Preparing for the future: metaverse readiness among library professionals in Pakistan

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the readiness of library professionals in Pakistan for metaverse technology adoption. It assesses their familiarity with the metaverse, identifies potential applications within libraries, pinpoints skill gaps, and unravels challenges hindering integration.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a quantitative survey design, a survey was conducted from November 15, 2023, to December 15, 2023, targeting library professionals in Pakistan. The survey gathered data on familiarity with the metaverse, perceived applications in libraries, self-assessed proficiency in metaverse-related skills, and perceived challenges to metaverse adoption.FindingsLibrary professionals in Pakistan exhibit moderate familiarity with the metaverse, demonstrating higher proficiency in certain aspects such as virtual reality and digital assets but a lesser understanding of legal/regulatory challenges and societal impacts. Perceived highly impactful applications in libraries include virtual meetups, immersive learning programs, collaborative research spaces, and virtual librarian-led tutorials. Challenges hindering metaverse adoption include budget constraints, limited technical expertise, concerns about privacy/security, and resistance to change.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s limitations include the sample size and the specific data collection timeframe, which might limit generalizability. The findings offer implications for training programs, resource allocation, and policy formulation to facilitate metaverse integration in Pakistani libraries.Originality/valueThis study contributes original insights into the metaverse readiness of library professionals in Pakistan, offering a comprehensive analysis of their familiarity, perceived applications, skill gaps, and challenges, enabling tailored strategies for metaverse integration in library services.