University libraries in transition: Understanding challenges and dilemmas of service transformation in the AI era
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47989/ir31iConf64281Keywords:
University library, Library services, Library transformation, Artificial intelligence, Actor network theoryAbstract
Introduction. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), university libraries are caught in a dilemma between transformation and maintaining the status quo. While the latter is reasonable, the transformation is considered imperative but multidimensionally challenging.
Method. By employing a meta-analysis qualitative approach, interview data of 16 librarians and 24 researchers from 2 case studies were analysed to identify the challenges of the transformation in university library services.
Analysis. Adopting the actor network theory (ANT) as a basic framework, the thematic analysis reveals the challenges from 5 nonhuman actors and 4 human actors (including policies, finance, infrastructure and software, AI algorithms, ethics, administration, library, database agents, and users).
Results. The inductive coding analysis identified 28 challenges of university library services transformation. Based on the findings, this study proposed a model of conflict among actors.
Conclusion(s). The identified challenges provide useful theoretical and practical evidence for optimising AI-driven transformation of university libraries. Moreover, the case setting is based in China, but the findings offer useful insights and indications that can be shared across international borders.
References
Ali, M. Y., Naeem, S. B., Bhatti, R., & Richardson, J. (2024). Artificial intelligence application in university libraries of Pakistan: SWOT analysis and implications. Global Knowledge Memory and Communication, 73(1/2), 219–234. https://doi.org/10.1108/gkmc-12-2021-0203
Barnaud, C., Corbera, E., Muradian, R., Salliou, N., Sirami, C., Vialatte, A., Choisis, J.-P., Dendoncker, N., Mathevet, R., Moreau, C., & et al. (2018). Ecosystem services, social interdependencies, and collective action: a conceptual framework. Ecology and Society, 23(1), Article 15. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09848-230115
Benbasat, I., & Wang, W. (2005). Trust in and adoption of online recommendation agents. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 6(3), 72-101. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00065
Çakmak, T., & Eroğlu, S. (2025). The use of artificial intelligence in university libraries in Türkiye: Practices, and perspectives of library directors. Information Development, 41(3), 642-655. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669241264743
Chen, Y., & Zhou, L. (2021). Library research support services in China's universities of traditional medicine: Understanding user requirements. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 38(4), 313–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12411
Erwin, E. J., Brotherson, M. J., & Summers, J. A. (2011). Understanding qualitative metasynthesis: Issues and opportunities in early childhood intervention research. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(3), 186-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053815111425493
Fenwick, T. J. (2010). (Un)doing standards in education with actor-network theory. Journal of Education Policy, 25(2), 117-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680930903314277
Gibney, E. L. (2024). AI models fed AI-generated data quickly spew nonsense. Nature, 632(8023), 18-19. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02420-7
Hareket, E., & Kartal, A. (2021). An overview of research on children’s rights in primary school: A meta-synthesis. Children and Youth Services Review, 131, 106286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106286
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2003). Information for all: The key role of libraries in the information society [Report]. UNESCO. https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/wsis/Documents/wsis-lugano.pdf
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (n.d.). Academic and research libraries section. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://www.ifla.org/units/academic-and-research-libraries/
Kennan, M. A., Corrall, S., & Afzal, W. (2014). ‘Making space’ in practice and education: research support services in academic libraries. Library Management, 35(8/9), 666–683. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm-03-2014-0037
Lamichhane, D. (2024). Advanced detection of AI-generated images through vision transformers. IEEE Access, 13, 3644–3652. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3522759
Latour, V., Pigot, T., Simon, M., Cardy, H., & Lacombe, S. (2005). Photo-oxidation of di-n-butylsulfide by various electron transfer sensitisers in oxygenated acetonitrile. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 4(2), 221-229. https://doi.org/10.1039/b413865c
Li, X., Wang, Y., Fu, L., & Xu, M. (2009). The university library: Incubation center of research innovation literacy. The Electronic Library, 27(4), 588–600. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910979552
Magnani, N. (2012). Nonhuman actors, hybrid networks, and conflicts over municipal waste incinerators. Organisation & Environment, 25(2), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026612449337
Mainardi, I. (2024). Change management: Artificial intelligence (AI) at the service of public administrations. AI & Society. 40(5), 3953-3981. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-02136-2
Peng, L., Wei, W., Gong, Y., & Jia, R. (2022). University library space renovation based on the user learning experience in two Wuhan universities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10395 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610395
Schubert, A. (2015). Cases and studies. Orvosi Hetilap, 156(46), 1871–1874. https://doi.org/10.1556/650.2015.30276
Seles, B. M. R. P., Jabbour, A. B. L. D., Jabbour, C. J. C., & Jugend, D. (2018). ‘sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth?’ Economic crises and CSR change management in difficult times. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 1(1), 4–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2017-0159
Shah, N. U., Bin Naeem, S., & Bhatti, R. (2025). Digital data sets management in university libraries: challenges and opportunities. Global Knowledge Memory and Communication, 74(1/2), 446-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/gkmc-06-2022-0150
Smit, W. (2021). Insight in cultural change during organisational transformation: A case study. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 34(5), 1047–1062. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-08-2020-0255
Sneed, S., Nguyen, C. H. P., & Eubank, C. L. (2020). An introduction to case study methodology: Single case and multiple case approaches. International Journal of Adult Education and Technology (IJAET), 11(4), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJAET.2020100101
Tawalbeh, A. K. (2025). Influence of AI on marketing strategies for university libraries. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(8), 191-201. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.08.018
Venturini, T. (2010). Diving in magma: How to explore controversies with actor-network theory. Public Understanding of Science, 19(3), 258-273. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662509102694
Virindha, K., & Syamili, C. (2025). Navigating the AI landscape in libraries: A PRISMA-based systematic analysis of AI applications in libraries. Journal of Web Librarianship, 19(1), 45–61.https://doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2025.2468697
Willig, C., & Wirth, L. (2018). A meta-synthesis of studies of patients’ experience of living with terminal cancer. Health Psychology, 37(3), 228-237. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000581
Yoon, S. (2025). Imaginaries of humanoids and evolutions of technological visions of AI in Eastern and Western media. AI & SOCIETY, 40(5), 3663–3672.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-02117-5
Zhou, L., Huang, R., & Zijlstra, T. (2019). Towards digital scholarship services in China's university libraries: Establishing a guiding framework from literature. The Electronic Library, 37(1), 108–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-04-2018-0074
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Hanyu Miao , Zengmin Wang , Lihong Zhou
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
