Robots are coming to the libraries: are librarians ready to accommodate them?

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine the coming of robots to libraries and the readiness of their hosts who are the librarians in welcoming and accommodating them. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual and review analysis of documents was adopted to determine the types of robots used in libraries along with their duties, the librarians’ readiness and the likes. Findings There is the fear that the coming of robots to libraries is to take the librarians job; contrarily the arrival of robots to the library is not to replace the librarians but rather to complement their efforts. Originality/value The paper is the original idea by the authors, and it is to get the librarians with limited skills in libraries prepared for up-skilling if they do not want to be replaced by the robots.