Library services in an AI-powered world
a personnel management perspective
Keywords:
ICT-based library services, Artificial intelligence, Personnel Management, digital transformation, Library Professionals, Library Technologies, Library ServicesAbstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping library services, professional practices, and workforce configurations. This study examines the implications of AI adoption for library services from a personnel management perspective, with emphasis on changing staff roles, competencies, and management strategies. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 174 library professionals drawn from academic, public, school, and special libraries using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, specifically mean and standard deviation. Findings indicate that AI has moderately transformed staff roles by reducing repetitive tasks, improving operational efficiency, and shifting professional responsibilities toward technology mediation, supervision, and ethical oversight. Although respondents acknowledged opportunities for innovation and professional growth, challenges such as fear of job displacement, limited funding for training, skills gaps, and ethical concerns remain significant. The study recommends sustained capacity-building programmes, integration of AI competencies into personnel policies, leadership-driven change management, and collaborative training initiatives. The study provides empirical evidence from a developing-country context and practical guidance for aligning personnel management strategies with responsible, inclusive AI adoption in library services.
References
Abba, T. (2024). Use of artificial intelligence technologies in rendering library services: An empirical evidence from University Libraries in Africa. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 34(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajlais.v34il.2
Ahmed, R. (2024). The role of artificial intelligence in the modern library management . International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 10(6), 20-27.
Ashfaq, M., Yun, J., Yu, S., & Loureiro, S. M. C. (2020). I, chatbot: Modeling the determinants of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention of AI-powered service agents. Telematics and Informatics, 54, 101473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2020.101473 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2020.101473
Asim, M., Mahmood, K., & Batool, S. H. (2023). Investigating applications of artificial intelligence in university libraries of Pakistan: An empirical study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(6), 102781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102803 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102803
Chipembele, M., Ng’andwe, E., Ndalameta-Theo, E. & Monde, M. W. (2025). Adoption of artificial intelligence in academic libraries in African Universities: A scoping review. International Journal of Science and Technology (IJSAT), 16(3). https://www.ijsat.org/papers/2025/3/8003.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i3.8003
Cox, A. (2024). Academic librarian competencies and artificial intelligence. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 90(2), 1–16. https://journals.co.za/doi/full/10.7553/90-2-2405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7553/90-2-2405
Das, R. K., & Islam, M. S. U. (2021). Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Libraries: A Systematic Review. arXiv preprint arXiv:2112.04573. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2112.04573.
Emumejakpor, E. O., Ovie, E. C., & Ekuerhare, O. (2024). Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in library services for national development: A review of literature. Niger Delta Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13293305.
Fabunmi, S. O., & Akinyemi, O. E. (2025). Assessing the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on library services and users’ experience in the university library. Communicate: Journal of Library and Information Science, 26(2), 127–140. https://www.cjolis.org/index.php/cjolis/article/view/119
Hussain, A. & Khan, A. (2025). Librarian acceptance of artificial intelligence in academic libraries of islamabad: An application of the technology acceptance model. Technical Services Quarterly, 42(3-4): 297-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2025.2512280. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2025.2512280
Gupta, V. (2024). AI experimentation policy for libraries: Balancing innovation and data privacy. JPublic Library Quarterly, 29(2), 213-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161846.2024.2445356. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2024.2445356
Kaushal, V., & Yadav, R. (2022). The role of chatbots in academic libraries: An experience-based perspective. Journal of Australian Library and Information Association, 71(3): 215-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2022.2106403 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2022.2106403
Kisilowska-Szurmińska, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in academic libraries – a tool, a collaborator, an adversary? A delphi study of university librarians in Poland. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 51 (5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103114
Lo, L. S. (2024). Evaluating AI literacy in academic libraries: A survey study with a focus on U.S. employees. College & Research Libraries, 85(5), 635–660.https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.635 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.635
Lund, B. D., Omame, I. , Tijani, S., & Agbaji, D. (2020). Perceptions toward artificial intelligence among academic library employees and alignment with the diffusion of innovations’ adopter categories. College & Research Libraries, 81(5), 821–840. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.81.5.865
Molaudzi, A. I., & Ngulube, P. (2025). Use of artificial intelligence innovations in public academic libraries: Implications for staff training and service delivery. IFLA Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352241301780 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352241301780
Mwantimwa, K. & Msoffe, G. (2025). Application of generative artificial intelligence in library operations and service delivery: A scoping review. Technical Services Quartely, 42(2), 139-168. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2025.2467574. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2025.2467574
Nkomo, S., & Matli, W. (2025). Adoption of artificial intelligence for library services at universities in Africa: Are we there yet? South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 91(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.7553/91-2-2469. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7553/91-2-2469
Olowookere, O. & Isah, A. (2025). Artificial intelligence an machine learning in libraries: Application and implications. International Journal of Academic Library and Information Science,13(3):102-113. https://doi.org/10.14662/ijalis2025170.
Omeluzor, S. U., Ojukwu, M. U., & Enakrire, R. T. (2024). Potentials of artificial intelligence in collection development in Nigerian university libraries. Communicate: Journal of Library and Information Science. https://www.cjolis.org/index.php/cjolis/article/view/123/105
Peter, A. O. and Akinyemi, O. E. (2024). The changing role of librarians in artificial intelligence (AI) era: A review of opportunities and challenges. Plasu Journal of Library, Archival and Information Science, 1(2), 63-71
Rafiq, R. A. M. (2025). Evolving special libraries in the European Union: From traditional models to AI-driven technologies, facts, findings, and implementations. International Journal of Academic Research nd Development, 10(1), 1-12.
Rodriguez, S., Szydlowski, n. & Cai, J. (2025). Library-Led AI: Building a library chatbot as service and strategy. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/Library-LedAI.pdf
Sousa, N. (2025). ethical and practical implications of AI in academic library research. IFLA Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352251391753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352251391753
Tella, A. (2023). Application of artificial intelligence for reference services in academic libraries: A global overview through a systematic review of literature. Journal of library Resource sharing, 32(1-5): 11-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/26915979.2023.2281668. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26915979.2023.2281668
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 KLISC Journal of Information Science & Knowledge Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.