International Journal of Librarianship
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Changes and the Challenges of Library Reference Services After the Covid-19 Pandemic: Findings From a Survey Study in New England Liberal Arts Colleges
Full text linkDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities implemented numerous changes and launched new measures to resume teaching and learning activities, which significantly challenged library reference services. Although institutions are gradually recovering from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, students' learning behaviors have changed considerably. Reference service departments in academic libraries have undergone transformations and are actively seeking new solutions to revive or evolve services to help students who were deeply affected by the lockdown and the new norms that followed.
In this research, surveys and interviews were conducted at New England Liberal Arts College Libraries to understand the changes and challenges faced by library reference services. Despite the significant impact, library reference services are reconnecting with students through various outlets and strategically embracing AI technology to better support teaching and learning in the post-COVID era
Accessibility And Utilization of Library Information Resources Among the Students of Federal Polytechnic Ayede Oyo State, Nigeria
Full text linkThe study examined how information resources are made available, accessible, accurate, relevant and are being utilized. The study sample population comprised of four departments in the school with 192 registered users of the library. The instrument used for data collection in this study was questionnaire. Research questions were answered using frequency count and percentages. The study adopts a purely quantitative method as means of data collection. Findings reveals that Textbooks are the most available (93 %), and internet resources have the highest percentage of rarely available material (22.6%) due to power supply issues or poor internet coverage. According to the research findings, all resources have comparable accessibility difficulties, with textbooks being the most easily accessible information source for students (61.3%). The majority of users visit the library during exams, while others (52%) only sometimes use its information resources. Students’ library use is limited by several problems such as difficulties in retrieving required information, distance from home, operating hours, poor reading space, inadequate materials. On the above factors, respondents were overwhelmingly in agreement. The study recommended that usage of information resources be made compulsory to student by their lecturers, intensifying awareness campaigns concerning the availability of information resources and the problem of poor internet coverage be addressed
A Skill Gap Analysis among Librarians and Sustainable Energy in the Metaverse Future Libraries
Full text linkThis study investigates the potential integration of the metaverse into future library services, focusing on the skill gaps among librarians and the necessity of sustainable energy infrastructure, particularly in developing nations. It highlights the need for librarians to acquire technical and soft skills, such as digital literacy, data management, and critical thinking, to effectively operate in metaverse environments. The study reveals both enthusiasm and concerns among librarians regarding metaverse adoption, noting challenges like technology anxiety among senior staff. The authors advocate for continuous skill development and sustainable energy solutions to support the metaverse's implementation in libraries
Building Literacies: Best Practices for Academic Libraries in the Library 3.0 Era
Full text linkThis paper explores the evolving role of academic libraries as educational hubs through the lens of foundational literacies—Information Literacy (IL), Digital Literacy (DL), and AI Literacy (AIL). Based on observations of practices at Linköping University Library (LiUB), it synthesizes these initiatives into a proposed framework inspired by the principles of Library 3.0: Participation, Interactivity, and Adaptability. The framework offers a structured approach to integrating these literacies into library educational programming, emphasizing the library’s role in fostering critical competencies for lifelong learning in a rapidly changing digital environment. Key best practices from LiUB’s initiatives, such as the DigiMaker makerspace and AI literacy workshops, are highlighted, providing actionable insights for academic libraries seeking to remain relevant and impactful in their educational missions
Bibliometric Analysis of Research Productivity and Impact at the University of Dodoma: : A 15-Year Review of Publications, Collaborations, and Knowledge Dissemination
Full text linkThis study provides a bibliometric analysis of research publications from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) between 2007 and 2022, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the institution's scholarly output. By examining citation metrics and academic publications, the research reveals key patterns that shed light on the effectiveness and impact of UDOM's research initiatives. The study highlights significant authors and explores collaborative networks that contribute to enhancing research productivity. It also assesses how UDOM's research outputs contribute to its international ranking performance, serving as indicators of academic quality. Furthermore, the analysis underscores the university's commitment to both academic excellence and societal impact, demonstrating its alignment with global research standards and its broader role in advancing knowledge across diverse sectors
Assessing Chat Transcripts
Full text linkAsk Us is the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Libraries chat reference service. Since Ask Us is most people’s introduction to SMU Libraries, it’s essential the experience is positive. SMU Libraries model includes an Ask Us team overseeing the virtual reference program. Members of the three-person team consist of two instruction librarians and one access services librarian from across SMU Libraries. We assess chat transcripts regularly to ensure high-quality service. Using a form developed internally, the Ask Us Team evaluates reference interactions for relationship building, the reference interview, and instruction
We Are in It Together: Community-Based Learning as a Tool for Teaching AI Ethics in Library Professions
Full text linkThe rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has drawn attention to a multitude of complex ethical issues in AI use, necessitating further steps toward a multidisciplinary AI literacy education framework and more robust guidelines for addressing the challenges faced by the library profession and society at large. In an attempt to contribute to the development of such guidelines, this article draws on the example of selected learning activities of a graduate-level library science course taught at a regional university. The article then discusses the AI literacy through community engagement concept that provides a structure to integrate AI literacy into LIS education and professional practice of librarianship
Students' Information Sources and Information-Seeking Challenges: : A Post-Pandemic Assessment
Full text linkAcademic libraries play a pivotal role in developing strategies to improve access to information, promote literacy, and offer support to students, particularly during unexpected events such as the pandemic. This study aims to identify the sources of information relevant to students' course research and assignments, the challenges they face, and their coping strategies The study employed the quantitative method and purposive sampling to include students who visited the library during the limited in-person classes. The study's findings revealed that students rely heavily on the modules provided by faculty members. The majority of students found the lack of access to physical information resources, such as books, journals, and theses, to be particularly challenging. Based on the results, this study offers direction for developing more effective library services, collection development programs, information literacy programs, and technological solutions
From Rubric to Reality: Reflections on Norming and Scoring Information Literacy at Scale
Full text linkThis case study examines the development and implementation of a campus-wide assessment of the Information Literacy (IL) Core Competency at California State University, Fresno, during the 2023-2024 academic year. A cross-disciplinary faculty committee evaluated 153 upper-division General Education student papers using a rubric adapted from the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) VALUE rubric and aligned with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy. Through norming sessions, rubric revision, and collaborative scoring, the project revealed key challenges in evaluating IL across disciplines, particularly in achieving interrater consistency and interpreting student work in the absence of assignment context. The study explores how faculty from different academic fields interpreted IL criteria and how librarians contributed a focused lens on information behaviors. Reflections from the assessment process offer practical recommendations for improving rubric design, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and supporting institution-wide assessment practices. The findings underscore how shared assessment efforts can strengthen institutional understanding of IL and inform both instruction and faculty development
Implementation and Application of a Generative AI Virtual Librarian: A Case Study of the National Library of Public Information, Taiwan
Full text linkSince its transformation into Taiwan’s first national digital library in 2013, the National Library of Public Information (NLPI) has continuously adopted innovative technologies to advance intelligent services. In response to the rise of large language models (LLMs), NLPI launched the “Generative AI Virtual Librarian” project in 2023 and developed Xiaoshu, a virtual librarian capable of natural voice interaction. Centered on generative AI, the system integrates four databases and eight intent categories, applying retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and speech recognition to provide collection search, book recommendations, service inquiries, and social interaction.
Xiaoshu effectively handles a large number of repetitive yet diverse library inquiries, demonstrating the linguistic flexibility of generative AI. Compared with rule-based systems that rely on extensive pre-set Q&A pairs, generative AI reduces maintenance workload by shifting the focus from data quantity to data quality. From late 2023 to October 2025, Xiaoshu recorded over 70,000 interactions, serving about 3,000 users monthly with an accuracy rate above 80%, and reducing human librarian workloads by approximately 16 hours per month.
The project highlights the importance of defining clear service goals, user scenarios, and resource planning in the early stages. Overall, NLPI’s experience shows that generative AI librarians can enhance service efficiency and create a new paradigm for human–AI collaboration in public libraries