Towards Digitally enabled libraries
Priti Jain · Alternation Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa · 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies worldwide in most industries.Libraries and information centers are no exception, considering their aims of meeting the diverse needs of users.Achieving social, economic, and political development is dependent on access to information for research, development, and decision-making.All types of libraries are forced to re-examine their roles to conform to the ever-changing information environment.Despite the promising benefits of employing 4IR technologies towards transformation and development, no empirical study has been carried out in Botswana libraries.The purpose of this study was to assess the current digital transformation practices, prospects, and challenges faced in the adoption of 4IR technologies in libraries in Botswana to leverage the economic benefits of the technologies driven by 4IR.The data for this study was collected through an online survey tool (Google Forms) using a snowball sampling technique among academic librarians.The study revealed that Botswana libraries are not yet ready for 4IR technology implementation as they are not using AI, Blockchain, robotics, big data, and 3D-technology.However, the study identified the major opportunities as: access to digital information without any geographical barriers, knowledge sharing, and skill transfer, increased collaboration with peers and customers, economic/ national development through increased access to information, opportunity to promote literate, informed and participative societies and knowledge and augmentation of robots as humans for improved library services.The main challenges were found to include: financial constraints, lack of technological infrastructure and skills.The majority of the participants had soft skills and were aware of the opportunities offered by 4IR technologies, but were not able to use them.The study recommends adequate funding for building suitable technological infrastructure, implementation of 4IR in Library School curriculum, formulation of technology and digital literacy policy framework and Government support.