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This paper aims to evaluate the accessibility of digital information systems as a key usability attribute in information retrieval by users with visual impairment (VI), to inform development of accessible information systems.

This study used a cross-sectional survey design based on the quantitative research paradigm. Data was collected from 117 students with visual impairments from selected public universities in Kenya, using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

This study revealed that gender did not influence screen reader compatibility, alternative format preferences, perceptions of accessible content or digital library navigability. Instead, type of visual impairment, prior assistive technology (AT) training and digital library use frequency significantly impacted these attributes. Blind students reported positive experiences, favouring alternative formats, and expressed positive views on accessible content while those with low vision faced more challenges. Prior training in assistive technology and frequent digital library use resulted in higher screen reader compatibility and better navigability. Increased digital library use was linked to access to alternative content for those with prior assistive technology training.

This study contributes to the existing literature on accessibility of digital information systems for users with visual impairments. Further research is needed to explore other factors that may influence the accessibility of digital systems, such as the design of user interfaces as well as an evaluation of accessibility of digital systems for other categories of disabilities such as hearing impairment, physical impairment, autism and intellectual disability, among others.

The findings of this study have practical implications for the design and development of digital systems such as digital libraries. Developers can leverage findings of this study to enhance compatibility of digital platforms with screen readers and provide alternative formats and accessible content. User-centred design principles can be used to create interfaces that are easy to navigate and friendly to users with visual impairments. Training programmes on assistive technology should be provided to users to enhance their skills and confidence in using digital systems.

This study contributes towards design and creation of navigable systems that are compatible with screen readers. The study also points out the importance of creating more inclusive and usable digital environments for persons with visual impairments.

This study aims to assess the digital literacy of African library and information science (LIS) professionals. Digital literacy skills are required in the digital library environment.

Relevant literature was reviewed on this topic; previous study questionnaires, various university LIS curriculum, content analysis and job advertising were used for preparing the survey questionnaire. This study used an ex post facto research design. Purposive sampling was adopted in this study, and data were collected from Google form by sharing the research questionnaire by hyperlink which was undertaken from March 15, 2022 to May 24, 2022. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. A four-point Likert scale was used to measure how library professionals acquired digital literacy skills. Content analysis of more than 500 job vacancies over the past three years (2018–2022) of library job advertisements was taken randomly.

This study’s findings show that the majority of the good at basic level of digital literacy skills at the same time have less in advanced digital literacy skills. The finding of this study shows the majority of them have to upgrade and learn about advanced digital literacy skills.

This study recommends adopting a new syllabus and updating a LIS curriculum based on the library’s technological development. Furthermore, this study’s potential result suggests more practical classes instead of theoretical study and it is useful to the library schools, associations, MOOC providers and lifelong learners.

This study is conducted with 102 African library professionals from 13 countries. This study discusses futuristic digital literacy skills and basic literacy skills. This study is beneficial to those who are preparing a new curriculum in LIS fields.

The purpose of this paper is to measure the relationship of technology acceptance model (TAM) variables (PEOU and PU) with behavioral intention (BI) and attitude in mobile and digital libraries context. This study also examines the relationship of external variables (information quality and system quality) with TAM variables (PEOU and PU) in mobile and digital libraries context.

This meta-analysis was performed through PRISMA-P guidelines. Four databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and LISTA) were used for searching, and the search was conducted according to defined criteria.

Findings of this study revealed a large effect size of PU and PEOU with BI. There was also a large effect size of PU and PEOU with attitude. A medium effect size was found between SysQ → PU, InfoQ → PU and SysQ → PEOU. However, there was a small effect size between InfoQ and PEOU.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there was no study published till the time of conducting this meta-analysis. Hence, this study fills the literature gap. This study also confirms that TAM is a valid model in the acceptance and use of technology in mobile and digital libraries context. Thus, the findings of the present study are helpful for developers and designers in designing and developing mobile library apps. It will also be beneficial for library authorities and system librarians in designing and developing digital libraries in academic settings.

The purpose of this paper is to provide adaptive access to learning resources in the digital library.

A novel method using ontology-based multi-attribute collaborative filtering is proposed. Digital libraries are those which are fully automated and all resources are in digital form and access to the information available is provided to a remote user as well as a conventional user electronically. To satisfy users' information needs, a humongous amount of newly created information is published electronically in digital libraries. While search applications are improving, it is still difficult for the majority of users to find relevant information. For better service, the framework should also be able to adapt queries to search domains and target learners.

This paper improves the accuracy and efficiency of predicting and recommending personalized learning resources in digital libraries. To facilitate a personalized digital learning environment, the authors propose a novel method using ontology-supported collaborative filtering (CF) recommendation system. The objective is to provide adaptive access to learning resources in the digital library. The proposed model is based on user-based CF which suggests learning resources for students based on their course registration, preferences for topics and digital libraries. Using ontological framework knowledge for semantic similarity and considering multiple attributes apart from learners' preferences for the learning resources improve the accuracy of the proposed model.

The results of this work majorly rely on the developed ontology. More experiments are to be conducted with other domain ontologies.

The proposed approach is integrated into Nucleus, a Learning Management System (https://nucleus.amcspsgtech.in). The results are of interest to learners, academicians, researchers and developers of digital libraries. This work also provides insights into the ontology for e-learning to improve personalized learning environments.

This paper computes learner similarity and learning resources similarity based on ontological knowledge, feedback and ratings on the learning resources. The predictions for the target learner are calculated and top N learning resources are generated by the recommendation engine using CF.

This study aims to investigate whether students would accept augmented reality technology in Al Ain University (AAU) libraries as part of digital library services.

This study used a modified technology acceptance model–based survey instrument for data collection. Data was collected through an online questionnaire, which was sent to 400 students via email in March 2023. Out of the total participants, 176 students completed the questionnaire.

This study found that AAU students have a positive perception of augmented technology use in the library. They believe that augmented technology will be useful and easy to use, and students are willing to use it to access library resources and services.

This study contributes to the digital library perspectives in academic libraries.

This study aims to analyze the status and application/use of human–computer interaction (HCI) in libraries by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR).

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was used to search Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The search criteria included research studies published in English language between 2010 and 2021, which were 4,167 citations. Out of 4,167 citations, a total of 50 studies were selected for the final analysis.

The results showed a positive attitude of librarians toward HCI applications in libraries worldwide. The results depict that one-third (30%) of the studies were conducted in the USA, followed by four (8%) studies in China. Out of 50 studies, a portion of 15 (30%) studies were based on digital libraries, followed by seven (14%) studies on academic libraries and five (10%) studies on libraries and their websites. HCI was used for searching and retrieving information, users’ interaction, authentication, online help/support, feedback, library web access, web OPAC, virtual access to resources, indigenous repository and virtual services. The most productive year was 2015, and journal of The Electronic Library had more articles on HCI than other journals.

The findings of this study could assist policymakers and library authorities in reconciling the HCI application in libraries for providing effective and efficient access and services to end-users.

This study is unique as no comprehensive study has been conducted on the use of HCI in librarianship using the SLR method.

This paper aims to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries in Bangladesh and provide recommendations to guide the responsible integration of AI to enhance library services and accessibility.

The paper reviews relevant literature on the applications of AI in libraries, the current state of technology adoption in Bangladeshi libraries and the ethical considerations surrounding AI implementation. It analyzes the potential benefits of AI tools such as chatbots, intelligent search engines, text-to-speech and language translation for improving user services and inclusion. The challenges of infrastructure constraints, lack of resources and skills, data privacy issues and bias are also examined through the lens of the Bangladeshi context.

AI offers transformative opportunities to automate operations, strengthen user services through 24/7 virtual assistants and personalized recommendations and promote accessibility for diverse users in Bangladeshi libraries. However, significant challenges such as inadequate technology infrastructure, funding limitations, shortage of AI-skilled staff, data privacy risks and potential biases must be addressed. Strategically planning for sustainable implementation, building AI capacity, prioritizing ethical AI development and fostering collaborations are critical factors for successful AI adoption.

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the prospects and obstacles in leveraging AI specifically for libraries in Bangladesh. It offers original insights and context-specific recommendations tailored to the needs and constraints of a developing nation working to harness AI’s potential to create dynamic, inclusive knowledge centers serving all communities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology and turned into a field of knowledge that has been consistently displacing technologies for a change in human life. It is applied in all spheres of life as reflected in the review of the literature section here. As applicable in the field of libraries too, this study scientifically mapped the papers on AAIL and analyze its growth, collaboration network, trending topics, or research hot spots to highlight the challenges and opportunities in adopting AI-based advancements in library systems and processes.

The study was developed with a bibliometric approach, considering a decade, 2012 to 2021 for data extraction from a premier database, Scopus. The steps followed are (1) identification, selection of keywords, and forming the search strategy with the approval of a panel of computer scientists and librarians and (2) design and development of a perfect algorithm to verify these selected keywords in title-abstract-keywords of Scopus (3) Performing data processing in some state-of-the-art bibliometric visualization tools, Biblioshiny R and VOSviewer (4) discussing the findings for practical implications of the study and limitations.

As evident from several papers, not much research has been conducted on AI applications in libraries in comparison to topics like AI applications in cancer, health, medicine, education, and agriculture. As per the Price law, the growth pattern is exponential. The total number of papers relevant to the subject is 1462 (single and multi-authored) contributed by 5400 authors with 0.271 documents per author and around 4 authors per document. Papers occurred mostly in open-access journals. The productive journal is the Journal of Chemical Information and Modelling (NP = 63) while the highly consistent and impactful is the Journal of Machine Learning Research (z-index=63.58 and CPP = 56.17). In the case of authors, J Chen (z-index=28.86 and CPP = 43.75) is the most consistent and impactful author. At the country level, the USA has recorded the highest number of papers positioned at the center of the co-authorship network but at the institutional level, China takes the 1st position. The trending topics of research are machine learning, large dataset, deep learning, high-level languages, etc. The present information system has a high potential to improve if integrated with AI technologies.

The number of scientific papers has increased over time. The evolution of themes like machine learning implicates AI as a broad field of knowledge that converges with other disciplines. The themes like large datasets imply that AI may be applied to analyze and interpret these data and support decision-making in public sector enterprises. Theme named high-level language emerged as a research hotspot which indicated that extensive research has been going on in this area to improve computer systems for facilitating the processing of data with high momentum. These implications are of high strategic worth for policymakers, library stakeholders, researchers and the government as a whole for decision-making.

The analysis of collaboration, prolific authors/journals using consistency factor and CPP, testing the relationship between consistency (z-index) and impact (h-index), using state-of-the-art network visualization and cluster analysis techniques make this study novel and differentiates it from the traditional bibliometric analysis. To the best of the author's knowledge, this work is the first attempt to comprehend the research streams and provide a holistic view of research on the application of AI in libraries. The insights obtained from this analysis are instrumental for both academics and practitioners.

Through a review of the literature, this article seeks to outline and understand the evolution and extent of user–participant involvement in the existing library and information science (LIS) research to identify gaps and existing research approaches that might inform further methodological development in participant-oriented and design-based LIS research.

A scoping literature review of LIS research, from the 1960s onward, was conducted, assessing the themes and trends in understanding the user/participant within the LIS field. It traces LIS research from its early focus on information and relevancy to the “user turn”, to the rise of participatory research, especially design-based, as well as the recent inclusion of Indigenous and decolonial methodologies.

The literature review indicates that despite the reported “user turn”, LIS research often does not include the user as an active and equal participant within research projects.

The findings from this review support the development of alternative design research methodologies in LIS that fully include and involve research participants as full partners – from planning through dissemination of results – and suggests avenues for continuing the development of such design-based research. To that end, it lays the foundations for the introduction of a novel methodology, Action Partnership Research Design (APRD).