Internet of things adoption and use in academic libraries: A review and directions for future research

Abstract

This study aims to synthesise the findings of research on Internet of Things (IoTs) adoption and use in libraries. This systematic literature review is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method and comprises publications in the five world-renowned databases. The libraries adopted IoTs for saving time, enhance performance and efficiency, improve the quality of services, and ease in collection accessibility. This study identified various IoTs-based practices including auto-notification of circulation tasks, inventory management, tracing users’ data from virtual/physical card, user tracking and self-guided virtual tour of library. To adopt and use IoTs, libraries faced several challenges such as security and privacy, cost, lack of standards and policy, require highly integrated environment, and lack of management interest. The critical IoTs adoption and usage factors as well as various challenges identified would provide valuable insights to library professionals to design state-of-the-art smart technologies drive services.