AWARENESS, ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KEBBI STATE

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify the awareness, availability, and use of Artificial

Intelligence (AI) technologies among Academic librarians in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A

quantitative survey design was employed to select 100 librarians drawn from university

libraries including Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Federal

University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University of Agriculture Zuru and Rayhan University Birnin

Kebbi from a randomly sample of four purposively chosen university libraries A structured

questionnaire will be used as the research instrument, its validity was ensured through expert

review for content validity and a pilot test of 10 respondents for face validity. Results indicate

low awareness levels of AI in general, lack of access to AI tools, and low use of AI technologies

for library services. Job loss, inadequate training, substandard infrastructure, and insufficient

funding were some of the challenges highlighted Despite these constraints, respondents

acknowledge the capability of AI to revolutionize library services and user satisfaction. In view

of the above findings the study therefore recommends special capacity-building initiatives,

increased investment in AI infrastructure, and development of enabling policies to facilitate the

application of AI in academic libraries. These initiatives are aimed at making Kebbi State

libraries align with international technological progress and meet evolving user needs in the

information age.