The author examines the migration of Indiana University Libraries’ interlibrary loan platform, ILLiad, from a locally-hosted server to OCLC hosting through the perspective of a new department head inheriting this critical technology decision. He explores how staffing changes, lost institutional knowledge, recurring system instability, and limited technical capacity prompted a reassessment of long-standing local practices. The piece outlines research, consortium consultation, approval processes, implementation challenges, authentication and workflow issues, and post-migration tradeoffs. Ultimately, the author offers practical guidance for new leaders tasked with managing inherited systems, vendor relationships, imperfect information, and strategic change in complex academic library environments.
One of the generative artificial intelligence tools developed for use in libraries, including academic libraries, is the AI Primo Research Assistant. Of the 65 academic libraries in Poland, only 19 have access to software that supports this tool. In practice, only 9 libraries have implemented it (data from March 2025). For the purposes of this study, original research was conducted to assess the implementation status of the Primo Assistant in academic libraries in Poland. Two anonymous surveys were developed for this purpose and sent to libraries that had implemented the feature, as well as to those with the capability to run the Primo Assistant (i.e., the Primo VE Discovery admin role), in order to gather information on why they had chosen not to implement it. The analysis revealed several positive aspects, mainly a reduction in the workload of staff tasked with preparing publication lists on topics requested by library users. Some concerns were also raised by library employees, mainly regarding the reliability of the metadata provided and the accuracy of the recommended publications. The study also revealed a general lack of awareness and a need for further implementation. This paper presents the first scientific study focused on the implementation of the AI Primo Research Assistant in Polish academic libraries.
This study critically explores the transformative potential of human-computer interaction (HCI) in reimagining African public libraries as dynamic, user-centered, and culturally grounded spaces. Based on a literature review and comparative analysis of libraries across several African countries, the research investigates how HCI principles can enhance user engagement, usability, and inclusivity, particularly in multilingual, resource-constrained, and postcolonial contexts. The paper situates libraries as sociotechnical infrastructures that mediate between technology, local knowledge systems, and community needs, and argues for the importance of participatory and culturally responsive design approaches in library digitization efforts. The findings highlight significant gaps in current implementations of HCI within library services, including the lack of localized interfaces and limited user involvement in design processes. The study concludes by offering practical recommendations for integrating HCI into library development strategies and advocating for the co-creation of digital public spaces that reflect and empower Africa’s diverse knowledge ecologies. In doing so, the paper contributes to the growing discourse on decolonial approaches to technology and the future of public libraries in the digital age.
This study evaluates the performance of four generative AI models—ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Gemini, and Copilot—in generating descriptive metadata for bibliographic resources. Models were tested on a small, diverse set of resources using four prompt types: a basic prompt, a basic prompt with an example, a detailed prompt referencing Resource Description and Access (RDA) guidelines, and a detailed prompt with an example. Results show that both detailed RDA guidance and the inclusion of sample outputs improved metadata quality, particularly in formatting and field structure. While DeepSeek and ChatGPT showed better performance on the tasks, all models displayed limitations in parsing and following the prompts, using descriptive metadata fields, analyzing subject headings, and assigning URIs. These findings suggest that while generative AI holds potential to assist in metadata creation, its current capabilities fall short of meeting cataloging standards without human review.
Countless research questions arise when investigating connections between library resource discovery and student success. Existing literature explores best practices of database description language and style, the usability of database A-Z lists, and library resource jargon. Academic libraries continue to grapple with these challenges in resource discovery, even as online searching behavior evolves and new research tools emerge. A research team at the University of Arizona Libraries builds on the literature by examining these topics with a focus on the impact of a user's academic discipline, university affiliation (faculty, staff, or student), and research experience on their understanding of database terminology, resource content and applications, and A-Z list type filters. The authors conducted an environmental scan of library websites along with several usability tests to identify and reduce library and disciplinary jargon on theirA-Z list to make databases more understandable and approachable to all users. This article presents the results of these assessments as a case study for exploring external and internal factors that impact users' understanding and discovery of databases.
By April 2027 and 2028, institutions covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act are expected to be legally required to ensure that digital content created or used at the institution is accessible as defined by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. The new law strongly emphasizes accessibility of course materials—including PDFs. This case study demonstrates how an R2 academic library staff can enhance the accessibility of PDF course materials by improving the accessibility of electronic reserves (e-reserves) PDFs at Hunter College Library (HCL). Processes described here can be adapted by other libraries. Supporting campuses’ work to make course readings accessible may be a natural role for academic libraries. Locating or procuring the best quality version of a text available to the institution is a critical task for which libraries are optimally equipped. Furthermore, when readings are available only in print format, libraries can create higher-quality scans than those typically produced when the task is left to individual faculty members. HCL began improving the accessibility of e-reserves PDFs in 2020. This article shares the knowledge acquired, established processes, limitations, and future directions. The workflow comprises checking each e-reserves reading. For those deemed poor, we locate an HCL collection or open access copy, purchase a digital copy, or remediate. Remediation involves optical character recognition (OCR), fixing errors therein, correcting reading order, removing repetitive headers and footers, and tagging. Literature the authors found on libraries proactively correcting OCR and tagging PDFs—that is, preceding a user’s request—was sparse, with the exceptions of the University of Toronto and the University of Michigan. Literature about proactively doing so for e-reserves was even narrower. This case study is intended to help fill the gap.
Effective information technology (IT) governance is essential for the University of Riau (UNRI) Library to achieve its research and educational objectives. This paper presents a qualitative pilot study investigating the library’s current IT governance processes, focusing on two COBIT 5 processes—DSS01 (Manage Operations) and DSS05 (Manage Security Services). These processes were selected in consultation with library and IT leadership due to their direct relevance to ensuring operational reliability and safeguarding the library’s information assets. COBIT 5 principles and capability models guide the assessment, emphasizing regulatory compliance, performance monitoring, and stakeholder collaboration. Using a detailed questionnaire and capability model, the study evaluates base practices and work products for DSS01 and DSS05. Results indicate varying proficiency levels, with DSS01 at level 0 and DSS05 at level 1, highlighting significant gaps between current and desired capability levels. Recommendations include implementing standard operating procedures, enhancing security measures, and optimizing resource management. In conclusion, the findings underscore the need for standardized processes, continuous monitoring, and alignment with established frameworks like COBIT 5. By addressing identified gaps and implementing recommended improvements, the UNRI Library can strengthen its IT governance, enhance operational efficiency, and better support its academic mission.
While incarcerated students face many challenges when commencing higher education, a lack of access to the internet is a considerable barrier. This technological exclusion has implications for the delivery of course materials, most of which are offered only electronically. A project team from Curtin University Library sought to understand and address the challenges faced by incarcerated students in accessing library services, particularly ebooks and audiovisual content. It was found that restrictions related to contract terms, digital rights management, and copyright contribute to a reactive and uncertain situation for library services. This article outlines the state of the problem and offers possible pathways academic libraries can take to improve the state of information access for incarcerated students.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Artificial Intelligence for Theme Generation tool (original Portuguese acronym name: IAGeraTemas), developed with generative artificial intelligence (AI; Google Gemini), for automating thematic classification and the assignment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in documents. The methodology combined quantitative analyses (metrics of precision, recall, and accuracy) on 50 articles published by authors from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), using classification from the SciVal database and qualitative analyses (analysis of the relevance of terms indexed by librarians from the Unicamp Library System in 40 articles available in the Unicamp Institutional Repository), comparing them with manual indexing performed by librarians. The quantitative results in SDG classification showed a recall of 0.785, while the "precision" and "accuracy" metrics were moderate. The qualitative analysis deepened the evaluation of term coherence and relevance suggested by the AI versus human indexing. It revealed the tool's potential forsuggesting relevant terms and expanding concepts, but it also exposed limitations in addressing complex topics. The research, conducted as an experiment at Unicamp Library System, concludes that IAGeraTemas is a valuable auxiliary tool, complementing but not replacing manual indexing, reinforcing the importance of human expertise in validating and refining results, and emphasizing the synergistic potential between AI and information professionals.
The first phase of the Reimagining Discovery project at Harvard Library sought to address the challenge of fragmented search experiences of special collections materials using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as embedding models and large language models (LLMs). The resulting platform, Collections Explorer, simplifies and enhances the search experience for more effective special collections discovery. The project team took a user-centered and trustworthy approach to implementing AI, grounding the choices of the platform in user empowerment and librarian expertise. The development process included extensive user research, including interviews, usability testing, and prototype evaluations, to understand and address user needs. Collections Explorer was developed using a multi-component architecture that integrates multiple types of AI. The team evaluated more than 12 models to select ones that were the best fit for the need, as well as being ethical and sustainable. Detailed system prompts were developed to guide LLM outputs and ensure the reliability of information. The methodical and iterative approach helped to create a flexible and scalable platform that could evolve to support other material types in the future. Initial research showed that potential users are enthused at the prospect of AI-powered features to enhance discovery, especially the item-level summaries and related search suggestions. The project demonstrated the potential of integrating AI technologies into library discovery systems while maintaining a commitment to trustworthiness and user-centered design.
Computer workstations have been an integral part of libraries of all types since the 1980s, but the optimal number of workstations that should be deployed in a space has not been directly studied in the last 20 years. During that time, laptop computer and other mobile device ownership has continued to increase, and there is some reason to think that behaviors and preferences first seen during the recent coronavirus 2019 pandemic have further shifted how students use public desktop computers in libraries. McGill University Libraries reduced the size of its computer fleet in the aftermath of the pandemic by looking at the maximum concurrent usage of different clusters of computers across campus, a metric that indicates how busy a space can get with users. This article explains how this metric is calculated and how other libraries can use it to make an evidence-based decision about the optimal size of a computer fleet.
In digital preservation, the concept of a "Designated Community" from the Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) is used to articulate the group or groups of prospective users for whom information is preserved. Concerns have been raised about this concept and its potential implications. However, OAIS has recently undergone a major revision. This study examines the extent to which these revisions address or mitigate concerns regarding the Designated Community. Issues from the literature are grouped into three areas: the concept's implementation, its potential misapplication, and its incompatibility with the mandates of institutions that serve broad and diverse communities. Major changes related to the Designated Community are identified and considered in relation to these issues. The analysis reveals that the revisions productively contribute to concerns in the first two areas but fail to address the third. The conclusion is that the process of revising OAIS has not drawn from insights into this topic in the literature.
This article describes a case study in which a small metadata team at Illinois State University Milner Library produced a digital humanities project supporting Collections as Data (CAD) and linked data principles. Despite initial sparse descriptive content, the team recognized great potential for experimentation in a significant World War Iarchival collection to highlight lesser-known stories, including those of the Pioneer Infantry, women, and noncombatants. Discussion focuses on the strategic approaches in creating granular but scalable metadata for the large digital collection, and application of the data with various tools such asArcGIS and Wikidata to construct interactive data visualizations, mapping, and digital storytelling for the Illinois State Normal University World War I Service Records collection. The article argues that even institutions without a dedicated CAD initiative can incrementally implement principles from the CAD model to add value to their digital collections. The authors first presented the project in 2024 at the Digital Library Federation Forum and the American Library Association Core Forum.
This paper1 explores the impact of digital initiatives on access services workers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and draws on the expertise and experience of non-librarian titled staff operationalizing "digital first" policies. Digital initiatives have been strongly prioritized by libraries to promote equitable access, cost-effectiveness, and technological growth at many libraries in California. The term digital initiatives commonly refers to efforts that support the creation, preservation, access, discovery, and use of digital library resources. This term can encompass multiple interpretations and a variety of tasks. This paper includes a literature review, an examination of statistics regarding demand and adoption of digital materials in public and academic libraries in California, and a summary of the impact study of non-librarian staff at UCSD. The literature review suggested that the term digital initiatives encompasses a broad scope of meanings and types of tasks, California State Library data suggest that a pattern of increased investment in digital initiatives adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing, and the information collected through the research at UCSD library suggests that non-librarian library workers play a growing role in managing, maintaining, and supporting these growing digital collections.
The National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore has made significant strides in leveraging data to enhance public access to its extensive collection of physical and digital resources. This paper explores the development and implementation of the Singapore Infopedia Widget, a recommendation engine designed to guide users to related resources by utilizing metadata and a Linked Data Knowledge Graph. By consolidating diverse datasets from various source systems and employing semantic web technologies such as Resource Description Framework (RDF) and Schema.org, NLB has created a robust knowledge graph that enriches user experience and facilitates seamless exploration. The widget, integrated into Infopedia, the Singapore Encyclopedia, surfaces data through a userfriendly interface, presenting relevant resources categorized by format. The paper details the architecture of the widget, the ranking algorithm used to prioritize resources, and the challenges faced in its development. Future directions include integrating user feedback, enhancing semantic analysis, and scaling the service to other web platforms within NLB's ecosystem. This initiative underscores NLB's commitment to fostering innovation, knowledge sharing, and the continuous improvement of public data access.
Lack of expertise, among other reasons, has been cited as the reason for Nigerian libraries’ sluggish adoption and application of innovative technology. To solve this problem, a thorough analysis of the level of technology implementation in Nigerian libraries is needed. This work closes the gap in the literature by using the PRISMA search method to examine 42 pertinent works published between 2016 and 2023. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 240 respondents using the survey approach. Six federal university libraries were selected by a stratified random sampling procedure, one from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Then, 40 library employees from each of the selected libraries were selected using a purposive sample technique. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the responses. The results demonstrate a grand mean of 2.44 (SD=1.15), indicating low staff awareness of the potential benefits of innovative technology for library operations. A negative grand mean of 2.42 on the degree of usage was also noted, indicating low use of cutting-edge technology in the research area. A lack of internet penetration, a deficiency of digital literacy, insufficient funds, and unstable power sources were among the problems found limiting Nigerian libraries from taking advantage of advanced technologies. In light of this, the study suggests that the Nigerian government should increase budget allocations for libraries and enhance policies that support the self-development of library staff. Additionally, libraries in developing countries should seek mentorship from those in developed nations to update their knowledge and skills, enabling better implementation and deployment of cutting-edge technology in their libraries.
The need to capture patrons attention with interesting flyers and advertisement is extremely critical to library staff’s work. So having an easy to use graphical program that can help even the most novice designer can help elevate designs to the next level. Two free online graphic design programs, Canva and Adobe Express, make it easy for any creative project. While each program is fairly similar, the few difference between the two programs may help decide why chose one over the other.
This paper aims to utilize historical newspapers through the application of computer vision and machine/deep learning to extract the headlines and illustrations from newspapers for storytelling. This endeavor seeks to unlock the historical knowledge embedded within newspaper contents while simultaneously utilizing cutting-edge methodological paradigms for research in the digital humanities (DH) realm. We targeted to provide another facet apart from the traditional search or browse interfaces and incorporated those DH tools with place- and time-based visualizations. Experimental results showed our proposed methodologies in OCR (optical character recognition) with scraping and deep learning object detection models can be used to extract the necessary textual and image content for more sophisticated analysis. Timeline and geodata visualization products were developed to facilitate a comprehensive exploration of our historical newspaper data. The timeline-based tool spanned the period from July 1942 to July 1945, enabling users to explore the evolving narratives through the lens of daily headlines. The interactive geographical tool can enable users to identify geographic hotspots and patterns. Combining both products can enrich users’ understanding of the events and narratives unfolding across time and space.
This paper considers modular approaches to building library software and situates these practices within the context of the rationalizing logics of modern programming. It briefly traces modularism through its elaboration in the social sciences, in computer science and ultimately describes it as it is deployed in contemporary academic libraries. Using the methodology of a case study, we consider some of the very tangible and pragmatic benefits of a modular approach, while also touching upon some of the broader implications. We find that the modularism is deeply integrated into modern software practice, and that it can help support the work of academic librarians.
