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Future Prospects of Robotics and AI in Libraries
Tuhin Ahmad Shubha
Ex-M.Lib.Sc. Student, Department of Library and Information
Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (UP)- 202 002
Email: ahmadtuhin1997@gmail.com
Abstract
Robots are beneficial and useful in a library setting. The paper focuses
on how changes in the technological landscape, including the rise of AI
robots, have affected libraries. Additionally, it discusses how robotics
is used in various libraries for a variety of tasks, as well as the potential
uses of robotics in libraries in the future. The study also looked at the
challenges that libraries are having bringing robotics into use. The study
makes the case that introducing robotics into library settings will
enhance operations and surveillance for good. It signifies the pressing
need for the adoption of technology, with special emphasis on AI and
robotics in libraries.
Keyw ords: Robot s, Robot ic s libraries , Artificial Intelligence,
Application of robotics.
1. Introduction
The concept of robotics is not new though it has evolved in recent
times, it traces its origin dated back in ancient times. The idea of making
those machines or devices that effectively does human work or substitutes
human labor was old but gained popularity and acceptance with the evolution
of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big
data, etc.. In other words these technologies flourished the success of
Robots. While the origin of industrial robotics can be traced back to middle
of 20th century (Gasparetto & Scalera, 2019).Initially robots were used for
industrial operations, but robotics is now finding applications in a wide range
of sectors. Notably, the modern robotics has evolved in last two decades. It
has now being used across the fields such as industrial robots which are
being used in industrial environment, Medical robots which are primarily
being used in the surgery, Military robots in armed forces, Space robots in
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space operations and the most popular Humanoid robots which resemble
humans (Dilip Yadav & Bundele, 2021).
As robots are in wide use across the fields hence its use in modern
libraries is not an exception. Libraries are using robotics technology is now
no more a news. With the aid of Artificial intelligence and machine learning
robots have became more effective and well equipped to in performing the
different activities of libraries. Many libraries across the world are using
humanoid robots to serve the different library operation. Tella emphasized
the use of robots in libraries around the world. Science Technology
Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education programs are being given
access by different libraries concerned to robots.Chicago Public Library,
University of Rhode Island Library are examples of libraries that are hosting
different robots related programs(Tella, 2020).With exponential growth of
literature the consumption rate has also increased and to get access to the
required knowledge libraries are the major conduits. With the emergence
of computer technology particularly AI enabled humanoid robots has
triggered a significant revolution in the structure and dynamics of information
and knowledge (El Kadiri et al., 2016). The potential of AI enabled robots
has been increased as a result of convergence of technologies such as big
data, greater computing power, deep learning etc. (Pratt, 2015).
2. Review Literature
2.1. Robots in library operations
To keep track of the arrangement of the library’s book shelves, a
robot has been designed. The robot gets the book number as input and
compares it internally with the RFID number to obtain the information. It
then sends a notification to the shelf unit, and the relevant shelf tray will
deposit the book into the robot’s basket. This streamlines the procedure
and saves time, which lessens the need for manual involvement from the
library personnel (Unnikrishnan et al., 2017). Suthakorn et al. carried out
Comprehensive Access to Printed Materials (CAPM), a robotics project in
the context of libraries, Modern libraries continue to purchase a lot of printed
material even as they offer digital library services and resources. As a
result, many libraries, particularly academic research libraries, suffered
serious space problems. As a result, to hold printed books, many libraries
have constructed or intend to construct off-site shelving facilities. A mobile
robotic library system that can pick up items from shelves and transport
them to scanning stations to enable real-time browsing of printed materials,
this process will eventually be triggered by remote users using a web
interface (Suthakorn et al., 2006).In order to build robotic assistance, Lin
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et al. used a design-based approach to understand how children locate
books. They recognized book location as a crucial activity in the library
setting. This study described the repeated processes and methods needed
to create a robot that can assist library users in finding resources. Staff
members at the library, including child patrons, were queried about their
requirements and needs. Required things were incorporated into the robot’s
system after the analysis of needs. The study’s findings suggest that the
library robot was effective as a mobile, humanoid service agent for
navigating child clients towards resources(Lin et al., 2014). Books that are
misplaced or out of order can be located on the shelves using shelf-reading
robots. Robots can independently scan and identify the book by detecting
the RFID tag in the book once the library is closed. Misplaced books
constitute about 5 percent of the collection, for which shelf-reading robots
employ a self-localization algorithm to examine the digital data acquired
against the inventory database. Most notably, it deals with the common
patron issue of having trouble finding a book in the library (Hearn et al.,
2021). Chingath and Babu H also examined the impact of AI-enabled robots
and how to implement them in a library setting. This study discussed how
several libraries, such as the New York Public Library, Temasek Polytechnic
Library, UMKC Library, University of Chicago Library, etc., used artificially
intelligent robots and how it was effective for them. They also discussed
the various library tasks that can be performed by robots, including book
arrangement, sorting, retrieval, inventory, handling of materials, etc.
Additionally, they stressed that it is still in its very early stages in India and
will develop over time. The implications of robots in the library setting are
thus examined in this study for an array of operations (Chingath & Babu,
2019).
2.2. Constraints to the adoption of robotics
In order to analyze the tasks that have been robotized in a library
and examine current technological and cultural constraints that can lower
the adoption rates of robots in a library, Vlachos et al. examined recent
literature through Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and LISTA
databases, along with Google searches. Articles written in English in the
period of 2016–2018 mentioning the use of robots in libraries were considered.
After going through 1037 articles, 18 were selected for analysis, and it was
found that robots are being used as navigators, for book locating or
placement, as information desks, and for education. The cost of organizational
restructuring as well as the lack of resources for maintenance was found
to be the primary barriers to the adoption of robotics (Povl, 2020). Phillips,
in his study investigated how automation of human labor might affect future
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library services and library work, with an emphasis on recent advancements
in robotics and AI. The findings revealed that there is broad agreement that
automation is seen positively when it frees humans from tedious or unwanted
tasks. In addition, there are also legitimate concerns that there won’t be
enough new jobs to make up for any job losses that will take place. The
notion that robots and AI will never be able to provide the essential “human
touch” and emotion that many people consider a required component of
many sorts of employment is also frequently stated; these ideas are
undoubtedly pertinent with respect to libraries and library work. In the
context of a library, there is a concern that not all tasks could be automated
and that some work should not be freed from human touch (Phillips &
Robinson, 2017). Raghvaiah and Sreekanth examined the feasibility of robots
in academic libraries and the preparedness of library professionals to adopt
them. They reviewed the existing literature to explore the use of robots in
libraries and their applications. It was found that there is a concern that the
arrival of robots in library settings may take the librarian’s job, although it is
intended to enhance theirs. This paper aims at librarians to acquire the
needed skills and welcome robots in libraries for the sake of the libraries
prospering (Raghvaiah & Sreekanth, 2023).
2.3. Future prospects of robotics and AI in libraries
Due to its potential in this digital age to revolutionize library
professionals, the application of AI and robotics in libraries has become a
focus of study. Five ALIA-accredited courses’ curriculum as well as the
Australian ALIA Foundation Knowledge documentation were examined
by Tait and Pierson. Following a content analysis, it was found that no
subjects indicate robotics, and only one subject uses AI to organise subject
content. Additionally, the framing of topics like digital technology, data, and
information ethics was examined; the results show that these topics can be
included in a variety of contexts. The article makes the case that in order to
satisfy future skill demands, some sort of incorporation of these topics into
LIS professional education will be required (Tait & Pierson, 2022). Nguyen
also looked into the effects of the appearance of humanoid robots in
Australian public libraries. From the perspective of users and librarians,
this study investigated the effects of these robots. The interactions between
patrons and robots at five different libraries were observed, and 10 librarians
who were involved in the design and operation of robots were interviewed.
It was discovered through thematic analysis that humanoid robots can be
viewed as community builders, teachers, aides, and challengers (Nguyen,
2020).
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3. Robotics in context of International Libraries
In terms of technological advancements, libraries have changed to
reflect the digital age. The advancement of technology has improved libraries
in various ways. From the book storehouse, libraries have come a long
way. Robots, which are no longer a novel idea, not only affected other
industries but also positively benefited libraries. Today, libraries use intelligent
AI-enabled robots for a number of library activities.
By and large, chatbots, telepresence robots, and humanoid robots
are being used in libraries across the world. Robots carry out all library
operations, from the most basic to the most complex. For instance, humanoid
robots are used by the University of Pretoria Libraries in South Africa to
welcome and direct patrons (Kim, 2019). With the advancement of artificial
intelligence, humanoid robots have come a long way. Libraries are now
using them to organise misplaced items on shelves and assist with simple
reference services (Blut et al., 2021).
While telepresence essentially serves as an interface between a
librarian and a client to connect the two for various queries. This new
technology will improve library services and increase library accessibility.
Libraries use guide robots to assist patrons. It primarily serves as a guiding
robot and is situated near the library’s entrance. It displays the library floor
plans and a usage guide as a result of consultation with users. In addition to
this, libraries are using help desk robots to provide help desk services
(Takashi, 2019). The library at the University of Chicago introduced a robotic
book stacking system that holds books in such a way that automated
operations can be performed through it. When a user requests a book for
issue, the robotic system gets the information through the online catalogue,
pulls the book bin from the stack area, picks the right bin, and brings it to
the circulation desk. The librarian gets a notification on the computer screen
and identifies the book requested. Similarly, at the time of return, the librarian
requests a bin and places the returned book in the right compartment, then
processes the function to place the bin back in its place (Kalee, 2012).
In addition, these robots provide a variety of functions in libraries.
Robotics and artificial intelligence could be used in libraries and their many
operations, such as:
A system might be created with an extensive knowledge base that
can store all the data about libraries and their users. In light of this, it may
be suggested that Selection Advisor and Monograph Selection Advisor
(MSA) are two of the best examples. Robotic intervention could be used to
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streamline and shorten the cataloguing and classification processes. Robots
with AI capabilities that are configured with keywords and can capture
pertinent documents may also be used for abstracting and indexing
(Folorunsho et al., 2020).
Robots are used in libraries for a variety of tasks, including book
arrangement, shelving, answering queries, directing clients to the documents
they need, locating and handling books, inventory operations, document
retrieval, transporting articles, acting as subject guides, attending reference
questions, controlling circulation workflow and even issue-return of
materials.
4. Challenges for implementing robotics in libraries
Robotics implementation has many advantages and will improve
and support libraries in offering distinctive services, carrying out operations,
and attracting clients, but it hasn’t advanced much in the context of Indian
libraries. Very few libraries use robotics to carry out some tasks related to
the library. With technological advances, libraries will catch up and adapt,
bringing robots into library settings for the benefit of libraries. However,
there are some challenges that will make it difficult for libraries to implement
all of these, such as:
1. There is a lack of funding from which libraries world-wide are
suffering; thus, the financial assistance that libraries are getting
might not be sufficient for libraries to take up robotics and associated
infrastructure.
2. There is a concern that with the introduction of robotics in libraries,
there might be a loss of jobs.
3. There is also a lack of technical expertise or skills needed for
maintenance or operation of robots, as well as a lack of user literacy
of technologies.
5. Conclusion
This paper looked into the literature that discusses robotics use in
libraries and the roles that robots perform in various libraries. The author
looked at current robotics usage in library operations as well as its potential
for the future and the challenges to implementing it. However, with
technological advances, it is undeniable that the current trend and libraries’
standpoint are favourable with regard to the implementation of robots in
libraries.
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