As digital transformation continues to reshape the way we access and manage information, national libraries across the world are exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their services. LibrarIN Deliverable D3.2 – Digital Transformation and ICT v2.0 provides an in-depth examination of how AI is being integrated into national libraries, the key drivers behind its adoption, and the challenges that remain.
AI: The Next Frontier in Library Innovation
Libraries have long been pioneers in adopting digital technologies, from the transition to eBooks and digital lending to the use of social media for community engagement. More recently, AI tools have begun transforming library operations, offering new possibilities for automated cataloguing, content tagging, and the digitisation of historical texts.
However, AI adoption also presents challenges. Libraries must navigate ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, and the need for upskilling staff to effectively leverage AI tools. Unlike previous innovations, the use of AI in libraries remains relatively unexplored, making research such as Deliverable D3.2 essential in understanding its impact.
The LibrarIN Research Initiative
To assess how AI is being implemented in libraries, a consortium of six European research institutions conducted an exploratory interpretative study as part of the LibrarIN project. The study focused on 13 national libraries across Europe and the United States, drawing insights from 70 expert interviews with project leaders, cataloguing specialists, and librarians.
Participating Libraries:
The study examined AI adoption in the following National Libraries:
- Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België (Belgium)
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (Germany)
- Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Denmark)
- Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu (Estonia)
- Biblioteca Nacional de España (Spain)
- Kansalliskirjasto (Finland)
- Bibliothèque nationale de France (France)
- Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Netherlands)
- Nasjonalbiblioteket (Norway)
- Kungliga biblioteket (Sweden)
- Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica (Slovenia)
- British Library (United Kingdom)
- Library of Congress (United States)
Key Findings from the Research
- Northern European libraries are leading in AI adoption, particularly in automated cataloguing, metadata generation, and converting historical texts into digital formats.
- Benelux countries follow closely behind, having launched multiple AI-driven projects.
- Southern and Eastern European national libraries have fewer AI initiatives, primarily due to funding limitations and slower digital adoption.
- AI is predominantly used for automated metadata creation, digitisation of historical documents, and natural language processing (NLP) for document retrieval.
The research highlights that while some libraries have been proactive in implementing AI, others face significant obstacles, including budget constraints, lack of technical expertise, and ethical concerns surrounding AI-driven decision-making.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Libraries
The findings of Deliverable D3.2 provide the groundwork for a cross-case analysis, scheduled for Year 3 of the LibrarIN project. While this stage of research does not offer direct recommendations, it sets the stage for further exploration into how libraries can integrate AI responsibly and effectively.
As libraries continue to modernise, they must strike a balance between AI-driven efficiency and their fundamental principles of accessibility, privacy, and knowledge preservation. The next phase of the study will examine these aspects in greater depth, shaping future AI adoption strategies within national libraries.
Download the Deliverable here.