AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF LIBRARIANS TOWARD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

University libraries are expected to provide fast, accurate, and technology-driven information services to support students, researchers, and academic staff. Although artificial intelligence (AI) tools can enhance cataloguing, reference services, and information retrieval, service delivery in many university libraries in Taraba State remains predominantly manual. Preliminary observations also indicate gaps in librarians’ awareness and attitudes toward AI, yet the extent to which these factors influence service delivery is unclear. This study examined librarians’ awareness and attitudes toward AI tools and their effect on information service delivery in university libraries in Taraba State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 122 librarians from Federal University Wukari (FUW), Taraba State University (TSU) Jalingo, and Kwararafa University Wukari (KUW). Data from 117 valid questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA at the 0.05 significance level. Results showed a high level of AI awareness among librarians (overall mean = 4.19), with KUW exhibiting the highest consistency, followed by TSU and FUW. Attitudes toward AI were also strongly positive across all institutions (overall mean = 4.41). ANOVA revealed significant institutional differences in awareness (p = .000 < .05) and attitudes (p = .002 < .05), attributed to variations in training, exposure, and institutional support. The study concludes that librarians’ AI awareness and attitudes significantly shape the efficiency and quality of information service delivery. It recommends targeted AI training programmes, enhanced institutional support, and clear policy frameworks to strengthen AI adoption in university libraries in Taraba State.