Clarivate launched today its first Pulse of the Library report. The report combines feedback from a global survey of over 1,500 librarians with qualitative interviews and reveals libraries are in the early days of AI implementation.
Key findings of the report include:
Most libraries have an AI plan in place, or one in progress: Over 60% of respondents are evaluating or planning for AI integration.
AI adoption is the top tech priority: AI-powered tools for library users and patrons top the list of technology priorities for the next 12 months, according to 43% of respondents.
AI is advancing library missions: Key goals for those evaluating or implementing AI include supporting student learning (52%), research excellence (47%) and content discoverability (45%), aligning closely with the mission of libraries.
Librarians see promise and pitfalls in AI adoption: 42% believe AI can automate routine tasks, freeing librarians for strategic and creative activities. Levels of optimism vary regionally.
AI skills gaps and shrinking budgets are top concerns. Lack of expertise and budget constraints are seen as greater challenges than privacy and security issues:
Shrinking budgets: Almost half (47%) cite shrinking budgets as their greatest challenge.
Skills gap: 52% of respondents see upskilling as AI’s biggest impact on employment, yet nearly a third (32%) state that no training is available.
AI advancement will be led by IT: By combining the expertise of heads of IT with strategic investment and direction from senior leadership, libraries can move from consideration to implementation of AI in the coming years.
Regional priorities differ: Librarians’ views on other key topics such as sustainability, diversity, open access and open science show notable regional diversity.
Source: Clarivate Pulse of the Library Report 2024
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
Clarivate launched today its first Pulse of the Library report. The report combines feedback from a global survey of over 1,500 librarians with qualitative interviews and reveals libraries are in the early days of AI implementation.
