Steps to improving Library Services Through Artificial Intelligence in Nigerian Libraries

Abstract

Latest technological development in the twenty-first century has brought a dramatic change in every field, and library science is no exception. Like any other fields, Librarianship is also incorporating many fascinating technologies into their armories. This research looked into the conceptual background of artificial intelligence (AI), library services, and the application of AI in library services. The study also reviewed existing literatures on the impact of AI on library services and the extent of its application in Nigeria libraries. The findings show that AI can improve library services like; circulation and reference services, book shelving and shelve reading, cataloguing of library materials, analyzing big data, creating metadata, interpreting search items among others. The research goes on to discuss some of the factors that affect the use of AI in academic libraries such as funding, lack of maintenance, lack of experts in AI, erratic power supply as well as possible strategies to solve the problems: developing policy for AI, consultation, adequate funding, employment of AI experts among others.