National Librarians Day Special – 12 August 2025
When we speak about the foundation of education, we inevitably arrive at the library — a repository of knowledge and a beacon for learning. Over time, libraries have evolved from simple collections of books into vast, interconnected digital and virtual platforms. In this transformation, one technology stands out as a game-changer: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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National Librarians Day Special – 12 August 2025 |
On National Librarians Day, celebrated each year on 12 August to honour the legacy of Padma Shri Dr. S. R. Ranganathan — the father of Library Science in India — it is fitting to reflect on how AI is revolutionising library services and aligning with Dr. Ranganathan’s famous Five Laws of Library Science:
Books are for use.
- Every reader has their own book.
- Every book has its reader.
- Save the time of the reader.
- The library is a growing organism.
Today, AI can uphold and even enhance these principles more effectively than ever before.
AI: The New Architect of Library Innovation
Libraries worldwide are embracing AI-driven tools to improve efficiency, expand reach, and make resources more accessible. Whether it’s locating the right book in seconds, recommending reading material tailored to a user’s preferences, or automating cataloguing and indexing, AI is transforming how libraries operate.
Key Benefits of AI in Libraries:
- Personalised Learning: By analysing user behaviour and preferences, AI can suggest resources that match individual needs, making research and study more targeted and effective.
- Faster Information Retrieval: AI-powered search tools can scan vast databases to find relevant documents in seconds.
- Enhanced Cataloguing: Automated indexing enables accurate cross-referencing of topics, saving staff and readers valuable time.
- Research Assistance: AI can summarise lengthy documents, map research trends, and even alert users when new relevant publications become available.
- Virtual Assistants & Chatbots: These tools handle repetitive queries, guide readers through library systems, and free up human staff for more complex tasks.
The Flip Side: Challenges and Cautions
While AI can vastly improve library services, it brings its own set of challenges:
- Algorithmic Bias: AI may unintentionally reflect or amplify biases present in its training data.
- Data Privacy: Protecting user data is critical in the digital age.
- Loss of Human Interaction: Over-automation risks diminishing the personal guidance and mentorship that librarians provide.
- Misinformation Risks: AI can be used to generate false content, threatening the library’s role as a trusted source.
Just as the internet revolution brought both progress and problems — from cybercrime to misinformation — AI too must be handled with awareness and responsibility.
Balancing Technology and Human Values
The future of libraries lies in combining technological innovation with human wisdom. AI can be a powerful ally in making libraries faster, more accessible, and reader-centric. But it cannot replace the human judgment needed to interpret information, verify credibility, and connect knowledge to real-world understanding.
For libraries to fully harness AI, collaboration is essential — between librarians, technologists, policymakers, and the public. Solutions must be developed that align with the core values of libraries: accessibility, inclusivity, and the preservation of knowledge.
In essence, the adoption of AI in libraries is not about replacing the librarian — it’s about empowering them. By integrating AI with the timeless mission of libraries, we can create spaces that not only keep pace with the digital age but also remain rooted in the human touch that makes learning meaningful.
On this National Librarians Day 2025, let us commit to using AI wisely, ensuring that our libraries continue to be not just repositories of information, but living, evolving centres of knowledge, inspiration, and connection.
