Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and Information Centers: Global and Indian Perspectives

Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(IV)| October2025 182 Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and Information Centers: Global and Indian Perspectives Rahul Deomare1, Ranjeet Shinde2 1-2 Research Scholar Dr D.Y. Patil Institute of Management and Entrepreneur Development Sppu Pune, Maharashtra, India Emailrahul7733d@gmai Mnuscript ID: JRD -2025-171046 ISSN: 2230-9578 Volume 17 Issue 10(IV) Pp. 18/2-185 October 2025 Submitted: 02 Oct. 2025 Revised: 18 Oct. 2025 Accepted: 24 Oct. 2025 Published: 31 Oct. 2025 Abstract This paper is a literature review on the current and emerging applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in libraries and information centers, which reports and surveys are collected and analyzed worldwide (Ifla, Arl, Ala/Pla, Oclc) along with the sources related to the Indian context (Inflibnet, Delnet). It offers an analysis of the benefits and ethical issues, table format presentation of facts and figures, and gives policy and training suggestions that can help libraries to incorporate AI in a responsible manner. Some of the important quantitative results are based on ARL polls (2023), PLA 2023 Public Library Technology Survey, and institutional reports and brochures of Indian networks. Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and generative models are transforming the process of knowledge organization, discovery, and delivery. Users are using AI in libraries and information centers to perform cataloging, metadata enhancement, virtual reference, discovery, and accessibility and to educate users. This paper summarizes the global and Indian evidence to give a practical overview of the library leaders, practitioners, and policymakers. Literature Review Significant library associations and research organizations have released recommendations and survey findings on AI in libraries. According to the IFLA Trend Report (2024), one of the central trends is the AI changing society, an aspect that needs libraries to be ready to handle change in terms of trust and competencies. In 2023, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) carried out two polls that indicated the rapid change in the attitude and planning of AI in research libraries. The report provided by the American Library Association (ALA) and Public Library Association (PLA) on the technology capacity and preparedness of public libraries (PLA Technology Survey, 2023). The implications of AI in academic and networked libraries have been discussed in Indian networks like Inflibnet and Delnet, and materials on DELNET show that there is provision of access to emerging AI tools. The Use of AI in Libraries. The typical uses of AI are: Computerized Finding and Indexing. Bibliographic data, full texts, and digital resources can be analyzed using the AI and machine learning algorithms that will automatically generate or improve metadata records. The automation saves on human input in cataloging, error reduction and accelerates large digital collections. Quick Response Code: Website: https://jrdrvb.org/ DOI: Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work noncommercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations ae licensed under the idential terms. Address for correspondence: Rahul Deomare, Research Scholar, Dr D Y Patil Institute of Management and Entrepreneur Development Sppu Pune, Maharashtra, India How to cite this article: Rahul Deomare, Ranjeet Shinde, (2025 Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and Information Centers: Global and Indian Perspectives, Journal Research & Development,17(10(IV)), 182-185 Original Article Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(IV)| October2025 183 Improved OCR and Image Recognition of Collection Digitization. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and computer vision technologies create by AI enhance the quality and searchability of digitized materials. They are able to deal with low-quality scans, handwriting and historical manuscripts better than the old OCR. The sophisticated tools are even able to identify regional scripts and languages, which allows access to cultural and archival collections of a larger scale. Discovery and Recommendation Systems. Discovery layers and recommender systems, powered by AI, are used to personalize the search experience of users based on their behaviors and interests. These are used to recommend relevant books, articles, or other digital materials based on metadata, patterns of usage, and other contextual information. Consequently, retrieving of information becomes quick, more accurate, and in accordance with the scholarly or professional requirements of the user. Computerised Reference and Chatbots. NLP chatbots and virtual assistants can be used to offer 24/7 services to library users. They have the ability to provide boilerplate questions, refer users to sources, and provide stepwise assistance with catalog searches or research databases. Virtual reference tools automate the front-line interactions and allow librarians to concern themselves with complex or specialized information requests. Accessibility Services (Auto-Captioning, Text Simplification) AI facilitates access to people of all abilities by providing automated captioning of audio-visual materials and simplifying complicated texts to various readers. Such tools are used by libraries to provide educational materials to users that are disabled, or lack proficiency in their language. These services enhance the assurance of libraries towards equity, inclusion, and universal design. AI Literacy Programs and User Education. Libraries are increasingly becoming hubs of AI and digital literacy, through workshops, tutorials and awareness. With the help of tutoring, users will know how to interpret AI technologies, assess their ethical consequences, and use them ethically during study and research. Libraries in general and academic libraries, in particular, are, therefore, a part of creating AI-aware communities. Facts & Figures Source (year) Metric Statistic / Finding Notes ARL Polls (April & Dec 2023) Libraries actively implementing generative AI (Dec 2023) 12% Shift from exploring→implementing: Dec 2023 results show 12% actively implementing; 60% exploring. (ARL, 2024) ARL Polls (April & Dec 2023) Libraries exploring potential AI applications (Dec 2023) 60% Indicates active exploration across research libraries. (ARL, 2024) PLA Technology Survey (2023) Public libraries offering digital literacy training 95% Most U.S. public libraries report offering some form of digital literacy training. (PLA, 2024) PLA Technology Survey (2023) Libraries with digital media production equipment 24.6% overall City libraries: 58.9%; Suburban: 38.2%; Town/Rural: 18%. (PLA, 2024) IFLA Trend Report (2024) IFLA key trend related to AI AI transforming society; renegotiation of trust Qualitative trend guidance for global libraries. (IFLA, 2024) ALA (Center for the Future of Libraries) Guidance & advocacy on AI literacy Multiple initiatives and resources ALA highlight’s role of libraries in AI literacy and ethical integration. (ALA, 2024-25) Table 1 demonstrate that there is an apparent tendency toward an increasing interest The data presented in in AI and its subsequent adoption in libraries all over the world. Although as of December 2023 only an estimated 12% of ARL libraries were actively pursuing the implementation of generative AI, a significantly Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(IV)| October2025 184 greater percentage (60) of libraries were interested in it. It means that most research libraries are in the experimental stage of AI implementation. According to the PLA 2023 survey, the level of digital literacy in a public library is high, as 95% of the responded libraries provide the corresponding programs, and AI literacy might be naturally introduced. The qualitative guidance of IFLA focuses on the potential change of AI on the society and the need to establish trust with the patrons. On the whole, there is a transition in global libraries, as it is necessary to balance innovation and ethical and operational concerns. Table 2: India-specific indicators and institutional facts Some Indian libraries are slowly getting involved with AI in networks like Delnet and Inflibnet. As Table 2 indicates, around 9,500 organizations are connected to Delnet which gives access to the emerging AI tools and resources. Although there is a dearth of structured quantitative adoption data, the 2019 Caliber paper by Inflibnet indicates that there is an increasing interest in pilot AI projects in academic libraries. The ecosystem of AI-enabled services is enhanced by national efforts to digitalize the country. These data reveal that the Indian libraries are building infrastructure and institutional preparedness, yet the systematic monitoring of the adoption and effect of AI is still needed to measure the effectual progress. Table 3 is a summary of main benefits and possible dangers of AI integration. Such benefits as automation of routine work, better discovery and recommendations, and 24/7 virtual reference services can be noted, and they all lead to the efficiency of operations and user experience. Nevertheless, the threat of algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, privacy, and the scarcity of personnel highlight that there is nothing risk-free about the adoption of AI. Specifically, issues of regional languages coverage in OCR, auto-generated metadata precision, and equal access are important to Indian and multicultural libraries. This is emphasized in the table which points to the necessity of libraries to use structured assessment and mitigation policies in addition to technological implementation. Integrated Analysis: Taking the three tables together, the indicators indicate that the AI implementation is rapidly growing across the world though it is not evenly spread. Libraries Research libraries are trying the generative AI, and public libraries emphasise on digital and AI literacy. The Indian libraries are at an infantile stage with a focus on infrastructure and training. In all contexts, Source (year) Metric Statistic / Finding Notes Delnet brochure (2025) Institutions In Delnet network ~9,500 institutions Delnet connects universities, colleges, R&D organizations across India; brochure notes provision of emerging AI tools access. (Delnet, 2025) Inflibnet Caliber paper (2019) AI prospects in academic libraries Qualitative: growing interest and pilot projects Survey/overview of AI applications in Indian academic libraries; recommends capacity building. (Inflibnet, 2019) Indian national developments (news 2025) INFLIBNET expansion & digitization initiatives Active national-level digitization & eresource programs Government & Inflibnet initiatives to strengthen digital resources for universities; supports AI-readiness indirectly. (News/Inflibnet, 2025) Benefits Representative evidence / metric Challenges / Risks Automation of routine tasks (cataloging, metadata) ARL & OCLC case examples; time savings reported in case studies Bias in training data; accuracy issues in autogenerated metadata Improved discovery & recommendations User experience improvements in pilot systems (reported qualitatively) Opaque algorithms; privacy risks in personalized services 24/7 virtual reference (chatbots) ARL & PLA references to chatbots & virtual assistants Quality control; need for AI literacy to evaluate responses Enhanced OCR and access to digitized collections Technological improvements reported by OCLC / academic projects OCR errors in historical documents; languages and scripts coverage (Indian languages are a concern) Community AI literacy programs PLA & ALA recommendations; ARL training frameworks Resource & staff training capacity; funding constraints Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(IV)| October2025 185 policy frameworks, development of staff and constant review are all necessary in order to have maximum benefits and reduce ethical, legal, and operational risks. Analysis and Discussion The statistics indicate that although a small share of libraries has transitioned to active implementation (e.g. 12% of ARL respondents in Dec 2023), most are actively scouting AI use-cases (ARL: 60% exploring in Dec 2023). Public libraries are already primarily focused on digital literacy and access (PLA: 95% offer some digital literacy training), which puts them in a good position to incorporate AI literacy. Networks like Delnet and Inflibnet are developing infrastructure in India that has a potential to aid libraries in learning about AI usage, but a systemic survey of AI use in Indian libraries lacks comprehensive data which is worthy of research. The Legal, Practical, and Ethical Issues. Among the main issues are algorithmic bias, transparency, data privacy (confidentiality of patrons), and copyright concerns regarding AI training data and other outputs, as well as the digital divide (the uneven access of AIenhanced services by urban and rural libraries). To avert risks, ARL and IFLA suggest open governance structures and AI literacy programs. Recommendations According to the evidence, libraries are supposed to: 1. Establish effective AI policies on privacy, transparency, and accountability (based on ARL guiding principles). 2. Invest in employee training and AI literacy courses of customers (apply PLA/ALA models). 3. AI pilot applications having evaluation metrics (accuracy, equity, impact on services). 4. Use open or transparent AI tools where possible and report the use cases to the benefit of the community. 5. To the libraries of India: share infrastructure (Delnet, Inflibnet), and shared pilots. Conclusion AI presents groundbreaking possibilities to libraries that should be done with diligent attention, caution, and situational sensitivity. Surveys across the globe state the interest is broad and actively seeks to explore, whereas Indian networks depict institutional willingness to facilitate AI adoption. The libraries that integrate pragmatic pilots, staff training, and open-minded governance will be in a good position to utilize AI to get enhanced access, discovery, and learning. References. 1. Association of Research Libraries. 2024. Evolving AI Strategies in Libraries: Insights from Two Polls of Arl Member Representatives over Nine Months. ARL. 2. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). 2024. IFLA Trend Report 2024. IFLA. 3. Public Library Association (PLA). 2024. 2023 Public Library Technology Survey: Summary Report. ALA/PLA. 4. American Library Association. 2024-2025. Artificial Intelligence | Center for the Future of Libraries. ALA. 5. Delnet. 2025. Delnet brochure: Access to Emerging AI Tools & Technologies for Libraries and Researchers. Delnet. 6. Inflibnet Centre. 2019. Gujral, Garima et al., Perceptions and Prospects of Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Academic Libraries: An Overview of Global Trends. Inflibnet.