Smart Innovations, Systems, and Technologies in University Libraries

Abstract

AbstractThe article deals with the innovative technologies used in modern university libraries in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda, the IFLA Strategy 2019–2024, the essential function of libraries. Examples of library technologies and systems from Germany, the USA, Canada, Russia, Brazil, Serbia, India, China, and Australia are given. The re-engineering of library processes has led to the application of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), DRM (Digital Rights Management), BYOD (bring your own device) and other technologies in libraries. Multimedia digital libraries and their mobile applications with geolocation functions and augmented reality technologies have been created and are in operation. Huge data sets of libraries are deployed on data centres, which are accessed using VPN and VLAN technologies. The Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana (ELK) technology stack is used to analyse digital libraries. Library processes are logically and seamlessly integrated into the teleinformation systems of universities: the Unified Teleinformation System at Perm State University (PSU), OpenAthens at the University of North Carolina manage identification and access to library resources through the university’s authentication service. The article considers the processes of library space organisation in different countries, including “maker” spaces with 3D printers and spaces contributing to the development of entrepreneurship. The results of scientific activities are promoted by libraries through author profiles in web-catalogues, databases and citation systems, retro-cataloguing, digitisation of collections, and the Open Science communication channel. Policies in shaping and providing access to world library resources facilitate international scholarly collaborations. In this article, analogies between the deployment of information technology in the library and information services sector and other industries, including tourism industry, are presented; the need to implement artificial intelligence (AI) technology in library processes is emphasized. In general, effectively used technologies, the latest equipment and qualified personnel make it possible to cope with the challenges and find new points of growth and development. University libraries have a great variety of opportunities to meet Sustainable Development Goals.KeywordsUniversity libraryInnovationDigital technologiesSystemsDRMRFID