AI in Academic Libraries: Bridging the Gap between Technological Possibilities and Institutional Realities
Mandira Bairagi
Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science
Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, India
Librarian, DVR & Dr HS MIC College of Technology
Co-Presenter Name(s): Dr Shalini Lihitkar
Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Asia, India
Language in Which You Will Present: English
Target Audience(s): Librarian and Research Scholar
Short Session Description (one line): How academic college libraries can leverage artificial intelligence in changing scenario of user perception.
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world library services in various ways by making information search smarter, automating styles, recommendation engines, chatbots, and computer-assisted research provision. Nevertheless, the adoption of AI technologies within the libraries of engineering colleges, especially in developing countries, is hectic and limited to a number of institutional, financial, and cultural reasons. Although leading institutions and larger universities have started adopting technologies such as RFID-based automation, intelligent search, robotics in inventory management, and AI-based advisory services, most of the private and non-government-based academic colleges have a big obstacle. They are financial limitations, the inadequacy of the technical infrastructure, lack of administrative backing, and a falling view of the conventional role of libraries in the digital era. This presentation will discuss the state of the AI implementation in engineering college libraries, the opportunities that can be realized using AI-assisted in libraries, and critique the problems of libraries in developing parts of Asia. It also talks about the way in which librarians can rebrand themselves as information brokers and partners in research and not merely as book custodians. Last but not least, the session sheds light on ethical issues related to the adoption of AI in libraries, such as the authorship, intellectual property issues, the transparency of AI-generated content, and the responsible use of AI to conduct academic research and provide information services.
Objectives of the Presentation
The presentation aims to:
- Critically discuss the application of AI technologies in the present academic library of Asian country, special case in India.
- List the areas on which AI can help libraries and research support.
- Talk about financial and institutional obstacles to the implementation of AI in the developing world.
- Examine the evolving attitude towards libraries in Smartphone world.
- Discuss the future of librarians in information environments that are AI-assisted.
- Emphasize ethical concerns in AI-sustained knowledge services.
- Introduction: Libraries in the Digital Age
Traditionally, libraries were the main knowledge organizing and access points. Perhaps, as the digital technologies rapidly evolved, the field of artificial intelligence is coming to control information discovery, research process, and communication within the academic field. Intelligent search systems, machine learning, and natural language processing are examples of AI technologies that can be used to make the library operations and the research support scaled up to a greater extent. Meanwhile, most students and faculty members now feel that a computer with a smart phone and internet connection is enough to gain knowledge, and this poses a serious question:
Main concern of the section: What is the role of libraries in the age of AI and digital information?
- Possible AI use in academic college libraries:
Artificial intelligence is able to assist in a number of functions of the library:
Smart Information Retrieval: Use of AI-based discovery systems has the potential of analyzing the query made by the user and giving semantic search results, which enhance efficiency of information searching.
On-demand Cataloguing and Metadata Creation: Machine learning algorithms may help librarians in subject indexing, classification and metadata enrichment.
Recommendation Systems: AI is also able to recognize user behavior and suggest appropriate books, articles, or research databases.
AI-Based Reference Services: Virtual assistants and chatbots may be used to offer 24/7 reference to answer frequently asked questions by students and researchers.
Smart Inventory and RFID Systems: Shelf reading and tracking of books can be automated with the use of technologies like RFID and robot inventories.
Research Support and Literature Review Support: The researchers can be assisted by AI tools in: Literature discovery Identifying research gaps Generalizing the research trends. Organizing references
Main concern of the section: How AI can enhance library services rather than replace librarians.
- Reality in Developing Countries and Asian Academic Institutions
Regardless of these opportunities, AI is not used extensively in most academic college libraries.
Financial Constraints Infrastructure: AI, automation, or digital platforms are expensive to invest in and such investment duration cannot be afforded by numerous non-government or even private organizations.
Inequality in Technological Development: Elite institutions like IITs, NITs (In India) and central universities regularly have access to RFID automation, digital repositories, smart discovery systems. But the majority of scholarly college libraries are very poorly staffed technologically.
Absence of Administrative Support: The development of library technology is not given much priority by the management in most institutions.
Infrastructure Limitations: Common challenges include: limited internet bandwidth obsolete automation systems.
Lack of technical expertise
Main concern of the section: Barriers of implication AI-based services in academic libraries in Asian country
- The Perception Crisis of Libraries
The other issue is the transformation of the perception of the role of the library:
It is believed by a lot of students and faculty:
- “Google is enough.”
- “Everything is available online.”
- “Why do we need a library?”
This view does not consider the significant roles that librarians play in:
Information evaluation, research guidance, database navigation, academic integrity and support scholarly communication.
Main concern of the section: Librarians will have to become knowledge facilitators and research partners in the AI age, rather than information custodians.
- Reimagining the Role of Librarians in the AI Era
Librarians can use AI tools to enhance their services rather than being substituted by AI.
Future roles may include:
- AI-based research consultation.
- Data management support
- Digital literacy training
- Research impact analysis
- Professional communication advice.
Main concern of the section: Librarians can enhance the quality of service and efficiency by introducing AI in the library processes.
- Ethical limitations of AI-based library services.
There are also a number of ethical issues with the implementation of AI.
Authenticity and Openness: Writing or research tools that are based on AI should be explicitly recognized to ensure academic honesty.
Intellectual Property Problems: The AI systems have the potential to produce outputs that are similar to the copyrighted material, which provokes the issue of copyright and plagiarism.
Bias and Algorithmic Transparency: Artificial intelligence systems can be biased, lack of control, biased data in datasets or algorithms, which influence access to information.
Ethical Use of AI in Research: Libraries should educate users on the use of AI tools in academics, ethically and responsibly.
Thus, the use of AI in libraries should be based on the principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical responsibility.
Highlight
- Highlighting practical challenges of AI adoption in developing countries
- Encouraging realistic and inclusive discussions about AI in libraries
- Demonstrating how librarians can adapt and remain essential in the AI age
- Emphasizing the importance of ethical AI implementation in academic environments
Practical View Point as a Researcher on AI
As a researcher, one can find Artificial Intelligence tools quite helpful provided that they are utilized in a responsible and ethical manner. Personally, AI could be applied during the idea generation and comprehension of the new concepts, as well as the exploration of the newly unknown fields of knowledge when I had no significant knowledge of the subject matter. An example is that in the data analysis aspect of my research, I possessed very little practical experience regarding statistical software. I did not rely directly on the results of AI-generated analysis, but instead, I used AI tools as the learning support system to learn how to use the software and comprehend the methodological procedures. This enabled me to do the actual analysis myself using the right research tools and not taking the results that are automatically generated. This strategy will make AI serve as a learning aid, not a substitute to the analytical role of the researcher and thus will preserve academic integrity, but will also allow the researcher to use technological support.
Websites / URLs Associated with Session:
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0855-6253
Google Scholar ID: HG9rQVcAAAAJ
Web of Science (Publon) Researcher ID: KBB-0356-2024
Scopus ID: 59150756900
Vidwan ID:https://vidwan.inflibnet.ac.in/profile/481932
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mandira-Bairagi?ev=hdr_xprf
Asemi, A., &Asemi, A. (2018). Artificial Intelligence (AI) application in Library Systems in Iran: A taxonomy study. Library Philosophy and Practice(e-journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1840
Bozkurt, A., &Goksel, N. (2018). Technology renovates itself: Key concepts on intelligent personal assistants (IPAs). Proceedings of EDULEARN18 Conference Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 4291–4297.https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2018.1082
Kalbande, D., Suradkar, P., Chavan, S., Verma, M. K., &Yuvaraj, M. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Integration in Academic Libraries: Perspectives of LIS Professionals in India. The Serials Librarian, 85(5–6), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/0361526X.2024.2433262
Lau, J., Tammaro, A. M., Miltenoff, P., Begum, D., Zanichelli, F., Orru, D., Sanabria, D., & Santiago, E. (2025). Factors Driving Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption in Italy, Mexico, Bulgaria, and Bangladesh: A Comparative Qualitative Study of Library Professionals. The International Information & Library Review, 57(3), 275–290. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2025.2529723
Mallikarjuna, C. (2024). An Analysis of Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 44(2),124-129, DOI : 10.14429/djlit.44.02.18958
Sultana, R., &Atikuzzaman, Md. (2025). Are Academic Libraries of Bangladesh Ready to Implement Artificial Intelligence? Finding Answers from LIS Professionals. The International Information & Library Review, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2025.2505886
Vijayakumar, S., &Sheshadri, K. N. (2019).Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries.International Journal of Computer Sciences and Engineering, 7(16), 136-140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26438/ijcse/v7si16.136140
Replies