Application of generative artificial intelligence in library operations and service delivery: A scoping review
Kelefa Mwantimwa, Grace Msoffe · Technical Services Quarterly · 2025
There is increasing evidence that, like other institutions, libraries are integrating and using generative AI to support their operations and service delivery. However, scoping reviews to comprehensively establish evidence on the application of AI in libraries are limited. This scoping review aimed to provide insights into the findings from scholarly works published between 1990 and August 2023. The study revealed a tremendous increase in research focusing on the application of generative AI in libraries in recent years. Number of publications on the topic varies significantly across different regions. Geographical regions like Asia have recorded a noticeable number of publications compared to America, Africa, and Europe. The review also found that descriptive, exploratory, and mixed research designs were the most common in the publications. Generative AI technologies such as Chatbots and Robots were widely reported to support multiple library operations and services. While the application of AI in libraries presents many opportunities, it also brings various challenges to libraries and librarians. To stay relevant and important, librarians should not lag behind in integrating and using AI for library operations and service delivery.