How to make the library smart? The conceptualization of the smart library
| Date | 01 October 2018 |
| Published date | 01 October 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-11-2017-0248 |
| Pages | 811-825 |
| Author | Gaohui Cao,Mengli Liang,Xuguang Li |
How to make the library smart?
The conceptualization of the
smart library
Gaohui Cao,Mengli Liang and Xuguang Li
Department of Information Management, Central China Normal University,
Wuhan, China
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims to clearly conceptualize the idea of the smart library and propose a holistic
approachto building smart libraries, in accordance with recentpractices and state-of-the-art technologies.
Design/methodology/approach –Drawing on an extensive review of existing literature and practice
about library construction, this paper distinguishes between similar types of smart library and divides the
conceptsassociated with smart library building into threedimensions: technology, service and human.
Findings –Traditional librariescan transform to smart libraries by strategic design and implementationof
advanced technologies,such as cloud computing, data mining and artificial intelligence,but they also need to
considerservice building, user cultivation and librariantraining.
Originality/value –Aligning to the three main dimensions of smart libraries (technology, service and
human), this study clarifies the concept of the smart library and offers strategic principles: integration of
infrastructures, constructionof service and human learning. It provides guidelines anddirections for public
and academiclibraries committed to becoming smart libraries.
Keywords Strategic alignment, Human factors, Smart library, Conceptualization, Library service,
Smart technology, Two-way sensing
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
According to the Statement on Libraries and Development made by the International
Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA, 2013), the library is the only
place in many communitieswhere people can access information that will help improvetheir
education, develop new skills, find jobs, build businesses, make informed agricultural and
health decisions or learn about environmental issues. Libraries have, therefore, been
continuously supported by governments and communities. However, they face increasing
challenges to meet the growing needs of their users. Thesechallenges are primarily in three
areas: rapid technologicalenvironment changes; extensive and rapid growth of data; and the
increase in and diversification of user needs. New technologies, such as the Internet of
Things (IoT), have brought both opportunities to upgrade library infrastructure andthe
challenges of adapting to rapid technicaldevelopment. Furthermore, traditional libraries are
typically unable to match commercial search engines in providing timely information
services that could handle exponential data growth.Therapidly changing and increasingly
The paper is funded by grants from the Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of
China (No. 13& ZD183), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2017M610489) and the self-
determined research funds of CCNU from the colleges’basic research and operation of MOE
(No. CCNU14Z02002, No. CCNU17TS0009 and No. CCNU17A03013).
How to make
the library
smart
811
Received23 November 2017
Revised25 December 2017
10January 2018
Accepted18 January 2018
TheElectronic Library
Vol.36 No. 5, 2018
pp. 811-825
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-11-2017-0248
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
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