This three-year mixed-methods study in 12 information-rich Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) examined an ethical AI pedagogy blending AI literacy, ethics, and offline access. Based on UNESCO’s AI Competency Frameworks for students and teachers which stress human-centred thinking, AI ethics, and system design the model advances information literacy by fostering critical AI evaluation in education and libraries. Using a quasi-experimental design (intervention n = 600; control n = 568), plus journals, focus groups, and analytics, it engaged 1168 students, faculty, and administrators. Intervention participants gained superior AI literacy (78.9%, d = 0.80), ethical awareness (76%, d = 0.90), creativity, and collaboration. Results were equitable across genders and non-technical students, aligning with NEP 2020s interdisciplinarity and equity aims. Qualitative data revealed enhanced moral agency and fairness-by-design habits. Yet rural sites faced anxiety, low readiness, and infrastructure issues, widening urban-rural gaps in AI literacy (85.2% vs 69.2%) and ethics (85% vs 62%). Following ICMR, Helsinki, and DPDP guidelines, the study urges combined technical-ethical training and institutional support, offering a scalable Global South framework with tools and policies for critical AI literacy in information services.
This paper is based upon the OCLC presentation at the February 2025 NISO Plus conference. It describes the organization’s journey to research compliance to the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It focuses on the three major complications that shaped their approach: the tension between internal and external metadata sources, the challenge of translating between different metadata formats, and the balance between controlled vocabularies and descriptive flexibility. Their investigation began with three questions: What metadata does the EAA actually require? How will this information flow through existing supply chains? And where should accessibility data be recorded in MARC records to best serve users. OCLC’s journey unearthed a complex landscape involving questions of trust between publishers and libraries, the limitations of existing standards, and the fundamental tension between textual description and systematic discovery. They hope that sharing these experiences will help other organizations navigate similar challenges more efficiently, while contributing to the broader efforts to standardize accessibility metadata that benefit the entire community of libraries, publishers, and content aggregators.
This study examined the preparedness of librarians for 5th IR with a focus on their awareness, level of preparedness, required competencies, and the challenges influencing effective information service delivery in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, with data collected from 402 librarians across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones using a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated and yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.87. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a high level of awareness of 5th IR technologies among librarians, particularly in areas such as automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. However, the level of preparedness was found to be moderate, indicating a gap between awareness and practical application. Librarians demonstrated strong competencies in foundational areas such as information retrieval systems, electronic resource management, and digital collections, but showed relatively lower proficiency in advanced and emerging technologies. The study further identified key challenges, including inadequate funding, limited training opportunities, poor infrastructure, unstable power supply, and the high cost of technological tools. In addition, the results showed that demographic factors jointly influenced librarians’ preparedness, with age, years of experience, and educational qualification emerging as significant predictors, while gender had no significant effect. The study concludes that although librarians exhibit a positive disposition and foundational readiness for the 5th IR, there is a need to strengthen practical competencies and address systemic constraints. It recommends increased investment in technological infrastructure, continuous professional development, and strategic policy interventions to enhance librarians’ capacity for effective participation in the evolving digital information environment.
Fake health information on social media has become a major public health issue, especially in cancer-related communication. Misleading cancer information online can negatively affect the emotions, psychological well-being, and treatment-related decisions of cancer patients’ families. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the psychological effects of fake cancer information on social media on cancer patients’ families and to explore the challenges associated with controlling cancer misinformation in digital environments. A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was employed to address the study objectives. Relevant peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from seven major digital databases and Google Scholar through a comprehensive search strategy. The selected studies were systematically analyzed to identify the major psychological consequences and misinformation-related challenges experienced by families of cancer patients. The findings revealed that fake cancer information on social media causes anxiety, uncertainty, emotional distress, distrust in healthcare professionals, financial losses, mental health problems, and poor treatment-related decision-making among patients’ families. The review further identified several barriers to combating cancer misinformation, including low digital health literacy, rapid dissemination of sensational content, financial motives of misinformation creators, and inadequate collaborative efforts among stakeholders. Based on the evidence-based findings, the study developed a conceptual framework to combat fake cancer information on social media platforms. The study contributes significantly to the existing literature by providing theoretical, managerial, and social implications for healthcare professionals, policymakers, digital platform regulators, and relevant stakeholders seeking to reduce the harmful psychological effects of cancer misinformation in digital environments.
This paper provides an overview of the findings from the Ithaka S+R-led collaborative research project “Making AI Generative for Higher Education,” and the findings specific to Stony Brook University, one of the collaborators in this project. Collaborators interviewed instructors and researchers at universities across the United States and Canada, asking them how they were using AI in teaching and research, as well as the associated challenges they were facing. Usage levels and perceptions of AI varied widely across interviewees, with most usage limited and experimental as instructors and researchers continue to identify the most productive long-term ways to integrate AI into their work. Our study also shed light on instructor and research support needs in relation to AI, with training opportunities, chances to learn from peers, secure access, and computational infrastructure among the common demands. This paper summarizes the presentation given by the authors at the NISO Plus conference in February 2025.
This study examines the rise of robotic technologies in libraries and the essential skills and knowledge required of librarians within the context of Industry 5.0. Guided by four objectives, the study adopted a systematic literature review design using the PRISMA framework. 59 records were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and 27 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 were included for narrative analysis. The findings show that libraries are increasingly integrating both physical and software-based robotic systems, including shelf-reading robots, automated storage and retrieval systems, humanoid service robots, chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-driven intelligent systems. The review reveals that librarians require a hybrid competency profile combining technical and digital proficiency, AI literacy, ethical awareness, collaborative ability, and continuous professional development. Preparedness levels vary across contexts and are influenced by infrastructure, funding, institutional support, and training opportunities. Financial constraints, technical compatibility challenges, ethical concerns, and workforce anxieties remain significant barriers. The study concludes that robotics in libraries is an emerging yet operational area that requires deliberate curriculum reform, sustained institutional investment, and clear policy direction to support effective human–robot collaboration and sustainable service delivery in Industry 5.0 environments.
Institutions, publishers, and scholars are grappling with the complex challenges of ensuring security while fostering access to knowledge. The drive to make research more easily available brings with it new cybersecurity risks, from safeguarding sensitive information in publisher databases to protecting the integrity of scholarly content. These challenges underscore the need for a coordinated approach that balances ease of access with robust digital security practices. This paper will examine the intersection of cybersecurity and access within academic publishing, exploring how industry stakeholders can collaboratively address these issues. With an increasing reliance on digital platforms to distribute and access research, ensuring security at all levels—while preserving the openness that drives scholarly innovation—has never been more critical.
This article addresses the following question: How should authors disclose the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their research, as well as in the crafting of any manuscripts based upon their research so that readers, reviewers, and editors can clearly see how and where AI shaped a scholarly contribution? The question was discussed in a presentation at the 2025 NISO Plus conference in which the current state of AI disclosure was examined. The ultimate recommendation that emerged is that the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure (AID) Framework could serve as the basis of an international standard for AI disclosure because the Framework supports standardized, consistent, and transparent reporting of AI use across the full arc of learning, research, and publication. It is designed to complement, not replace, the conventional citation of direct AI outputs, and it situates AI assistance in context to make process-level work visible.
This case study explores how the Goldey-Beacom College Library used Generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to refine and restructure metadata in its FAQ system in SpringShare’s LibAnswers, which had become fragmented due to overly specific and siloed topic tags. The project transformed two hundred and 87 FAQ entries into a more cohesive and discoverable knowledge base through a systematic audit and iterative AI-human collaboration. The team significantly improved user navigation and cross-topic discoverability by consolidating redundant topics and applying broader thematic categories such as Library Resources & Access , Research & Academic Tools , and Digital & Technology Tools . The consistent use of high-level topic tags, “GBC Library” or “Newspapers,” further unified the system and enhanced institutional visibility. The outcomes include reduced metadata silos, increased FAQ engagement, and a more user-centric experience. Lessons learned highlight the importance of balancing AI efficiency with human oversight, maintaining metadata consistency, and iterating based on user feedback. This paper offers practical guidance for libraries seeking to adopt AI to improve technical services and enhance user access to information.
Generative AI technologies are transforming academic library services, raising important questions about how librarians experience and adapt their professional roles. This study explores how Nigerian academic librarians perceive and respond to generative AI’s impact on their professional identity. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, we conducted narrative interviews and participant observation with 20 librarians across three Nigerian university libraries. Four central patterns emerged: librarians experienced anxiety about job obsolescence but developed new identities as AI mediators who teach critical evaluation skills; they established verification rituals to calibrate trust in AI outputs; and they faced significant gaps in institutional support, including formal policies, training resources, and ethical guidelines. Librarians did not passively accept technological change but actively negotiated their professional standing by setting ethical boundaries around AI use. These experiences occurred within broader institutional contexts characterized by limited governance structures and uneven resource allocation. Findings suggest libraries benefit from co-developing AI policies with librarians, integrating emotional labor awareness into professional development, and recognizing trust-calibration work as core to modern librarian roles.
This study examines how the emerging metaverse is shaping and can further transform the future of Library and Information Science (LIS) research and scholarly publishing in Africa. Using a mixed-methods research design, data were collected from LIS researchers, librarians, scholarly publishers, and research administrators to assess awareness levels, perceived opportunities, infrastructural readiness, and socio-technical challenges associated with metaverse adoption. Findings reveal growing awareness of core immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, while knowledge of advanced applications including blockchain-enabled publishing, AI-driven immersive environments, and digital twins remains limited. Despite uneven awareness, respondents recognize the metaverse’s strong potential to expand access to research outputs, enhance scholarly collaboration, and improve the global visibility of African LIS scholarship. However, adoption is constrained by infrastructural deficits, capacity gaps, policy and governance limitations, and ethical concerns related to data privacy, intellectual property, and inclusivity. The study emphasizes that metaverse integration is fundamentally a socio-technical process rather than a purely technological endeavor. It proposes incremental and hybrid adoption models, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative governance frameworks to support equitable and sustainable implementation. By foregrounding African epistemic contexts and digital inclusion, the study provides practical insights for LIS stakeholders and policy makers seeking to responsibly harness the metaverse to strengthen research and scholarly publishing ecosystems across Africa.
The study aims to examine users’ perceptions of the potential adoption of NLP-based search systems and explore how such systems could enhance library accessibility in a public university library in Bangladesh. A quantitative research methodology was employed, gathering data through surveys conducted among 387 respondents, including students and faculty members of NSTU. The survey utilized structured questionnaires with Likert-scale responses, dichotomous questions, and multiple-choice formats. The familiarity of digital Literacy and Natural language processing were analyzed through non-parametric tests like Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H. Statistical analysis tools, such as SPSS 27 and Excel 2021, were used for data processing and interpretation. The study revealed moderate familiarity with existing library information retrieval services, particularly among students. Respondents perceived that NLP-based search systems could improve search accuracy, relevance, and efficiency with 64.34% expressing positive expectations regarding their potential effectiveness. However, barriers like technical expertise, financial constraints, and user adaptation need to be addressed for successful implementation. The findings also highlight the need for continuous digital literacy training for both students and faculty. The research was limited to a single institution, potentially affecting its generalizability to other public university libraries in Bangladesh. This study suggests further exploration of NLP applications tailored to the complexities of the Bengali language for wider applicability and effectiveness.
This study examined AI skills and competencies among librarians in 5IR libraries, with a specific focus on their knowledge of AI technologies, existing skills, required competencies, and the challenges hindering the acquisition and application of these capacities. A systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework was conducted. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, LISA, and Google Scholar. Out of 457 initially identified records, 48 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized for analysis. Findings reveal that librarians generally possess conceptual awareness of AI and recognize its potential for services such as cataloguing, discovery, and user engagement. However, practical mastery of AI tools, programming, and data analytics remains limited. Librarians exhibit strong competencies in information literacy, metadata management, and ethical awareness, but face challenges including outdated LIS curricula, inadequate professional development, insufficient infrastructure, ethical uncertainties, and staff anxiety about job displacement. These factors hinder the transition from awareness to practical application of AI in library operations. The study concludes that while librarians are increasingly aware of AI’s potential, significant gaps exist in technical, ethical, and strategic competencies required for 5IR libraries.
The study aimed to identify the perceptions of university librarians about the effects of electronic learning on innovative sustainable competence development for the delivery of smart library services. A qualitative method was employed to explore significant findings related to the study’s objectives. Interviews were conducted in different moods (interview guide, face to face, and telephonic interviews) with the target subjects. Findings of the study revealed that electronic learning is often a cost-effective option compared to traditional training programs as it saves travel expenses, accommodation charges, and registration fees. Librarians can select from a wide range of topics and formats that align with their professional goals and interests. Face-to-face interaction and hands-on training activities may be challenging in e-learning programs as immediate solutions are required to control technical barriers. This is first study on the effects of electronic learning on innovative sustainable competence development for smart library services through qualitative (interviews) method.
This study examines the transformative potential of quantum computing for information access, retrieval, and security in library systems within the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR). A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. A Boolean search combining quantum computing, information retrieval, and library systems yielded 214 records. After deduplication, screening, eligibility assessment, and predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, 47 studies were retained for thematic synthesis. Data were analysed using a structured framework, with a subset independently coded by two reviewers to ensure reliability. Findings identify four application domains: accelerated search and retrieval via Grover-type quantum algorithms; improved cataloguing, indexing, and metadata generation using quantum-enabled pattern recognition; enhanced data security through Quantum Key Distribution and post-quantum cryptography; and personalised discovery services using quantum-accelerated machine learning. Case studies from the EU Quantum Flagship Initiative, USC, the British Library, the National Library of China, and Singapore’s National Library Board show both progress and constraints, including high costs and technical complexity, amongst others. The study concludes that quantum computing has significant potential to transform library services, while adoption requires strategic investment, capacity building, and robust policy frameworks to ensure equitable and sustainable implementation across institutions globally.
Metaverse technology integration in public libraries offers revolutionary possibilities to improve information availability, user engagement, and interactive learning. This study carefully evaluates current literature to examine the hurdles, potential, and future directions of metaverse adoption in public libraries. The study used seven database sources – ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The study was conducted between 2015 and 2025 and publication type included are book chapters, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journal papers were given preference. The inclusion criteria include studies that examined the best practices, policies, opportunities, and obstacles associated with the implementation of the metaverse in libraries; comprehensive literature reviews, empirical research published in respectable peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, or edited volumes, as well as studies using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed approaches, were all taken into consideration. However, the study excluded studies that had no bearing on public libraries and only addressed academic or special libraries. The report lists the advantages of metaverse technology, such as improved digital collections, cutting-edge service delivery methods, and immersive virtual learning environments. It also examines programs, rules, and best practices that have been put in place worldwide to facilitate the integration of the metaverse into public library environments. Despite these developments, a number of obstacles prevent broad acceptance, including high implementation costs, technological constraints, a lack of digital literacy, and moral dilemmas related to security and privacy. The report also discusses ways to make the most of metaverse technology, highlighting the necessity of cooperative policy frameworks, training in digital skills, and infrastructure development. According to research, metaverse technologies have the potential to completely transform library services, but to ensure fair access, a systematic and inclusive strategy is necessary. The study adds to the expanding conversation on digital transformation in public libraries by providing useful information for scholars, policymakers, and library workers. It highlights the need for more empirical research to evaluate the practical uses of metaverse technologies across diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts. Cost–benefit analysis, ethical issues, and the potential of AI to improve metaverse-based library services should be the main topics of future studies. Public libraries can fully utilise metaverse technologies to remain influential, relevant, and accessible in the digital age by addressing three key issues.
This study examines the phenomenon of hallucination in generative artificial intelligence (AI) and analyzes its implications for data integrity, ethical responsibility, and knowledge management systems. A qualitative research design was adopted using a systematic review of literature published between 2017 and 2025. Relevant studies were retrieved from academic databases including DOAJ and Google Scholar using targeted keywords related to AI hallucination, data reliability, ethics, and knowledge management. A total of 34 eligible studies were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, divergences and emergent themes across the literature. The findings reveal that generative AI hallucinations significantly undermine data reliability by producing plausible but inaccurate information, thereby increasing the risk of misinformation and flawed decision-making. Ethical challenges including bias, transparency deficits, accountability gaps, and intellectual property concerns are consistently reported in the literature. While generative AI enhances efficiency, creativity, and information retrieval within knowledge management systems, the persistence of hallucinations reflects deeper structural limitations in large language models which weaken user trust and compromise knowledge accuracy and institutional credibility. This study is among the first to provide a comprehensive and integrated examination of generative AI hallucination in relation to data integrity, ethical concerns, and knowledge management systems.
This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scholarly publications on perceived innovativeness and value of digital library services from 2019 to 2025, drawing data from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. An initial retrieval of records from these databases was followed by systematic screening, including duplicate removal, relevance assessment, and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a final dataset of 88 publications for analysis. The objective is to evaluate the perceived innovativeness and value of digital libraries in enhancing academic research productivity, with particular attention to the integration of artificial intelligence and smart library systems. Advanced metrics such as Field-Weighted Citation Impact and visualization tools including VOSviewer were applied to the final curated dataset to assess publication trends, citation performance, and global collaboration networks. The analysis indicates a marked increase in research output after 2023, with high-impact contributions from regions including Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the growing role of AI-driven services and the importance of international collaboration in digital library development. Despite a focus on English-language literature, the study provides practical implications for universities and policymakers by supporting investments in AI-enhanced infrastructure, personalized interfaces, and collaborative tools to improve research efficiency while promoting educational equity and accessibility.
This paper offers an overview of some of the highlights of the 2024 NISO Plus Global Online Conference that was held September 17–September 18, 2024. This conference grew out of the virtual NISO Plus meetings that were held during the Pandemic. While NISO Plus conferences resumed in-person in February 2024, the global sessions were so successful that NISO held a purely virtual one later that same year. Speakers who could not usually travel to the USA are able to give their presentations virtually and the global conferences allow for a much wider net to be cast for speakers and attendees. The ultimate goal of the NISO Plus conferences is to have a discussion, identify information industry problems and, with the collective wisdom of the speakers and audience who are representative of the information industry stakeholders, generate potential solutions that NISO or others can develop. As with prior years, there was no general topical theme (although Open Science, Open Access, sustainable research, and scientific integrity were common threads), but there were topics of interest for everyone working in the information ecosystem—from the practical subjects of persistent identifiers, standards, metadata, data sharing, Open Science, and Open Access to the potential future of the research article and journals.
