Sunday, May 11, 2025

Pulse of the Library: Clarivate Report

Beit-Arie, O., (2024). Pulse of the Library 2024. Clarivate. DOI: 10.14322/pulse.of.the.library.2024.   https://clarivate.com/pulse-of-the-library/

Submitted by Lisa Danes

Summary:

The Pulse of the Library 2024 report conducted by Clarivate[i] last April 2024 reveals that while more than 60% of all types of libraries (out of 1,500 surveyed) are currently evaluating or planning for some kind of AI implementation in the next twelve months, 58% of respondents from public libraries indicated their institution has no plans or is not actively pursuing AI technology. Only 31% of academic institutions reported being in the same predicament. This situation typically results from limited budget resources. The numbers in support of AI are still much higher with intended large implementation efforts, though, as only 27% of respondents intend to enhance or adopt a library management system, and only 22% plan to expand solutions for collection development.

Many librarians are enthusiastic about the possibilities that AI tools continue to offer, specifically reducing routine tasks to permit more time for strategic and creative planning. However, the Clarivate report suggests that many more librarians (52%) are concerned about an AI skills gap and how the training needed would have the biggest near-term impact on employment. Some librarians plan to offer workshops, seminars, and online opportunities. However, 32% of global respondents indicated that no training will be available, while the number rose to 43% by U.S. respondents. Regardless of the kind of AI improvement, budget scarcity was often cited (47%) as being responsible for the lack of training opportunities.



[i] Clarivate is the parent company of ProQuest, Ex Libris, Web Science, and additional database resources.

  

Reflection: 

The possibilities are nearly endless for libraries to provide the most up-to-date information to patrons via advanced, convenient tools. I’ve been rather fascinated by the current literature around AI tools and libraries, so I have read several articles for our Assigned Reading assignment. Many themes are consistent throughout and are also reflected in the Clarivate survey: strained budgets typically prevent major AI advancements; librarians, especially those in the public sector, fear that machine assisted technology may ultimately eliminate their jobs; and a significant skills-gap exists that may not be adequately bridged.

The possibilities of AI in libraries are indeed endless. Enduring, ever-present issues such as funding must be tackled with the advancement of AI technology in mind to keep libraries at the forefront of always providing valuable, current information.

  

No comments:

Post a Comment