Authors:
Muhammad Kabir Khan, Rizwana Amin, Adnan Ullah, Nusrat Ali
Addresses:
Department of Effat Library and Cultural Museum, Effat University (EU), Jeddah, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia. Department of Information Services, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Department of Information Management, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
Abstract:
This study examines Pakistani university librarians' readiness for Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and the Metaverse, focusing on their awareness, competence, interest, and perceptions of these emerging technologies in Library and Information Services. Using a quantitative survey design, this study collected data from 96 Pakistani university librarians via a validated questionnaire distributed via email, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. The survey encompassed demographic information, an assessment of awareness and competence in AR, VR, and the Metaverse, and an exploration of interest and engagement with these emerging technologies in Library Science. The surveyed librarians showcase diverse demographics, with a majority of male respondents (61.5%), a significant representation of experienced professionals (43.8% with over 15 years of experience), and a highly educated sample (100% with at least a master’s degree). The findings of this study suggest that Pakistani university librarians are generally aware of AR, VR, and the metaverse but have limited practical experience with these technologies. Moreover, most respondents expressed a strong interest in learning more about emerging technologies and exploring their potential applications in library and information science.
Keywords: Augmented Reality; University Librarians; Practical Experience; Virtual Reality; Metaverse Technology; Digital Transformation; Emerging Technology; Information Services.
Received: 06/09/2024, Revised: 28/11/2024, Accepted: 20/01/2025, Published: 05/06/2025
DOI: 10.64091/ATISL.2025.000193
AVE Trends in Intelligent Social Letters, 2025 Vol. 2 No. 2 , Pages: 81-90