Adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Library Collection Development: The role of librarian skills and digital infrastructure

This article discusses a research that was aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of librarians’ degrees, availability of digital infrastructure, and efficiency of library collection building processes in relation to machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). With a standardized survey instrument and a sample of 400 librarians, data was collected systematically for this quantitative research. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS), the research established a high positive relationship between librarian skills, digital infrastructure availability, and ML as well as AI adoption. It was also established that AI and ML not only served as a mediator between infrastructure and efficiency, but also highly enhanced data production and collection efficiency. Embedding ML and AI in current library services properly identifies the joint value of human ability and technological readiness.