Smart Libraries and Digital Transformation:Redefining Information Services in the 21st Century

Abstract

The revolution of the conventional library with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, Big Data analytics, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and more has enabled India's libraries to transform into an intelligent knowledge center that is user-centric.This research article aims to consider the aspect of multidimensional smart library development in Indian library institutions, based on the information collected from the National Knowledge Network (NKN), INFLIBNET, the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) and a cross-sectional survey of 186 academic and public libraries of 22 states and 2 Union Territories in India.The study examines pathways for digital transformation from 2018 to 2024, financial and skill challenges, structural inequities in achieving an equitable digital transformation (urban-to-rural digital divide), user satisfaction and budget trends and policy frameworks such as the National Education Policy 2020.The results reflect a clear diffusion pattern with the premier universities (IITs and IIMs) having a good proportion of their files digitised and small state universities and public libraries are less well served.From these insights, this article offers some policy suggestions to policymakers, library professionals and library administrators that can help in filling these gaps and make the smart library ecosystem truly inclusive in India.