International Journal of Librarianship

Indian National Consortia

Neena Singh — 2026-09-29

India is positioning itself as a key contributor to global research efforts. It stands 4^th in research output but falls to 9^th in citation rankings, implying that although the quality of research is impressive its impact and visibility is not reaching to its full potential. India rolls out single subscription scheme across the country called One Nation one subscription (ONOS) to make global research resources more accessible to the underfunded Higher Educational Institutions in the country. This digital platform shall provide access to 13000 journals from thirty International publishers through a unified portal coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET). It is expected that this initiative will bring change in the research ecosystem of the country and bridge the gap between research output and impact of Indian research globally besides advancing the ranking of Indian Institutions. It is also expected to bridge the scholarly divide by making research resources widely accessible to underfunded Institutions specially in smaller urban cities and remote locations of the country.

Emerging Trends In Library And Information Science

Senthur Velmurugan — 2026-09-29

Library and Information Science (LIS) is undergoing significant transformation due to advances in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, open-access initiatives, and changing user expectations. This study explores major LIS research trends from 2015 to 2025 using a mixed-method bibliometric and content analysis approach. Data were collected from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, comprising approximately 850 high-quality research articles. Bibliometric analysis using Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer identified rapid growth in research on AI and machine learning applications, digital libraries and repositories, metadata and linked data, open science, research data management, and user-centered information services. Qualitative analysis highlighted increasing attention to data-driven decision-making, digital preservation, knowledge organization, and ethical information practices. The findings reveal a clear shift from traditional library management to technology-driven, service-oriented, and user-focused models, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and digital literacy development among LIS professionals.

Emerging LibraryTech Skills and the Reconfiguration of Professional Identity in Library and Information Science

Adefunke Ebijuwa — 2026-09-29

Library and Information Science is undergoing a profound transformation driven by digital scholarship, research data management, emerging technologies and changing patterns of researcher behaviour. Researchers increasingly use digital tools throughout the research process for idea generation, literature discovery, synthesis, data analysis and scholarly communication. These developments create new opportunities for libraries, while also raising concerns relating to ethics, transparency, information quality, academic integrity and unequal access.

This article examines how libraries are responding to these changes and argues that traditional models of librarianship centred on information provision are no longer sufficient in an increasingly digital research environment. It contends that the profession stands at a crossroads between maintaining conventional roles and embracing a new identity in which librarians function as digital knowledge strategists and active contributors to research and digital scholarship.

Drawing on recent scholarship, the article identifies the emerging competencies required of contemporary library and information science (LIS) professionals, including digital literacy, prompt design, critical evaluation of machine-generated content, data and algorithmic awareness, research data management, scholarly communication and digital preservation. It further examines the gap between these expectations and the current level of professional preparedness, particularly within Nigeria and other African contexts where infrastructural and educational challenges remain significant.

The article concludes that the future relevance of Library and Information Science depends not simply on the adoption of new technologies, but on sustained reskilling, curricular reform and the development of the human capacities required to support ethical, critical and effective engagement with the changing research environment.

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Institutional Repositories in Promoting Open Access

Emmanuel Omeiza Momoh — 2026-09-29

This study investigates the effectiveness of institutional repositories in promoting open access within the Scottish Universities Press (SUP) consortium, which operates a Diamond Open Access publishing model across twenty member institutions. The study aims to understand how repositories facilitate the visibility, accessibility, and preservation of scholarly outputs while supporting SUP’s mandate for cost-free open access to research. Using a survey method, data was collected from fifteen respondents representing librarians, repository managers, research support staff, and members of the SUP management board, covering fourteen of the twenty member universities.

The results indicate that institutional repositories are widely recognized and used across SUP member institutions, with a predominant focus on facilitating compliance with open access mandates, increasing research visibility, and managing diverse scholarly content. Survey data reveals high levels of daily repository engagement and confirms that repositories are considered effective tools for research dissemination, with most respondents noting improvements in institutional compliance and research visibility.

However, notable challenges persist, including limited integration of SUP-published outputs into institutional repositories, technical and usability barriers, concerns regarding copyright and intellectual property, and a general lack of researcher incentives or recognition.

The study recommended investments in training and outreach, improvements to repository usability, streamlined integration of SUP content, and the introduction of recognition or incentive schemes for researchers as strategies to mitigate the challenges.

Mapping Global OER Trends in Higher Education

Juliana Iwu-James — 2026-09-29

The study examined global trends in the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), with a comparative analysis of Nigeria. The study is a synthesis of 40 global studies on trends in the adoption of OER and 15 studies on the trends in the adoption of OER in Nigeria. The study adopted the PRISMA 2020 approach, which is a systematic approach to the evaluation of the literature, with the process involving the steps of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. The evaluation process adopted the CASP, MMAT, JAB Checklist, and AACODS framework. The study found that globally, there are trends in the awareness, adoption, and infrastructure of OER, while in Nigeria, the challenges are awareness, adoption, digital literacy, and infrastructure. The study recommended that awareness and capacity-building workshops should be conducted among students and faculty; OER policy should be implemented; infrastructure should be put in place for digital resources and the development of OER; open pedagogy should be encouraged to engage students in the development of resources; and research should be conducted on the adoption of OER, student outcomes, and faculty engagement.

Nigerian Library and Information Science Curriculum Modification

Adeyinka Tella — 2026-09-29

The evolving digital landscape and the rise in cyber threats necessitate a strategic reassessment of the Nigerian Library and Information Science (LIS) curriculum. This study employs a narrative literature review methodology to explore the imperative of integrating cybersecurity education into LIS programs in Nigeria. The review synthesizes relevant academic and grey literature to identify existing gaps in LIS curricula, assess international trends, and highlight competencies required by modern information professionals in safeguarding digital assets. Findings indicate that current LIS training in Nigeria largely overlooks cybersecurity, despite increasing digitization of library services and data-driven operations. The review underscores the need to equip LIS graduates with fundamental cybersecurity knowledge, including data protection, digital ethics, cyber hygiene, and information assurance. It also reveals global best practices where LIS schools have successfully embedded cybersecurity modules into core programs. The study concludes by recommending collaborative efforts among academic institutions, policymakers, and professional bodies to reform LIS education in Nigeria, ensuring relevance in a technology-centric world. Integrating cybersecurity into LIS curricula will not only enhance graduates’ employability but also strengthen the resilience and credibility of information institutions in Nigeria.

Editorial: September 2026 Issue

Yongming Wang — 2026-09-29

Book Review of Archiving Machines: From Punch Cards to Platform

Timothy Provenzano — 2026-09-29

This article reviews the recent title "Archiving Machines: From Punch Chards to Platforms" by Amelia Acker. This book traces the advent of our current information environment of networked, de-localized data through the evolution of the machines that hold data. The review gives an overview of each chapter of the book, covering topics such as the failed attempt by the United States to create a National Data Center in the 1960s, and how the modern personal computing revolution that begin in the 1980s changed consumers' expectations of data mobility. The negative impacts of our modern data environment is also probed and evaluated, and the book is found to be of high interest both to the general public and students of the history of data and archives.

Keeping Humans in the Loop

Jane Jiang — 2026-09-29

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education has accelerated across teaching, research support, academic services, and administrative functions, with academic libraries emerging as important sites of implementation. While existing literature often emphasizes efficiency, automation, and scalability, this paper argues that the effectiveness of AI systems in academic environments depends on sustained human oversight and professional judgement. Drawing on examples of AI use in library instruction, chatbot-based reference services, and classroom-based learning activities, this paper demonstrates that AI systems do not independently produce reliable knowledge or services without human evaluation, correction, and interpretation. Across these cases, librarians, instructors, and academic staff play essential roles in maintaining system accuracy, supporting responsible use, and preserving educational integrity. The analysis positions human intervention not as an additional safeguard but as a fundamental component of effective AI implementation in higher education. This human-centered perspective highlights the continuing importance of professional expertise, ethical governance, and human agency in the design and management of AI-supported academic environments.