Digital transformation of academic libraries: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

The times are changing. With Internet access and electronic reading devices, visiting the library is no longer a necessity for today’s students. The library has changed a great deal over the past decade, due to changing demands from researchers, teachers, and learners and the onset of a digital revolution of library holdings. Digital transformation is powered by disruptive digital technologies, insights, and processes. The key focus of digital transformation is on transforming for the digital age by influencing customer experience, innovation, and efficiency. The big challenge with digital transformation is ‘how fast and how far should organizations go on their digital transformation path’. Digital transformation journey is complicated and involves varied objectives, complexities, and covers a vast area. It requires a coherent and well-organized digital strategy to effectively address technology and process transformation together with supporting governance and delivery models.   Keywords: Digital age, Academic libraries, Transformation, Digital transformation.