The Ghana Library Association (GLA) has held its biennial congress and annual general meeting with a call on members to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve service delivery.

The congress, which was held in Kumasi under the theme, “Navigating the Digital Frontier: AI and the Future of Libraries,” focused on the need for libraries to increasingly adopt AI tools to enhance operations, improve user experience, and facilitate processes.

Prof. Isaac Boateng, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), emphasised that libraries are not merely collections of books, but dynamic communities that foster innovation, creativity, and learning.

He said navigating this digital frontier must be strategic and thoughtfully rooted in the foundational principles of libraries.

He encouraged librarians to learn to utilise AI in their field to enhance the learning experience of patrons.

“AI can help libraries better understand their patrons’ needs and preferences, allowing for more tailored services and programmes. This could involve chatbots for immediate assistance or data analytics to track usage patterns,” he noted.

Prof. Boateng said navigating the digital frontier signified the proactive approach libraries must take to adapt to technological advancements, ensuring they remain relevant and valuable resources in an increasingly digital world.

He noted that AI could serve as a partner for libraries in their work, indicating that as information became more accessible online, libraries might shift from being traditional repositories of books to dynamic community hubs that offer digital resources, learning opportunities, and technology access.

He urged librarians to actively engage in this process and advance their skills in their respective fields.

Professor Jerry John Kponyok, Dean of the Quality Assurance and Planning Office at KNUST, advised that the use of AI should be approached responsibly to ensure it serves as a positive tool that enhances activities in the education sector.

He cautioned librarians not to rely solely on AI but to blend it with traditional methods to avoid potential pitfalls.

“If we are migrating our libraries to the digital space, then we must create an environment that facilitates access to information in this digital realm,” he suggested.

He called on those in positions of authority to support this transition by improving infrastructure and providing tools such as data to make the use of AI easier and more effective in libraries.

He encouraged librarians to learn how to use AI and emphasised the importance of training to prevent digital illiteracy among library staff.

Prof. Leonard Amelcudzi, Provost of the College of Science at KNUST, explained that the digital frontier involving AI would enhance library activities, benefiting diverse communities of learners and researchers. He said libraries could play a crucial role in promoting digital literacy, helping patrons navigate the vast amount of information available online, and teaching them how to effectively use AI tools.

He further elaborated that the integration of AI in libraries raised important questions about privacy, data security, and ethical technology use.

Libraries must, therefore, navigate these challenges while maintaining their commitment to intellectual freedom and access to information.

Libraries, according to Prof. Amelcudzi, are not only custodians of books and information but also navigators of the digital landscape.

He said the incorporation of AI in library services would help modernise their offerings and better serve their communities.