Integration of Emerging Technologies by Academic Libraries: A Literature Review

The purpose of this paper was to identify and analyse literature regarding the use of emerging technologies in academic libraries. This paper provides some insights on the new technologies emerging in the current information society and on how libraries are responding to satisfy patron needs through diversely innovative library services. The study adopted a systematic literature review method to search, select and evaluate pertinent papers from a range of databases and journals. This literature review offers supporting evidence to illustrate how academic libraries are adopting and integrating emerging technologies to enhance and support active teaching and research. The paper analysed current trends and emerging technologies in academic libraries, strategies employed by libraries, benefits and challenges; it also looked at the ethical considerations in implementing new technologies, the future of libraries with regards to technology and further highlighted some recommendations from the literature. The review is unique since it assessed various aspects of technologies used in academic libraries. Since the number of papers on this topic is steadily increasing, this work can also serve as a point of reference for further studies.