Perceived awareness and usefulness of artificial intelligence technology for efficient library operations in university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria

The integration of artificial intelligence technology in academic libraries has immensely elevated the image of their operations and services to users. This study investigates the perceived awareness and usefulness of artificial intelligence technology for library operations in Kwara State academic libraries. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study and the population consisted of 108 librarians and paraprofessionals in all university libraries in Kwara State which are University of Ilorin, Kwara State university Malete, Al Hikmah University, Ojaja , University, Eyenkorin, Landmark University, Omu Aran, and Ahmad Pategi University, Patigi. A total enumeration technique was employed and questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected wewre analysed with frequency counts and simple percentages. Findings revealed that AI Robots, AI chatbots, face recognition technology, virtual references, Humanoids, Dynamed and AI expert systems are the AI technologies the respondents were highly aware of. The respondents perceived the usefulness of AI technologies for efficient library operations such as AI chatbots can be useful for reference services, AI can used for cataloguing and classification of library materials, AI drone surveillance can be used for library security, AI expert search tools for information search, AI can be useful for automating library routines. The findings also revealed the challenges of artificial intelligence technology integration to library operations to includes potential loss of job, high risk of maintenance, inadequate internet service provision, technical problems, epileptic electricity or power supply, and Inadequate ICT facilities for AI technologies. This study concluded that the librarians in university libraries in Kwara State are aware of AI technology and perceived the usefulness of its integration to library operations. It also recommends that AI technologies such as robots, chatbots, and expert systems should be integrated to libraries in other to provide top-notch services to their users.