Academic Libraries in IOT era: Moving towards smart cities

Abstract

Over the years, libraries across the globe have been using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for effective library service delivery which has now brought about the use of more dynamic global technologies that could enable users to be served with or without human intervention like the internet of everything popularly known as Internet if Things (IoTs). IoT is about enabling objects to collect data and transfer them over a network without human intervention with the help of: Internet, Sensors and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) in accordance with the ways it is being used by other services oriented organizations such as: insurance companies, hospitals, schools, restaurants, filling stations where various innovative solutions are deployed. This paper reviewed relevant literature on IoTs; discussed its application in customer service oriented organizations of which libraries are not exempted; identified its merits and demerits; and recommended future challenges and proffered solutions to the identified challenges. The paper concluded by encouraging libraries in developing countries Nigeria in particular to automate their resources and formulate policies that will fast track the full adoption of the IoT otherwise the use of IoT in Nigerian libraries may be more of a mirage; the authors recommended that security of users’ data while sharing data with third party must be squarely addressed; all academic libraries must ascertain the cost implication of starting; implementing and sustaining IoT in their organizations; staff training should be organized on a regular basis; there must be stable power supply in all academic libraries and the government at all levels must support the efforts of the libraries to facilitate their journey towards having the desired smart libraries in the country.