Artificial Intelligence-Based Services in Traditional Libraries: Information Discovery and Access among Library Patrons at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State

Abstract

Abstract. Traditional libraries that fail to integrate modern information and communication technologies often experience declining user engagement. With the increasing availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, libraries are under greater pressure to modernize their services to enhance information discovery and access. This study examined the level of user discovery and information access at the University of Maiduguri Library, the extent of AI-driven service implementation, and the relationship between the two variables. A descriptive survey research design was employed. Data were collected from 355 active library users drawn from a target population of 7,350 using a structured questionnaire developed with the aid of the Raosoft Sample Size Calculator. The 52-item questionnaire was validated and subjected to a pilot study, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.847 using Cronbach's alpha. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that user discovery and information access were moderately high (X = 3.40, SD = 0.89), while the level of AI-driven service implementation was low (X̅ = 2.68, SD = 0.91). The analysis further showed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship between AI-driven service implementation and user discovery and information access (r = 0.432, p < 0.001). The study concludes that improvements in AI-driven service implementation may enhance users' ability to discover and access information resources in academic libraries. It recommends increased investment in AI-enabled library services and the provision of structured user training to improve the effective utilization of these technologies.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Library Services, User Discovery, Information Access, Academic Libraries, Nigeria