EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN LIBRARY SCIENCE: FROM AUTOMATION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Technology has evolved rapidly and has brought a lot of change in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). Libraries previously operated in a manual way, but nowadays are changing to intelligent ecosystems with the help of AI. Starting with the earlier automation efforts like OPACs, Integrated Library Systems, and digital repositories libraries became more efficient because of automation efforts into cataloging, circulation, and handling of resources. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics, along with robotics, are currently reshaping how information is structured, found and provided. AI applications are tools that can be deployed to create metadata automatically, help in search, make personalized recommendations, apply virtual reference services, and robotic help, increasing the accuracy, workflow efficiency, and user experience. These innovations play a supportive role in the process of evidence-based decision-making and help libraries deal with the problem of information overload and changing user expectations. However, the introduction of new technologies also brings up the issues of data privacy, the bias of the algorithms, and limitations of the infrastructure in addition to the need to train the staff on a consistent basis. These issues must be considered to provide ethical, transparent and inclusive access to information. With the adoption of AI and other technologies in libraries, the libraries are bound to transform into creative, customer-focused and community sensitive knowledge centers. This revolution highlights the future where intelligent libraries can be at the core of creating equal learning environments and knowledgeable populations.