AWARENESS AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DELIVERY OF LIBRARY SERVICES AMONG LIBRARIANS IN SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has presented libraries with innovative opportunities to enhance their services. Artificial intelligence applications are one of the most important modern technologies that have emerged in recent times. The study was designed to investigate the awareness and use of artificial intelligence in delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries Ogun State.

Description survey was adopted while total enumeration sampling method was used to capture seventy-eight (78) librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State.  A questionnaire designed by the researchers was used for collection data and 78 copies of the questionnaire were administered while 68(87.2%) copies of questionnaire copies were returned duly completed and found usable for the analysis. Data was analyzed by simple percentages and frequency counts, mean and standard deviation while pearson correlation was used to test the hypothesis.

The findings have shown that the available artificial intelligence for delivery of library services in selected university libraries in Ogun State are Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) 50(73.5%), Automated Reference Services 46(67.6%) and Chatbots 46(67.6%). Librarians’ are aware of Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) (= 3.53), Chatbots (= 3.50) and RFID technology (= 3.47) for delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State. Librarians’ used Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) (= 3.51), Chatbots (= 3.40) and Smart Catalogs (= 3.34) for delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State. The challenges facing the use of artificial intelligence in delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State are low awareness level by librarians 62(91.2%), lack of sufficient infrastructure 62(91.2%) and erratic power supply 60(88.2%). The strategies for improving the use of artificial intelligence in delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State are establish a robust technical support system to address technical issues promptly 63(92.6%), implement awareness and training programs to educate librarians 61(89.7%) and collaborate with AI experts and external training providers 60(88.2%). There is no significant relationship between awareness and use of artificial intelligence in delivery of library services among librarians in selected university libraries in Ogun State (r=0.023; P=0.000).

The study therefore recommends that universty libraries develop and implement comprehensive training programs for librarians to enhance their awareness and understanding of AI technologies.