Unlocking the Future: Exploring Librarian’s Perspectives and Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Eswatini Libraries

Abstract

This study aims to explore the perception and readiness of librarians in Eswatini regarding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries and provide recommendations to assist librarians in effectively embracing AI technologies in their library services. The study’s specific objectives were to determine the level of awareness, examine the perception, assess the level of readiness and provide practical recommendations. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of librarians in Eswatini. The study revealed varying levels of awareness among librarians regarding AI integration in libraries. Librarians generally held a positive perception of AI's potential benefits, including improved information retrieval and enhanced user services. However, there were concerns about privacy and data security. The study also identified areas where librarians felt less prepared, such as acquiring programming skills and dealing with ethical considerations. The study recommends training and professional development opportunities to enhance librarians’ skills, establishing clear guidelines and policies to address privacy and data security concerns, and promoting collaborations and knowledge sharing among librarians. The recommendations offer practical guidance for librarians to successfully incorporate AI technologies into their library services, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of library operations.

Keywords:

• Artificial intelligence
• libraries
• emerging technologies
• Eswatini

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).