disable or limit AI-driven features on their phones and computers. The North Chatham Free Library, which serves roughly 800 cardholders, created a simple "Bye Bye AI" drop-in session that unexpectedly sparked a viral reaction well beyond the hamlet.
Why The Program Started
Shea Wert, the library's only full-time librarian, said the sessions grew from repeated requests: patrons were frustrated by automated features that appeared in software they already use — especially Gmail auto-replies and autocomplete suggestions. The drop-in events provide step-by-step guidance for reducing AI-driven behavior and addressing basic internet privacy concerns.
Teaching, Not Banning
Wert and fellow librarian Hannah Cyrus emphasize the program is not anti-technology. Wert told reporters she uses AI at work for drafting outlines and parsing dense policy text, and she also helps patrons learn to use large language models more effectively. The library previously held an "AI for Seniors" class introducing attendees to artificial intelligence and how these systems work.
"There's just been enough patrons asking about certain things that bothered them, specifically Gmail auto replies and auto completes really frustrate people," Wert said.
Broader Interest From Libraries And The Public
The flyer and the idea resonated far beyond North Chatham: online commenters from across the United States expressed support, and hundreds of librarians requested presentation slides and guidance for running similar workshops. Hannah Cyrus — who has run classes showing people how to disable or avoid AI tools — said librarians worldwide reached out after she published an article about her work.
"Libraries have a role to play in facilitating patrons' rejection of technology, just as much as in their adoption of it," Cyrus wrote in a journal of library studies.
Context: Why People Are Concerned
Concerns about unwanted AI features and unreliable automated outputs are appearing across media and services. Reported incidents include a fake reading list at the Chicago Sun-Times and disturbing AI-generated summaries on the book app Fable. Psychologists have also warned about overreliance on AI in therapy settings. For many patrons, the issue is less opposition to technology itself and more about maintaining control and choice over how features affect their everyday tools.
What The Sessions Offer
- Hands-on, step-by-step help disabling or limiting AI features on phones and computers
- Basic guidance on online privacy settings and automated features
- Introductory education about AI and large language models for interested patrons
The North Chatham Free Library’s experience highlights a broader conversation about user control, digital literacy, and the role of libraries in both helping people adopt new technologies and opt out when they prefer.
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