{"id":34171,"date":"2026-04-14T07:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T12:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/?p=34171"},"modified":"2026-04-15T09:04:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:04:20","slug":"ai-frisco-public-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/2026\/04\/14\/ai-frisco-public-library\/","title":{"rendered":"From Apps to AI: How Frisco Public Library Is Building a Culture of Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since opening its doors in March 2023, Frisco Public Library<\/a> has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative library spaces in Texas. Housed in a transformed 150,000+ square foot former rocket factory, the facility reflects the city\u2019s investment in the future of learning. From maker spaces and VR equipment to a towering T-Rex skeleton named \u201cRexy,\u201d the building is designed to spark curiosity and exploration at every turn. As the Adult Services Manager, Thomas Finley puts it, “the experience is really important to us, from the greeting you get when you arrive, to all of the constructed amenities, which also includes our approach to tech learning here as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Frisco Public Library, innovation isn\u2019t a buzzword. It\u2019s an expectation rooted in years of listening to the community and evolving alongside it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
The Frisco Public Library Foundation funded the creation of “Rexy,” a 22-foot-tall T-Rex replica, at the Frisco Public Library. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Back in 2013, the library\u2019s master plan revealed a clear vision from residents: they wanted the library to serve as a guide in an increasingly complex information landscape. That idea continues to shape the library\u2019s approach today, especially when it comes to technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were told the library should be navigators,\u201d said Adult Services Manager, Thomas Finley. \u201cThat really stuck with us, and it\u2019s guided how we think about teaching and technology ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a Teaching Library<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, Frisco has worked to embed teaching into its culture. From early programs like \u201c30 apps in 30 minutes\u201d to hands-on training in Microsoft Office, 3D design, and 3D printing, staff have been encouraged to share knowledge and build skills across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe run really lean,\u201d Finley said. \u201cExpecting staff to teach, this is what the community wants. Giving people the opportunity to teach is part of the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To support that, the library has invested in training staff not just in technical skills, but in how to teach effectively. The goal is flexibility. If one instructor is unavailable, another staff member can step in. That adaptability has been key as technology continues to shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Mindful Approach to AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even before the pandemic, Frisco Public Library was beginning to help their patrons explore artificial intelligence, from experimenting with smart speakers and coding to building early chatbots. Today, AI has become a central focus. \u201cIt used to be laser cutting or Microsoft Office,\u201d Finley said. \u201cNow it\u2019s AI.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the approach isn\u2019t blind enthusiasm. Staff and leadership alike have wrestled with real concerns around privacy, ethics, and content ownership. \u201cIt\u2019s not all roses and AI rainbows,\u201d Finley said. \u201cWe put forth the effort because it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than avoid those concerns, the library brings them into the classroom. \u201cShare these concerns in your class. Talk about it. Make people aware,\u201d he said. \u201cBut also talk about what it\u2019s good for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This balanced approach helps patrons better understand both the potential and the risks, while positioning the library as a trusted source of information in a rapidly changing space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding Expertise Beyond Staff<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frisco\u2019s success hasn\u2019t come from staff alone. The library has built a strong network of local volunteers and community experts who contribute to programming, especially in specialized areas like AI and career development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve developed a good cadre of volunteer experts,\u201d Finley said. \u201cThey see what we\u2019re doing and want to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programs have also evolved beyond basic introductions. Instead of generic \u201cAI 101\u201d sessions, the library now offers more targeted classes like career planning with AI or practical, everyday applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, digital learning platforms like Udemy help extend access to knowledge beyond the building, giving patrons 24\/7 opportunities to build skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying Flexible in a Fast-Changing World<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest challenges with emerging technology is how quickly it changes. Interfaces shift, tools evolve, and new platforms appear almost daily. \u201cIt\u2019s a low-level challenge, but things are constantly changing,\u201d Finley said. \u201cWhat did Claude (GenAI tool) change today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite that uncertainty, the library remains committed to staying current and continuing to teach. \u201cWe can\u2019t stop teaching AI. That\u2019s not what people expect of us,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are constantly moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Library That Meets the Moment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From legacy maker kits funded years ago from a TSLAC grant to cutting-edge AI programming today, Frisco Public Library continues to adapt its services to meet real community needs. The goal isn\u2019t just to introduce new technology. It\u2019s to make sure people understand it, feel confident using it, and can think critically about its impact. \u201cAI is not going away,\u201d Finley said. \u201cLearn about it, what it is, and what it can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a few years after opening, the new Frisco Public Library is already living up to its promise as a high-tech community hub. The building may be new, but the mission remains the same: to help people make sense of a rapidly changing world and feel confident stepping into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Finley reflects, \u201cI can\u2019t think of a better time to be Librarian than now, with discovering and navigating all that AI has to offer. I am sure there will be something else on the tech horizon before we know it, and when that happens, we will just lean into whatever that is too.\u201d And in Frisco, the library isn\u2019t just keeping up with change, it\u2019s helping lead the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since opening its doors in March 2023, Frisco Public Library has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative library spaces in Texas. Housed in a transformed 150,000+ square foot former rocket factory, the facility reflects the city\u2019s investment in the future of learning. From maker spaces and VR equipment to a towering T-Rex…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":33555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59,15],"tags":[994,955,1126,1100,1275,926],"class_list":["post-34171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-public-libraries","category-technology","tag-ai","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-frisco","tag-frisco-public-library","tag-rexy","tag-texas-libraries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34171"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34206,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34171\/revisions\/34206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}