TY - JOUR AB - Purpose The purpose of this study is to introduce the concept of big data and provide a comprehensive overview to readers to understand big data application framework in libraries.Design/methodology/approach The authors first used the text analysis and inductive analysis method to understand the concept of big data, summarize the challenges and opportunities of applying big data in libraries and further propose the big data application framework in libraries. Then they used questionnaire survey method to collect data from librarians to assess the feasibility of applying big data application framework in libraries.Findings The challenges of applying big data in libraries mainly include data accuracy, data reduction and compression, data confidentiality and security and big data processing system and technology. The opportunities of applying big data in libraries mainly include enrich the library database, enhance the skills of librarians, promote interlibrary loan service and provide personalized knowledge service. Big data application framework in libraries can be considered from five dimensions: human resource, literature resource, technology support, service innovation and infrastructure construction. Most libraries think that the big data application framework is feasible and tend to apply big data application framework. The main obstacles to prevent them from applying big data application framework is the human resource and information technology level.Originality/value This research offers several implications and practical solutions for libraries to apply big data application framework. VL - 45 IS - 4 SN - 2398-6247 DO - 10.1108/IDD-03-2017-0024 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-03-2017-0024 AU - Li Jun AU - Lu Ming AU - Dou Guowei AU - Wang Shanyong PY - 2017 Y1 - 2017/01/01 TI - Big data application framework and its feasibility analysis in library T2 - Information Discovery and Delivery PB - Emerald Publishing Limited SP - 161 EP - 168 Y2 - 2024/04/18 ER -