Prelims

Half Title

Examining the Impact of Industry 4.0 on Academic Libraries

Title Page

Examining the Impact of Industry 4.0 on Academic Libraries

JOSILINE PHIRI CHIGWADA

Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe

NGOZI MARIA NWAOHIRI

Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2021

Copyright © 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

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ISBN: 978-1-80043-657-2 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-80043-656-5 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-80043-658-9 (Epub)

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my beloved husband Isaya Chigwada who is also dealing with the effects of the industry 4.0 at his work place, my son Nathaniel Takudzwa Chigwada whose wish is to be an engineer, and my daughter Joanna Thandaza Chigwada who wants to be a doctor. These people have been my pillar of strength and give me the zeal to write academic articles for publication.

Josiline Phiri Chigwada, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe

I dedicate this book to Udodiri, my loving husband and our children Chijindu, Ucheomachi and Jachimma Nwaohiri with heartfelt thanks for their loving support and constant inspiration.

Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

List of Abbreviations

List of Contributors

• Nneka Chinaemerem Agim, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

• Chidimma Agunwamba, Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nigeria

• Josiline Phiri Chigwada, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe

• Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita, Department of Information Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa

• Egbert de Smet, University of Antwerp, Belgium

• Mercy Ekenma Echem, Department of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria

• Viviana Fernández-Marcial, University of A Coruña, Spain

• Llarina González-Solar, University of A Coruña, Spain; General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, Belgium

• Shahajada Masud Anowarul Haque, Ayesha Abed Library, Brac University, Bangladesh

• Thembelihle Hwalima, Gwanda State University Library, Gwanda State University, Zimbabwe

• Md. Nazmul Islam, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

• Md. Nurul Islam, School of Information Management, Nanjing University, China

• Anna Kaushik, University of Kota, India

• Nqobulwazi Khanye, Lupane State University Library, Lupane State University, Zimbabwe

• Ebisemen Patience Lulu-Pokubo, Department of Library and Information Science, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Nigeria

• Rosemary Maturure, Africa University Library, Africa University, Zimbabwe

• Grace Msauki, Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis Research Unit, Zimbabwe

• Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri, University Library, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

• Moses C. Nwosu, Department of Library and Information Science, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Nigeria

• Austin Tonderai Nyakurerwa, Midlands State University Library, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

• Comfort N. Owate, Donald Ekong Library, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

• Shweta Pandey, LNM Institute of Information Technology, India

• Pauline Iroeze, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria

• Donald Rakemane, Office of District Commissioner, Botswana

• Stephen Tsekea, Bindura University of Science Education Library, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe

• Janet Onomeh Ubogu, Delta State University Library, Delta State University, Nigeria

• Delight Promise Udochukwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria Nigeria

Foreword

History has it that industrial revolutions have had tolls or impact on organisations and most of the time very catastrophic. Libraries whether big or small have also experienced the impact of industrial revolution at one time or the other. This book entitled Examining the Impact of Industry 4.0 on Libraries is a well-articulated attempt to capture the impact of the Industrial Revolution on libraries generally. There is no doubt that industrial revolutions have in one way or the other affected library functions, services or even the activities.

The publication of this book is very auspicious and timely considering the paucity of books in librarianship particularly the one that delved into this ugly experience on librarianship. The efforts expanded on the production of this book by these seasoned library scholars assembled around the globe is highly commended.

The book is divided into six sections each with corresponding chapter. Section one deals with “The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Libraries.” This section has three chapters, namely:

1. Introduction to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Libraries

2. The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Libraries

3. Library 4.0 and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities.

Section two which is entitled “Redesigning Library Space” has five chapters, namely:

1. Understanding the Information User in the Electronic Age

2. Application of Industry 4.0 in Delivering Library Services to Special Need Library Users

3. Compatibility Analysis of Virtual Reference Services in ABCD Software-based Website

4. Packaging and Repackaging of Information Products and Services for Effective Service Delivery

5. The Role of Librarian in the Twenty-first Century.

Section three entitled “Research Support Services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” covers two chapters, namely:

1. Academic Library Research Support Services in the Maker Culture Era

2. Research Support Services in Academic Libraries in the Digital Environment in Zimbabwe.

Section four is broadly entitled “Quality Assurance of Library and Information Services” has two chapters, namely:

1. Quality Assurance of Library and Information Services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

2. Quality Assurance and Marketing of Library Services and Products: The Case of Midlands State University.

Section five is entitled “Marketing of Library and Information Services” has two chapters, namely:

1. Marketing of Library Collections and Services in the Twenty-first Century Environment: The Use of Social Media Technologies

2. Do Libraries Need to Market Their Services and Resources?

Section six which is the last section is entitled “Capacity Building of Librarians in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” and it has two chapters, namely:

1. Capacity Building for Library and Information Science Professionals in University Libraries

2. Reskilling the Library Workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The writers assembled different countries of the world here in their respective chapter presentations rolled out well researched papers for the benefit of librarians, educators, students of library and information science and the general public. I have no reservation in recommending this enviable text for all seekers of knowledge in librarianship and other related disciplines around the globe.

Dr Basil Onyeoziri Edom – Associate Professor of Library and Information Science

Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

April, 2020

Preface

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) also known as the industry 4.0 is defined as the bringing together of economies, scale and economies of scope to produce new technologies, which will in turn adopt the use of computers, Internet of Things (IoTs) and cloud computing to monitor production processes (Postelnicu, & Calea 2019). It is changing how people live, work and communicate and many trades have been highly affected by the 4IR, libraries included.

This technological revolution called the 4IR is changing industries and the jobs within them and is described as a journey that industrial companies are taking towards a complete value chain transformation. Introducing connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning into the workplace has meant that employers no longer rely on their teams having a static set of skills, but instead, requires adaptable, digitally-minded workers that are committed to lifelong learning. This book therefore X-rays the ways and to what extent computers, IoTs, social media, artificial intelligence, data mining, robotics and machine learning has affected information acquisition, packaging, storage, and delivery. It would be sufficient to say that the above-mentioned technologies are just emerging and as such require up-to-date knowledge and skills fit for their use, as this will without doubt bring about enhanced information service delivery even to remote areas regardless of time and geographical location.

An informed society is healthy, knowledgeable and a literate society. Information and research findings are the hubs around which institutions, organizations and industries revolve for their existence and competitive advantage. Twenty-first century libraries must employ the main areas of Industry 4.0 such as IoT, artificial intelligence, big data and computers in information products, services and marketing which are in turn given out to institutions, organizations and industries for health services and economic growth. Hence, Hang, Thuy, & Tam (2018) report that

the industry 4.0 is breaking the structure of almost every industry, foreshadowing the transformation of the entire production, management system and training. The industry 4.0 will be the foundation for a dramatic transition from a resource-based, low-cost to knowledgebase economy.

So long as universities and academic institutions are striving to boost their research and academic productivity through the development and implementation of digital technologies in research, teaching and learning, the issue of reskilling and upskilling of these library staff cannot be over emphasized. Thus, Ntlotlang (2019) and Cardwell (2009) advised that libraries should conduct library staff skills audit exercise in order to identify each individual’s strength, ability and skills gap so as to have in-depth understanding of library staff competencies in regarding of their role of the demands brought about by technological revolution.

The book comprises 16 chapters which serve as guide and information resource to library and information professionals. Library managers, heads of institutions and government policy makers can also benefit from the contents of the book to make available adequate funds and resources that will bring about technological revolution in libraries and the reskilling and upskilling of these information service providers who will make use of these technologies.

Introduction

Examining the impact of industry 4.0 on academic libraries is a book that showcases the emerging issues in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The industry 4.0 era has affected all types of organisations and libraries were not spared in the process. This book provides answers to questions on how academic libraries can adapt to the emerging technologies so as to remain relevant in the institutions of higher learning where they are regarded as the hub of learning, teaching and research. Academic librarians should understand the new services and products that were brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is also regarded as 4IR or industry 4.0. Therefore, this book documents original research on the issues, opportunities, challenges and the effects of industry 4.0 on academic libraries.

The target audience of this book are professionals, librarians, students, lecturers and researchers working in the field of library and information science, archives and records management, communication sciences, education, and information technology. The publication documents the changes that are taking place in the 4IR and what librarians should do to move along with those changes. The book summarizes the emerging trends and contemporary issues in academic librarianship. The impact of the book would be in providing reference information to students in the library and information science (LIS) schools in institutions of higher learning with the information sources required to gain knowledge and skills of twenty-first century librarianship. Lecturers would also benefit since they would have a reference source in contemporary issues in LIS. Academic librarians would gain the skills and knowledge that are required in offering services in the 4IR.

The areas that are covered in the book include the 4IR and libraries, redesigning library spaces such maker space, learning commons, research commons, etc., reference services in the 4IR, electronic information services in the 4IR, research support services, information seeking behaviour in the 4IR, marketing of library services in the 4IR, and capacity building in the 4IR.

The editors of the book wish you well and hope that you will enjoy the book as you come to terms with the impact of the 4IR on academic libraries and how you can enhance your competencies and skills to continue offering relevant services.

Acknowledgements

The editors would like to acknowledge the assistance rendered by all those who took part in this project. The authors and reviewers that took part in the review process did a wonderful job. Without their support, this book would not have become a reality.

First, the editors would like to thank each one of the authors for their contributions. Our sincere gratitude goes to the chapter’s authors who contributed their time and expertise to this book.

Second, the editors wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the reviewers regarding the improvement of quality, coherence, and content presentation of chapters. Most of the authors also served as referees; we highly appreciate their double task.

Josiline Phiri Chigwada

Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe

Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri

Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria