Emerging technologies and skills to improve service delivery in digital libraries

Abstract

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence have become a dominant technological focus in the academic context that enables libraries to restructure their activities. AI enhances library operations and service delivery within the virtual workplace ecosystem, leading to seamless digital information flow that supports innovative services tailored to meet evolving user needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate how emerging technologies and skills can improve service delivery in digital libraries. The positivist quantitative approach research methodology was adopted in this study applying a survey data collection method coupled with literature review. Data were analysed through statistical instruments and visually presented. The study revealed that adopting a wide scale of technologies would require digital competencies and algorithmic literacy to influence broader access to knowledge and re-engineer library operations for efficiency in virtual and physical environment. The study recommended that artificial intelligence-driven technologies would better position libraries for future innovative changes through efficient systems integration to streamline services and foster greater accessibility to knowledge resources to enrich user experience. Adopting emerging technologies improved distribution and sharing of resources, leading to better service delivery, as cybrarians could devote valuable time to supporting users.