Afr. J. Lib. Arch. and Inf. Sc. Vol. 34, No.

1 (April 2024) 23-35

[Link]

Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in

Rendering Library Services: An Empirical
Evidence from University Libraries in Africa

Tukur Abba, libraries. The study recommended a formulation

Department of Library and Information Science, of policy to guide the adoption of new
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, technologies such as AI, and training and re-
Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Nigeria. training of librarians through workshops equip
tukurabba@[Link] librarians with skills needed to effectively use the
tukurabba@[Link] AI technologies.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics,

Abstract Chatbots, RFID, Librarians, Nigeria, South Africa.

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate

the level of adoption of artificial intelligence(AI) Introduction
to support library services delivery in university
libraries in Africa. Qualitative research method Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have strongly
was adopted to collect data. A preliminary survey influenced the world of work in the 21st Century.
of 102 university libraries in English speaking Nwakunor (2021) defined artificial intelligence as
countries in Africa was conducted to identify the computer controlled robots that think intelligently like
university libraries that have adopted AI in their human beings. These robots are controlled
libraries. Content analysis was used to analyse electronically with the aid of the computer by
the responses. The study found that the only few mimicking the competences of the human mind.
university libraries in Africa have adopted AI Artificial Intelligence keeps records and analyses
technologies such as Chatbot, ChatGPT, LibKey every action being made by the user (Nwakunor,
from ThirdIron, robots, RFID technology and 2021). The origin of AI can be traced to John
Grammarly. These AI technologies are used to McCarthy’s research in 1955, with the assumption
render different library services like answering that every aspect of learning and other forms of
of directional and ready reference questions intelligence can be stimulated through the use of a
posed by library users, serving as a knowledge machine (Wang, 2018). Merriam-Webster English
base for cataloguing information of library Dictionary (2018) stated that artificial intelligence is
materials, self-check-out machine for books, used “a part of computer science that deals with giving
as a marketing tool for the library, tool for ability to the machines to look as if they have natural
statistics evaluation and recommendations, human intelligence.” These human capabilities of AI
assisting in the charging and discharging of are improved through learning from experience and
library materials, etc. Lack of funds to acquire adaption over time. As an aspect of computer science,
the AI tools, training of librarians, and lack of AI comprises an expert system, fuzzy logic, artificial
full knowledge of AI were the most mentioned neural network, evolutionary algorithms, case-based
challenges associated with adoption of AI in the reasoning, image processing, natural language
24 TUKUR ABBA

processing, speech recognition, and robotics and reported that throughout the world, some libraries
(Kusumanchi, 2019). and library organisations are already engaged in
In the library setting, AI technologies are now raising awareness and AI literacy, developing and
being used in libraries to support and render library working with AI, and taking part in debates around
services. The adoption of AI can improve library its impact on the library sector and beyond (IFLA-
services and provide access to accurate information FAIFE, 2020). Artificial intelligence in library service
that can drive growth and development in this delivery has aided in the improvement of many
information age. In the library, AI can be used to librarians’ job responsibilities, including cataloguing,
develop programmes for effective reference indexing, information retrieval, reference services,
services, scanning of textbooks, and the identification and other tasks. It can be used in a variety of
of appropriate subject categories (Tella, 2020). applications, including speech recognition, machine
Furthermore, AI technologies can assist library users translation, and library robots (Tella 2020).
on how they can locate library materials through Kusumanchi (2019) noted that AI is transforming
intelligent tutoring system and automated library day by day with different features such as quantum
services (Tella, 2020). Therefore, AI adoption and computing, artificial neural networks, facial
use in libraries will allow better information recognition, deep learning and chatbots.
processing, and at the same time, better information Libraries, particularly those in universities in
search that will excite both library personnel and developing countries, have had difficulty adopting
users giving easier and faster access to information. digital technology, and they also show resistance to
AI technologies are being adopted in libraries change when using new technologies for a variety
throughout the world for a wide array of purposes of library functions in developing nations like Nigeria
such as everyday service delivery (IFLA-FAIFE, (Wheatley and Hervieux, 2019). Tella (2020) stressed
2020). that libraries in the developed countries have
Artificial intelligence has made it possible to accepted and used AI technologies virtually in all
provide solutions to pressing challenges facing spheres of life whereas those in developing countries
libraries, such as shelving of books and other library are still struggling to find their feet. Librarians mostly
materials, cataloguing and acquisition of library in Africa have begun to incorporate artificial
materials, among others (Ajakaye, 2022). technologies in the library system so as to meet up
Consequently, library services can be done in more with the current trends in the worldwide. Despite
effective and efficient ways for improved user efforts to meet with the current trends, no
satisfaction. Therefore, library users can access documentation on the incorporation of Artificial
timely and accurate information quickly and promptly. intelligence in academic libraries in African
Fernandez (2016) noted that using AI in academic educational institutions is seen. Evidently, the available
libraries will help to analyse big data, create literature on artificial intelligence in libraries were
metadata, and improve search translation. This mostly carried out in institutions in the developed
means that using AI in academic libraries will make countries. Little or no documents were found on the
library materials more accessible and available, and application of artificial intelligence in libraries in
allow the staff to answer users’ queries on AI use. developing countries mostly in Africa. Therefore, the
Tella (2020) stressed the need for academic libraries present study aims to fill the gap by investigating the
to re-position themselves to take relative advantage extent university libraries in Africa have adopted
of artificial intelligence potentials by refining the artificial intelligence in rendering library services. To
quality of library services in this era of the achieve this, three research questions were raised
information age. According to Ajakaye, (2022; p.1) to guide the study.
“Librarians need to be innovative in their thinking to
stay relevant in their jobs because AI has found Research Questions
numerous applications in libraries ranging from book
filing to book delivery.” 1. What type of AI is being adopted for use in the
The IFLA Statement has outlined the key roles university libraries in Africa?
libraries can take on in a society that employs AI;
 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AFRICA 25

2. What library services are the AI deployed to simulation method based on logical reasoning to
render? simulate human intelligent behavior. The main
principle of connectionism is the connection
3. What are the challenges encountered in
mechanism and learning algorithm between neural
adopting AI in university libraries in Africa?
network and neurons network. The theory of
behaviorism is cybernetic and perceptual-action
Literature Review
control system (Adejo and Misau, 2021). Presently,
The Use of AI in University Libraries the popular technical fields involved in artificial
intelligence research are: problem solving, natural
Artificial intelligence is the programming and
language processing, artificial neural networks,
development of computers to perform human
genetic algorithms, expert systems, knowledge
required-intelligence task, such as speech
engineering, artificial life, deep learning, intelligent
recognition, decision-making, visual perception,
control etch (Liu, 2016). Natural Language
language translation, talking and emotional feelings
Processing is another area where artificial intelligence
(Irizarry-Nones, Palepu and Wallace, 2017). Oracle
technology could help the academic library gain
(2022) defined Artificial intelligence as software or
traction. This technique allows a computer to
hardware that can carry out tasks by simulating
understand the main linguistic concepts within a query
human intellect and then interactively improves itself
or solution, with the goal of designing and building
using the data it gathers. AI encompasses a wide
computers that can analyse, understand, and generate
range of fields which is not limited to computer
language in the way that humans do (Kumar, 2004).
science alone, but also philosophy, linguistics,
Natural Language Processing (NLP), according to
psychology as well as other fields of life (Deloitte,
Zulaikha (2020), is the study of extracting information
2018). Several libraries have recently found
from natural human language in order to
compelling use of AI, such as to support library
communicate with robots and grow enterprises.
systems for the benefit of library patrons and
When applied to academic libraries, some of the
employees in Iran (Asemi and Asemi, 2018), as well
methods employed in natural language processing
as the use of AI in assisted information literacy
that boost artificial intelligence include: voice text
instruction (Talley, 2016).
messaging, spell checker, autocomplete, spam filters.
The AI revolution in libraries is projected to
Omame and Alex-Nmecha (2020) reported that NLP
have a significant impact on a number of areas,
may be utilised in libraries to create intelligent expert
including data processing, literacy, and online and
information retrieval systems that users can engage
virtual services (Winkler and Kiszl, 2021). Omame
with directly using natural language. The computer
and Alex-Nmecha (2020) posited that AI has the
receives natural language as input, analyses and
potential to revolutionise the way libraries are
processes it, and then responds with the information
managed, from the way library materials are
required.
catalogued and organised to the way librarians and
Given the wide range of services provided by
patrons interact. Scholars have argued that AI can
academic libraries around the world, the incorporation
be used in the area of library security, as university
of robotic services into the circulation unit of an
libraries are now deploying AI-based facial
academic library has become essential. Robotics is
recognition technology to track and monitor users,
defined as a mechanical device that uses artificial
particularly service areas (American Library
intelligence techniques to perform automation tasks
Association, 2022; Datagen, 2022). With AI, tasks
under direct human supervision, a pre-defined
such as the answering of directional questions, giving
program, or a set of general guidelines (Vysakh and
library tours, welcoming library users and locating
Rajendra 2020). Robots are multi-purpose
an information source in the library can be done
manipulators that are automatically controlled,
automatically (Karsten and West, 2015)
reprogrammable, and programmable in three or more
Artificial intelligence can be divided into three
axes. They can be fixed in place or transportable for
types: symbolism, connectionism, and behaviorism
use in automation applications. Vysakh and Rajendra
(Adejo and Misau, 2021). Symbolism is an intelligent
(2020) reported that library such as Temasek
26 TUKUR ABBA

Polytechnic Library, University of Chicago Library, Therefore, the study recommended that academic
Shanghai Library have begun to use robots instead libraries in Nigeria should embrace the use of
of humans in a variety of procedures, particularly artificial intelligence in the library operations, library
those that are hazardous and time-consuming. For staff be trained on its use in the library service
instance, a robot at the PESIST Central Library delivery in addition to its institution in all library units.
assists in filing, classifying, and replacing volumes The study by Grant and Camp (2018) reported
on the shelf, and libraries with large collections are that many academic libraries, mostly in wealthier
now adopting robots for inventory purposes (Vysakh nations, have adopted AI to meet the many service
and Rajendra, 2020). The use of robots to perform demands of their customers, including reference and
this duty improves the efficiency of the library’s circulation services. Some AI use cases as reported
operations. in IFLA-FAIFE, (2020) includes: The National
The use of AI in library services in the African Library of Norway, for example, has experimented
continent is very much in its infancy (Hervieux and with applying Machine Learning to automate Dewey
Wheatley, 2021). Yusuf et al. (2022) assessed the Decimal classification. Also, The Stanford University
application of artificial intelligence for efficacy in Library AI studio is developing projects exploring AI
library service delivery in university libraries in application in libraries for internal information
Nigeria. The study revealed that the adoption of processing and library collection discovery and
artificial intelligence by librarians in university analysis, the Helsinki Central Library Oodi has
libraries in Nigeria is relatively low as a result of a introduced an AI-powered mobile application for
wide variety of challenges specific to developing library users, designed to make reading suggestions
nations. A recent study by Emiri, (2023) investigated and assist with library collection discovery.
how librarians working in the various university Manjunatha and Patil (2020) looked at the use of
libraries in Southern Nigeria adopted and use smart technology in engineering college libraries in
artificial intelligence and found that AI technologies Karnataka. The data suggests that most engineering
have not been truly adopted in university libraries in university libraries are already familiar with smart
Southern Nigeria. The AI technologies like robots, technologies and have adopted blockchain,
chatbots, face recognition, touch recognition, RFID augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and other
technologies, humanoids, AI classification tools, cutting-edge systems. Yu, et al (2019) investigated
machine-readable catalogue, and AI smart features the application of artificial intelligence in a smart
are still lacking in Southern Nigeria’s university library. The study cites a few artificial intelligence
libraries. Yakubu, Yagana, and Umar (2023) applications that can be employed in smart libraries,
investigated librarians’ intention to use artificial including face recognition, chatbots, and self-service
intelligence for effective library service delivery in AIs.
university libraries in Nigeria and found that the Nawaz, Gomes, and Saldeen (2020) studied
librarians under study have shown great intention to artificial intelligence methods for library resources
use artificial intelligence (AI) in their libraries. In and services during the COVID-19 epidemic. The
Nigeria, Yusuf, et al. (2022), reported that only study demonstrates that a number of library services
University of Lagos has adopted the use of artificial such as user identification in speech recognition or
intelligence in some library services and operations, typing, monitoring of users as they use library
and also added that library professionals’ awareness resources and services, chatbots for reference
of the use of artificial intelligence in library services services, robot assistants, drone surveillance for
and operations is still low. Adejo and Misau (2021) library security, AI alarms for reminding users when
studied how the application of artificial intelligence it’s time for their scheduled appointment with a
could be used in Nigerian academic libraries. The librarian, and AI-based tutorials for keeping users
study showed that AI could be applied in academic up to date with the most recent findings and
library services in Nigeria like Expert Systems in discoveries in their field can benefit from the use of
Reference Services, Technical, Indexing, Acquisition AI. Asefeh and Asemi (2018) list various ways in
and its application in Natural Language Processing, which AI technologies can be used to improve library
Pattern Recognition and Robotics in library activities. services to include the followings: circulation services,
 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AFRICA 27

shelving of books, cataloguing of library materials, technologies. The study by Emiri, (2023) reported
among others. Mogali (2019) conducted a study on that adoption of AI challenges include considerable
how artificial intelligence is used in libraries and found disruption brought by AI to conventional library
that expert systems in libraries, such as research services, a lack of skills and the need for training
pointers, online reference help, Amswerman, and prior to adoption, erratic power supply, and a lack of
Plexus can assist in rendering library services. Expert suitable infrastructure for adoption.
systems have also proven beneficial for carrying out The use of AI in libraries poses a number of
tasks related to acquisition, cataloguing, ethical issues also (Cox, 2022) and there is a recurrent
classification, indexing, and other library procedures. fear that AI may in some way replace human
Lund et al (2020) studied the perceptions librarians’ work. For example, the study by Korinek
toward artificial intelligence among academic library and Stiglitz (2017) reported that the use of AI poses
employees and asked the role within libraries that a threat to librarians’ work and that caution should
librarians indicate they would most likely to see AI be exercised before widespread implementation in
introduced. The study found that support/ libraries. Similarly, World Bank (2016) maintained
improvement of the library discovery search is the that developing countries may be more affected by
overwhelmingly favourite selection, followed by the adoption of AI because it will lead to a high job
reference services and cataloguing assistance. loss rate. The report further states that 69% of job
Studies have shown that AI such as humanoid robots loss will be experienced in India through AI adoption;
can be used in libraries for a variety of tasks, including 72% in Thailand; 77% in China and 85% in Ethiopia.
instruction, community building, chat services for All these studies indicate that AI can lead to job losses
online messaging, automation of library procedures, and the potential for gross job destruction.
and improving the effectiveness of service delivery Liau (2019) conducted research on the benefits
(Nguyen, 2020; Nawaz and Saldeen, 2020; Igbinovia of robots for library operations. The researcher
and Okuonghae, 2021). highlighted a few obstacles that might prevent
Yao et al. (2015) conducted a research on libraries from adopting robots. These include the high
intelligent talking robots to improve library services skill requirements to work with robots, the need to
and found that the Xiaotu robot, which can interact redesign workflow, the fact that robots are only
with users and provide assistance, is effective in designed to perform one or two tasks and cannot be
enhancing library reference services. Similarly, the used for all library activities, also robots occasionally
study by Corrado (2021) pointed out that AI can be have temper tantrums that could disrupt library
applied in several technical service areas, such as services, and others. Oghenetega, Umeji, and Obue
assigning and creating subject headings, (2014) identified a number of factors that work
classification, and metadata description. against the adoption of AI in library operations
especially in developing countries. They are: poor
Challenges Associated with the Deployment maintenance ethics, inadequately trained staff, high
of AI in Academic Libraries costs, networking issues, a lack of adequate facilities,
Regarding the challenges of AI adoption in academic an epileptic power supply, and technological issues.
libraries, the study by Yusuf et al. (2022) primarily Yusuf, et al (2022) reported that the adoption of AI
focused on librarians’ low awareness of how to use in academic libraries is setting a new level of efficient
AI to meet their service needs and the high disruption and effective library service delivery but the adoption
that AI has caused to traditional library services, in developing countries such as Nigeria is low due to
which continues to shock most library professionals. some of the identified challenges which includes
According to Tait and Pierson (2022), the adoption financial uncertainty, job loss, technological
of AI and robots in libraries may be hampered by a disadvantages among others. Echedom and
lack of skills and the need for training before Okuonghae (2021) reported that technologies like the
implementation. In line with the above viewpoint, AI expert system always require large amounts of
Hervieux and Wheatley (2021) in their study argued data in order to function effectively. This becomes a
that the low adoption rate of AI and Robots in major limitation where there is insufficient data or
libraries is due to a lack of knowledge of these low data volumes.
28 TUKUR ABBA

While the enormous amount of data generated university libraries were identified to have adopted
every day would require a long time to be processed, AI in rendering library services. Among the number,
AI technologies that use machine learning can one in Nigeria, and seven in South Africa.
swiftly transform that data into useful knowledge The second phase was to send message
(Ajani et al., 2022). The cost of processing the containing the three open-ended questions through
enormous amounts of data that AI programming e-mail to the identified eight university libraries. Data
demands is now the main drawback of employing collection started in March 2023 and ended in May
AI. Nevertheless, researchers testified that the 30, 2023. The three open-ended questions sent
benefits of AI to its users significantly outweigh its through e-mail to the librarians in-charge of AI in
cost (Ali et al., 2020). For instance, Hayani et al. the eight university libraries in Africa are:
(2021) acknowledged that when properly utilised,
1. What type of artificial intelligence technologies
AI can enhance its users’ productivity, economy, and
are being used in your library?
decision-making process, as well as solving complex
problems and manage repetitive task accurately than 2. What library services are the artificial
ever before. Emezaiwakpor, Idiodi and Urhiewhu intelligence technologies deployed to render in
(2023) reported that in planning to deploy artificial your library?
intelligence in Nigerian academic libraries, technical 3. What are the challenges encountered in
issues will be the major impediments that Nigerian adopting artificial intelligence technologies in
academic libraries will be confronted in their ability your library?
to construct smart systems. The library must have
up-to-date technology, such as computers and other Thematic content analysis technique was used to
devices. The study also reported the shortage of analyse the qualitative data. Berg (2007) suggests
librarians who have been trained in artificial one way of handling information analysis is by content
intelligence technologies (Emezaiwakpor, Idiodi, and analysis or qualitative analysis. Berg further stressed
Urhiewhu, 2023). that content should be coded under certain themes
or questions being asked. In this study, content
Methodology analysis was used to categorise information obtained
Qualitative research method was adopted to collect from the e-mail responses according to the questions
data from librarians in-charge of the artificial and presented in table and chart. Responses from
intelligence unit. Qualitative method is when a the respondents were also incorporated in the
researcher collects data from interview or open discussion section.
ended question that gives respondents time to
mention responses. A preliminary study was carried Results
out by sending e-mails to librarians working in
university libraries in English speaking countries in Out of the 102 university libraries contacted in English
Africa. The aim was to identify university libraries Speaking countries in Africa, only eight university
that have actually deployed AI to render library libraries were identified to have adopted artificial
services in Africa. The e-mail addresses of the intelligence in rendering library services. The
respondents were collected from the various universities are: University of Lagos, Nigeria,
university library websites in Africa. The question University of Pretoria, South Africa, North West
asked was “whether that particular university library University, South Africa, University of Johannesburg,
had adopted AI technologies” sent as e-mail message South Africa, University of the Free State, South
to librarians working in university libraries in English Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, South
speaking countries. In total, 389 e-mail messages Africa, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa,
were sent to librarians in 102 university libraries in and Rhodes University, South Africa.
Africa. At the end of that preliminary survey, eight
 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AFRICA 29

Table 1: Type of Artificial intelligence adopted in the responding university libraries.

Name of university Country Type of AI adopted
1 University of Lagos Nigeria Robot
2 University of Johannesburg South Africa Chatbot, ChatGPT, Online
plagiarism game.
3 Vaal University of Technology South Africa RFID
4 Rhodes University South Africa Chatbot, LibKey from ThirdIron
5 North West University South Africa Robot and Chatbot
6 University of the Free State South Africa RFID technology and Grammarly

7 University of Witwatersrand South Africa Chatbot and RFID

8 University of Pretoria South Africa Robot

In Table 1, results revealed that the few university handle the early stages of complex reference
libraries in Africa have adopted different AI enquiries.
technologies such as Chatbot, ChatGPT, LibKey
from ThirdIron, robots, RFID (Radio Frequency The Library Services AI Technologies are
Identification Technology) and Grammarly. In Deployed to Render
addition, one librarian wrote:
AI is not one technology but a bundle of technologies
with general applications across many sectors of
We are now busy investigating other AI
activity. Some are suitable for reference services,
tools such as ChatGPT. This we are doing
cataloguing activities, collection development services,
in collaboration with various other
readers’ services, and so on. In this question,
divisions at the university, and there is a
respondents were asked the various library services
task group assigned to look at the bigger
the AI technologies are deployed to render in the
impact.
library. The various responses were quoted directly
as reported from the various libraries that have
According to Tella (2020), academic libraries
adopted AI technologies.
must reposition themselves to make use of the
At the University of Johannesburg, South
potentials of artificial intelligence to improve the
Africa, they use AI technologies to give students
quality of library services in this information age.
information and answer questions. In the words of
With AI operation, libraries can carry out tasks very
the librarian:
fast, compared to when being done by human beings.
AI is handy in discovering unexplored concepts, such
as outer space and reduces human errors in library We have a library app, a chatbot. We also
operations. Liu (2011) argued that academic libraries use Online plagiarism game that works
can develop artificial intelligence in libraries using on AI in the background. We also teach
expert systems in the reference section to students how to use ChatGPT in their
recommend to users the library materials to meet assignments when we teach Info Literacy
their queries. The potential merits of chatbots have courses.
been reported in some studies, based on their 24/7
availability to respond to user inquiries and ability to At the Vaal University of Technology, South Africa,
deal with scale or requests (McNeal and Newyear, AI technology such as RFID (Radio Frequency
2013; Vincze, 2017). Chatbots have a wide range of Identification) is used to render library services. In
potential uses in libraries: the most obvious being to the words of the librarian - we are using RFID self-
respond to routine information requests or even check-out machine for books. This machine assists
user to check the books in and out for themselves.
30 TUKUR ABBA

At the Rhodes University, South Africa, they In the words of the responding librarian:
use AI technologies in assisting the user services
section to answer queries relating to the library
We have acquired a tool for statistics
services. The responding librarian wrote:
evaluation and recommendations. Others
are in the pipeline like RFID (radio
We do have a chatbot on our library frequency identification) material coding
website as a tool to answer services- and the change in the security system.
related information and is from LibApps.
LibKey from ThirdIron is also another At the University of Pretoria, South Africa, responses
service we have that has some AI revealed that the library uses robot for several
capabilities of linking technology that lets services. According to the responding librarian:
scholars to access both open access
publications from the public web and full-
The robot, named Libby, has over 60
text academic journal articles to which
sensors, cameras and software integration
the library subscribes.
which it uses to receive commands or
request. The robot is able to perform a
Response from North West University (NWU),
range of services which include repetitive
South Africa revealed that the NWU Library has
task like answering of users’ query,
adopted Artificial intelligence technologies in library
assisting in the charging and discharging
service delivery. The responding librarian reported
of library materials as well as
that the physical robot and chatbot is under
entertainment of library users. Beyond
construction which will be used as library assistant
carrying out repetitive tasks, the robot is
in the library. In the words of the Librarian:
able to process survey data since it’s able
to connect to online cloud through WIFI.
The physical robot will be used as library
assistant. It will provide support and At the University of Lagos Library, Nigeria, the
respond to basic questions to the patrons. study found that the library had adopted AI technology
It will also be used as a marketing tool like robots for client services. In the words of the
for the library and the institution as a responding librarian:
whole. The chatbot will be used to provide
online support to the patrons 24/7.
The client services robots were acquired
with the aim to assist librarians in library
Response from University of the Free State, South
operations, such as answering of
Africa revealed that they have adopted AI for tagging
directional and ready reference questions
books in all the branch libraries, and AI language
posed by library users. The library users
tool such as Grammarly. According to the responding
are able to interact with the robots using
librarian:
the voice recognition feature of the robot.
Beyond answering of reference queries,
We are currently implementing RFID
the robot also serve as a knowledge base
technology, the first phase was tagging
for cataloguing information of library
books in all our libraries, that is done and
materials, as such, library users are able
we are now in the process of rolling out
to query the robot to determine the
RFID technology fully.
availability or otherwise of a particular
information resource in the library. In
Response from University of the Witwatersrand,
addition, the robot at the University of
South Africa revealed that they have adopted
Lagos Library has the capability to take
Chatbot to answer general library queries, and AI
user statistics thus, providing library
tool for statistics evaluation and recommendations.
 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AFRICA 31

management with accurate or near monitor users, particularly service areas (American
accurate user data for planning and Library Association, 2022; Datagen, 2022).
decision making. The robot also The findings from the present study on the use
possesses other unique features which of AI to support rendering library services agrees
include research data management, with Al-Aamri and Osman (2022) who studied the
research assistance, surveillance abilities potential of artificial intelligence to enhance library
and entry validation intelligence. The operations and services and that robots will assist in
robot is able to render user specific providing library services. Similarly, Vysakh and
services and consequently adding value Babu (2020) studied the use of robots in libraries
to the library services. and found that most jobs carried out in libraries can
be done by robots. It has become imperative to note
Responses from the various university libraries that the use of AI in academic libraries mostly in
showed that they have adopted AI technologies to Africa as it is adopted in developed countries will aid
support rendering different library services. in the delivery of information services as well as
Although, the adoption level is still at a very slow in better search, which will thrill both library staff and
Africa. For university libraries to fully deploy AI for users due to the faster access to information.
meeting their various service needs, they need to
first adopt and implement these tools. According to Challenges Encountered in Adopting AI in
Ajani, et al. (2022), implementing artificial intelligence University Libraries in Africa.
(AI) in university libraries can increase the
effectiveness of library operations in general and Regarding challenges associated with the adoption
reference services in particular. Several studies have of AI in university libraries in Africa. Respondents
argued that AI can be used in the area of library were asked to mention the challenges they
security, as university libraries are now deploying encountered. The responses were sorted according
AI-based facial recognition technology to track and to similar themes and grouped together. Results
presented in the Figure 1.

challenges associated with adoption of AI

Figure 1: Challenges associated with adoption of AI

32 TUKUR ABBA

Out of the responding eight institutions, 7 (87.5%) We are still doing some research and
mentioned lack of funds to acquire the AI tools as a attending workshops to guide us in what
challenge. This was followed by 5 (62.5%) best approaches to follow when adopting
responding institutions who mentioned training needs AI.
of librarians. This shows that availability of funds
and the training and re-training is needed before Conclusion
adoption and implementation of AI technologies in
university libraries in Africa. One of the respondents The qualitative study revealed that only few university
wrote: libraries in Africa adopt AI technologies such as
Chatbot, ChatGPT, LibKey from ThirdIron, robots,
The cost of designing these different RFID technology and Grammarly. These AI
things has been the biggest challenge. technologies are used to render different library
The second challenge is getting librarians services like answering of directional and ready
to understand how to use the technology reference questions posed by library users, serving
so that they can teach students. Another as a knowledge base for cataloging information of
mentioned - The challenge was to choose library materials, self-check-out machine for books,
between procuring a robot or in-house used as a marketing tool for the library, tool for
building of the robot. Both options come statistics evaluation and recommendations, assisting
with huge risks however we chose the in the charging and discharging of library materials,
latter due to financial constraints and also and so on.
the support and maintenance we hoped Challenges such as lack of funds to acquire
we will get internally. the AI tools, training of librarians, and lack of full
knowledge of AI were the most mentioned by the
The third most mentioned challenge was lack of full responding institutions in Africa as challenges
knowledge of AI. This was mentioned by 3 (37.5%) associated with adoption of AI in the library. The
out of the eight responding institutions. Reflecting adoption of AI technologies for assisting library
on the role of libraries in an AI world, IFLA-FAIFE, activities has been a boon in the Western world more
(2020) statement emphasised on the importance of than in Africa. Therefore, the findings of this present
equipping library staff and library and information study will inform librarians, most especially in Africa,
science students with a basic understanding of AI, the way in which AI technologies can be integrated
and pointed out the role libraries can play in educating for supporting various library operations
the general public about AI. It is interesting to see The intensive pressure on librarians to provide
conferences and workshops held recently concerning high quality services to library users due to
AI in the libraries. This will no doubt equip librarians information explosion in our present society have led
with the knowledge and skills needed to use AI to incorporating modern technologies. Artificial
technologies in libraries in Africa. One of such intelligence technologies have penetrated into almost
conferences in Africa was “Artificial Intelligence all the fields of life including libraries which can do
Symposium: 3rd IFLA Symposium on Artificial things even human incapable of with higher
Intelligence, North West University, Potchefstroom, efficiency. The adoption of AI technology in
South Africa, held 5-7 September, 2023”. Another academic libraries is setting a new level of efficient
is “Transforming LIS Education through Digital and effective library services delivery. Librarians in
Technologies and Collaborative Strategies, with Africa have begun to adopt artificial technology in
emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, organised by some specific areas of their respective libraries to
Nigerian Association of Library and Information meet with current global trends.
Science Educators (NALISE), at the University of
Uyo, Nigeria, held Nov. 6-10, 2023.” The need to Recommendations
attend conferences and workshops on Artificial
Based on the findings, the following recommenda-
Intelligence was emphasised by one of the
tions are made.
respondents when he wrote:
 USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AFRICA 33

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Journal of Artificial General Intelligence, 10 Tukur Abba is currently Senior Lecturer in the
(2) 1–37. Department of Library and Information Science,
Wheatley, A., and Hervieux, S. (2019). Artificial Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State,
Intelligence in Academic Libraries: An Nigeria. He holds a PhD degree in Library and
Environmental Scan. Information Services and Information Science from the University of
Use, 39 (7) 1–10. Maiduguri, Nigeria. He was the University Librarian,
Modibbo Adama University, Yola (2018-2023). He
Winkler, B., and Kiszl, P. (2021). Views of Academic is presently on sabbatical leave at the Federal
Library Directors on Artificial Intelligence: A University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria. He is
Representative Survey in Hungary. New Review a Certified Librarian of Nigeria (CLN).
of Academic Librarianship, 28 (7) 1-17.