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The purpose of this paper is to highlight the sources of noise generation in a library and suggest the implementation of a sound masking system to provide acoustic comfort, maintain speech privacy and create an environment more engaging for the users.

Analyzing the existing literature and exploring the existing practices as observed in different libraries, the study gives an overview of the sound masking initiatives in libraries.

With practical examples of libraries, the study demonstrates how a sound masking system has been implemented to invoke better acoustic design in the library. The expansion of various activities in the library and a gradual shift from individual attention to a collaborative approach necessitates a strong focus on the acoustic design architecture of the library. The study showcases how the libraries adopt sound masking with the introduction of acoustic panels, dual panel partitions, sound-absorbent false ceilings, sound insulation, sound isolation and noise-dampening measures, installing furniture with sound containment features, adopting vibration control mechanism, mounting of white noise machines, etc., keeping the aesthetic quotient of the library alive.

The study attempts to show the current practices of the adoption of the sound masking system in libraries and promotes collaborative reading with the creation of an acoustic design-influenced library environment to control noise and reverberation and provide a comfortable reading environment.

The present investigation aims to measure the extent of the adoption of research tools among libraries of higher education (HE) institutes across the world based on the types of research tools and their diverse purposes of use. This study also intends to identify the current practices followed by the HE libraries to implement research tools.

First, a stratified sampling method was used to select 130 HE libraries from four continents – Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. Second, a two-step Web content analysis was followed to collect data from the selected libraries along the parameters chosen for the survey.

This study gives an overview of the recent advances in the use of research tools by the libraries with numerous examples. Highlighting the differential rate of adoption of research tools across the regions, this study illustrates the degree of acceptance of research tools among the libraries.

This study limits itself to a handful of libraries with English websites in four regions only to avoid the language limitation of the researcher. Inaccessible websites of libraries of HE institutes were also excluded from the survey.

Future researchers may use the evaluation instruments as basic tools to develop advanced research instruments to carry out Web content analysis in diverse spheres. This study guides librarians to develop an improved understanding of the requirements of an immersive online environment with enhanced accessibility to a multiplicity of research tools and facilities to provide improved research support throughout the entire research life cycle.

This paper aims to investigate how augmented reality (AR) technology is adopted in the library to transform it into an immersive and interactive platform and highlights the future possibilities of the application of AR in libraries.

The study examines the current applications of AR in the library by consulting related literature and analyzing different library websites covering diverse geographical areas.

The paper with examples summarizes the current library practices of using AR technology and focuses on the AR-supported major library initiatives – right from document tracking, inventory management, wayfinding, supporting innovation and research, developing information literacy skills, etc.

The paper explores the possibility of improving user experience in the library by introducing AR applications and engaging users in an interactive and captivating environment.

The study aims to focus on the present automation status of the college libraries with an objective to offer enhanced Web-based library service on an affordable virtualization on cloud computing model.

With Infrastructure as a Service (Infrastructure as a Service) delivery model, this study demonstrates how libraries of colleges/smaller institutes could be connected to cloud Library Management System infrastructure through internet or dedicated point-to-point WAN connectivity. The Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model depicts how college libraries could form library consortium at its own private cloud environment with installation of the required LMS application, database, middleware and other prerequisites.

A cloud-based consortium approach for the college libraries will reduce the cost of purchasing hardware equipment and setting up of infrastructural facilities; relieve libraries of involving additional IT skilled manpower; foster collaborative approach with shared environment and minimise duplication in resource subscription.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first of its kind in the light of shifting of infrastructure, software and hardware requirements of smaller libraries for cooperative sharing in both IaaS and SaaS cloud platform. The study delineates step by step how college libraries could effectively leverage the cooperative cloud architecture for enhanced library services to reach wider user community.

The purpose of the present study is to explore the possibility of introducing a 3D environment in the library by reviewing current literature and to provide a good understanding of different purposes of using this immersive environment.

The present paper is a narrative account of libraries’ presence in the virtual world in combination with an overview of how libraries respond to the 3D environment. Relevant data for the review paper have been collected from library websites, books, journal articles, interview, etc.

The study found purposive involvement of libraries in this immersive environment which indicates that users use this exciting 3D medium to satisfy their information requirement.

The paper basically considers publications containing observations of broader research community in the relevant field and contents in websites dealing with virtual world and outlines the major features as discussed in available documents. The review study infers that the implementation of 3D project in libraries requires a mindset for the specific approach, from the end of both librarians and users, together with involvement of funds. Therefore, a library may start with a beta project and observe the effectiveness from the users’ perspective before embarking on a full-fledged project.

With numerous examples, as evident from publications and websites, the current review study makes an attempt to improve the understanding of librarians towards informed selection of projected purposes to be integrated with the virtual world from library perspective. The study also presents different approaches of libraries motivating users in the virtual world that other libraries may follow while considering their 3D library project.

The main purpose of this paper is to explore how robots are being used in the library to transform library services and what are the future possibilities of application of robots in libraries.

Analyzing various library websites and consulting literature relating to the use of robots in libraries, the current application of robots in libraries has been enumerated.

With the practical examples of libraries using different types of robots, this study summarizes diverse activities of artificial intelligence-mediated robots: managing the shelf, controlling circulation workflow, assisting in document retrieval, transporting articles, acting as subject guides, attending reference queries, etc.

This paper highlights how the introduction of robots in libraries improves the service productivity and creates a more engaging environment with the user group. The benefits and challenges of using robots in the library and the future possibilities are also discussed.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the existing literature on the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) and to give an overview of how libraries are adopting this emerging technology to make users feel more engaging with the library resources and service provision.

The basic architecture of IoT with its functionality has been enumerated and its different layers have been depicted.

A conceptual library IoT model, working on Message Queuing Telemetry Transport protocol, based on the fog-cloud computing layer of architecture has been proposed. This study also highlights the sensor-based current library services.

This study focuses on the existing practices of adoption of library IoT and discusses the possibilities of its future expansion in different areas.

The present study demonstrates how browser plugins have been adopted by libraries in recent times to empower users in participatory academic and research activities. The study aims to present a brief synthesis of the practical use of browser plugins in libraries and their possible future use.

Web-based survey method was applied in the study to search and find browser plugins associated with academic library websites and to explore their area of application.

With the descriptive account of the implementation of plugins in academic libraries, supported by numerous examples, the study presents the pertinence of various approaches as appeared on library websites.

The present investigation is limited to the academic libraries only.

The good practices enumerated in the study will improve the understanding of the young library professionals about the practical usage of plugins and the steps to enhance accessibility to plugins.

The study demonstrates how libraries are incorporating photo-sharing applications into the collection development and service provision to encourage improved user participation around digital inclusion. Investigating the steps to increase accessibility to photo-sharing sites and current photo-sharing practices, the paper seeks to highlight the extent of implementation across the world.

Stratified sampling method was used to select libraries from four continents. Content analysis was used to collect data from 160 libraries along the lines of evaluation models prepared for the purpose.

With the comparative account of implementation of photo-sharing apps, the study showcases the relevance of different approaches adopted by libraries and also presents an overview of the implementation with supportive examples.

The present investigation is limited to selected libraries of four continents and restricted to English websites only. The study may further be extended to include other types of libraries in different areas, including libraries using non-English websites, to get a fuller picture of implementation.

The paper makes an attempt to improve the understanding of the budding library professionals toward the usage pattern of photo-sharing sites. The guidelines, based on a brief synthesis of the functions/purposes of photo-sharing sites, will make a stronger case for the implications of this research to future photo-sharing practices.

The paper seeks to highlight how academic libraries are harnessing widgets to make library resources easily and conveniently accessible to users. Examining the characteristic features, purposes of use and types of widget applications, the paper aims to measure the degree of implementation of widget among academic libraries in different regions.

A stratified sampling method was followed for selecting four samples of population, each representing one of the four continents (North America, Europe, Australia and Asia) and content analysis was used to collect data along the checkpoints.

Giving a comparative account of widget implementation along the select dimensions, the study focused on relative acceptance of widgets among the continents and emphasized the areas where widget is being applied most. With examples, the study also illustrated the relevance of the different approaches taken by various libraries.

The study was confined to selected libraries of higher education institutes among the four continents only. Libraries having non‐English websites and restricted or limited access were not included.

This unique investigation presented a comprehensive picture of widget implementation among the academic libraries across the world. The findings will serve as a valuable guide for future librarians who wish to incorporate such technologies in library websites. Furthermore, the checkpoints used here may serve as a bedrock for framing questionnaire and interview schedule for conducting future research investigating users' perception of this new web‐based tool in order to comprehend fully the practicability and usefulness of widget.