From Books to Bytes and Custodians to Navigators: Exploring Metaverse Literacy for Library Professionals

ABSTRACT

This study investigates metaverse literacy among library professionals and its implications for library services. The research aims to determine the extent of technological obstacles library professionals face in acquiring metaverse literacy, assess skill gaps in this domain, identify resistance to change and gauge the perceived benefits of developing metaverse literacy. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 library professionals from various academic institutions and libraries across India. The findings reveal that while library professionals are relatively comfortable with virtual environments, skill gaps exist in specific metaverse literacy areas. The study identifies primary reasons for hesitancy in adopting metaverse literacy, such as concerns about job security and insufficient training opportunities. It also highlights the perceived benefits, including enhanced user experiences, expanded service offerings, and fostering innovative approaches to information dissemination. The research underscores the need for collaborative efforts, ongoing professional development, user-centric approaches, and privacy considerations to embrace metaverse literacy fully. By addressing these challenges and adopting recommended strategies, libraries can position themselves as navigators in the metaverse, enriching user experiences and expanding their impact on information dissemination and knowledge creation.

KEYWORDS:

• Metaverse literacy
• virtual environments
• library professionals
• challenges
• benefits
• digital transformation

Disclosure Statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Subaveerapandiyan

A. Subaveerapandiyan is an accomplished Library and Information Science professional, currently serving as a research fellow at Shinawatra University, Thailand, and an assistant manager - Librarian at Sai University, India. With 37 publications in Scopus-indexed journals, his research focuses on AI literacy, metaverse, research data management and research ethics. He has published extensively in these areas, with notable works including “Global Perspectives: Library Professionals' Views on Multimedia Books in Airlines.” He serves as a mentor to various young researchers in his areas of expertise.

Priyanka Sinha

Priyanka Sinha is an assistant librarian at Lamrin Tech Skills University, Punjab and a PhD research scholar at the Department of Library and Information Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She holds a master's degree from the Department of Library and Information Science at Delhi University, India. Her research interests include digital literacy, research data management, artificial intelligence, applications of the Internet of Things, visualisation and dissemination.