Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study examines the importance of Internet of Things (IoT) as perceived by Indian library professionals working in Institutes of National Importance (INIs). It aims to assess their current awareness, perceived importance of IoT in various library activities and services along with limitations and initiatives required to integrate new technologies. A quantitative survey was conducted with library professionals from 18 INIs located in South India, from where 146 valid responses were received out of 153 questionnaires distributed. The survey achieved a response rate of 95.42% with data collected via physical questionnaires and Google Forms. Descriptive and non-parametric statistical tests were used to draw the inferences. IoT awareness was high (92.5%), with 78.5% reporting implementation. Essential services such as self-transactions, surveillance, and shelf management showed strong perceptions to adopt IoT (M ≥4.55), while advanced tools like drones and robotics remained limited (M ≤2.20). Benefits, including accuracy, service quality and time efficiency, were widely endorsed. Major barriers included high cost and technical skill gaps. Statistically significant differences were not observed (p > .05) majorly across gender, institutional types, and management levels. High support was noted for training, collaboration, and incentive systems with ns = ≥0.85. This is the first attempt to focus on perceptions of library professionals on IoT adoption in Indian elite academic institutions as a pilot study, providing empirical insights that inform policy, planning, and future comprehensive research on smart library transformation.

Keywords

Internet of Things IoT adoption academic libraries information resource centers Institutes of National Importance smart libraries

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Al-Fuqaha

Guizani

Mohammadi

Aledhari

Ayyash

(2015). Internet of things: A survey on enabling technologies, protocols, and applications. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 17(4), 2347–2376. https://doi.org/10.1109/COMST.2015.2444095

Asim

Arif

Rafiq

(2022). Applications of internet of things in university libraries of Pakistan: An empirical investigation. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(6), Article 102613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102613

Asim

Arif

Rafiq

Ahmad

(2023). Investigating applications of artificial intelligence in university libraries of Pakistan: An empirical study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(6), Article 102803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102803

Asim

Arif

Rafiq

Nawaz

M. A.

Ahmad

(2024). Investigating applications of internet of things in medical libraries of Pakistan: An empirical study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(5), Article 102925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102925

Bansal

Arora

Suri

(2018). Internet of things: Beginning of new era for libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Available at. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2081

Liu

Krider

Buckland

Whiteman

Beachy

Smith

(2018). Real-time force monitoring of smart grippers for internet of things (IoT) applications. Journal of Industrial Information Integration, 11, 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jii.2018.02.004

Bradley

Tomlin

Mathews

(2018). Building intelligent infrastructures: Steps toward designing IoT-Enabled library facilities. Library Technology Reports, 54(1), 23–27. Available at. https://journals.ala.org/index.php/ltr/article/view/6551

Cheung

H. C.

Y. Y. M.

Chiu

D. K. W.

Kong

E. W. S.

(2023). Development of smart academic library services with internet of things technology: A qualitative study in Hong Kong. Library Hi Tech, 43(1), 398–422. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2023-0219

Chiu

D. K. W.

Wong

S. W. S.

(2023). Reevaluating remote library storage in the digital age: A comparative study. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 23(1), 89–109. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2023.0009. available at: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/877787

10.

DATAtab Team . (nd). Kruskal-Wallis-test. DATAtab. available at: https://datatab.net/tutorial/kruskal-wallis-test (accessed 8 May 2025).

11.

Dei

D.-G. J.

(2020). Assessing adoption and implementation of Mobile technology-based library services in academic libraries. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 9(3), 1669–1677. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.C8305.019320

12.

De Sarkar

(2022). Internet of Things (IoT) and library services. Library Hi Tech News, 39(9), 18–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-06-2022-0079

13.

Deshpande

B. S.

Sajana

(2020). Internet of things in libraries: A scientometric study. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 10(2), 186–194. available at. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3664478

14.

Devi

P. D.

Mirudhula

Devi

(2021). Advanced library management system using IoT. In Fifth International Conference on I-SMAC (IoT in Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud) (I-SMAC) (pp. 150–154). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/I-SMAC52330.2021.9640697

15.

Dhanya

Shivarama

(2021). Mapping of internet of things (IoT): A scientometric assessment on the global research output. International Journal of Library Information Network, 6(2), 1-14. available at. https://slp.org.in/IJLINK/volumes/IJLINK-V6I2-1.pdf

16.

Eiriemiokhale

James

J. B.

(2023). Application of the internet of things for quality service delivery in Nigerian university libraries. Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services, 13(1), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.51983/ijiss-2023.13.1.3463

17.

Frippiat

Marquis

Wiles-Portier

(2010). Web surveys in the social sciences: An overview. Population, 65(2), 285–312. https://doi.org/10.3917/pope.1002.0285. available at: https://shs.cairn.info/journal-population-2010-2-page-285?lang=en&tab=texte-integral

18.

Government of India . (nd). The States reorganisation act, 1956 (act No.37 of 1956): PART–III. available at. https://interstatecouncil.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/states_reorganisation_act.pdf

19.

Gubbi

Buyya

Marusic

Palaniswami

(2013). Internet of Things (IoT): A vision, architectural elements, and future directions. Future Generation Computer Systems, 29(7), 1645–1660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2013.01.010

20.

Gul

Bano

(2019). Smart libraries: An emerging and innovative technological habitat of 21st century. The Electronic Library, 37(5), 764–783. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-02-2019-0052

21.

Hair

J. F.

Ringle

C. M.

Sarstedt

(2013). Partial least squares structural equation modeling: Rigorous applications, better results and higher acceptance. Long Range Planning, 46(1–2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2013.01.001

22.

Hasan

Bao

Miah

S. J.

Fenton

(2023). Factors influencing the young physicians’ intention to use internet of things (IoT) services in healthcare. Information Development, 39(4), 902–919. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669211064114

23.

Hoy

M. B.

(2015). The ‘internet of things’: What it is and what it means for libraries. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 34(3), 353–358. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2015.1052699

24.

Hussain

Ahmad

(2021). Adoption of smart technologies in university libraries of Pakistan: A qualitative review. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021(1), 1–11. available at. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/6055/

25.

Igbinovia

M. O.

Okuonghae

(2021). Internet of things in contemporary academic libraries: Application and challenges. Library Hi Tech News, 38(5), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-05-2021-0019

26.

Khan

A. U.

Zhang

Chohan

S. R.

Rafique

(2022). Factors fostering the success of IoT services in academic libraries: A study built to enhance the library performance. Library Hi Tech, 40(6), 1976–1995. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2021-0179

27.

Kumar

(2023). Students’ perspectives on the application of internet of things for redesigning library services at Kurukshetra University. Open Information Science, 7(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1515/opis-2022-0154

28.

Niu

(2020). Design of smart agriculture based on big data and internet of things. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, 16(5), Article 155014772091706. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550147720917065

29.

(2014). Designing and implementation of University library automatic management system based on the internet of things. In Zu

Vargas-Vera

(Eds.), Pervasive computing and the networked World. ICPCA/SWS 2013. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09265-2_25

30.

Liang

(2020). Internet of things and its applications in libraries: A literature review. Emerald Publishing Limited, 38(1), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-01-2018-0014

31.

Liang

Chen

(2018). Libraries in internet of things (IoT) era. Library Hi Tech, 38(1), 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-11-2017-0233

32.

Makori

E. O.

(2017). Promoting innovation and application of internet of things in academic and research information organizations. Library Review, 66(8/9), 655–678. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-01-2017-0002

33.

Malone

(2019). Temple University’s Charles library includes a ‘BookBot’ storage and retrieval system. available at. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/news/55162795/temple-universitys-charles-library-includes-a-bookbot-storage-and-retrieval-system (accessed 8 May 2025).

34.

McClenaghan

(2024). Mann-Whitney U test: Assumptions and example. Informatics from Technology Networks. available at. https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/articles/mann-whitney-u-test-assumptions-and-example-363425 (accessed 13 May 2025).

35.

Mehmood

Choi

G. S.

Von Feigenblatt

O. F.

Park

H. W.

(2016). Proving ground for social network analysis in the emerging research area ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT). Scientometrics, 109(1), 185–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-1931-4

36.

Mishra

(2014). The game-changing nature of beacons. UX Magazine. available at. https://uxmag.com/articles/the-game-changing-nature-of-beacons

37.

Mohammadi

Yegane

(2018). IoT: Applied new technology in academic libraries [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Distributed Computing and High Performance (DCHPC 2018), Qom, Iran, 25–27 November 2018 (pp. 1–12). available at. https://www.academia.edu/39875574/IOT_Applied_New_Technology_in_Academic_Libraries

38.

Mohapatra

Nayak

Parida

D. K.

(2023). Unleashing the potential of the internet of things in transforming libraries into intelligent hubs of digital knowledge. Library Philosophy and Practice. available at. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7659/

39.

Mondal

(2021). Application of IoT in library. International Journal of Research Publication and Review, 2(2), 5–11. available at. https://www.ijrpr.com/uploads/V2ISSUE3/IJRPR208.pdf

40.

Monti

Mirri

Prandi

Salomoni

(2019). Preservation in smart libraries: An experiment involving IoT and indoor environmental sensing [Paper presentation]. IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/GLOBECOM38437.2019.9014149

41.

Nie

(2017). The application of internet of things in the University library. Advances in Computer Science Research, 59, 24–27. available at. https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/25870385.pdf

42.

Pandey

Kazmi

S. I. A.

Hayat

M. S.

Ahmed

(2017, December 18–20). A study on implementation of smart library systems using IoT [Paper presentation]. 2017 International Conference on Infocom Technologies and Unmanned Systems (Trends and Future Directions) (ICTUS) (pp. 193–197). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICTUS.2017.8286003

43.

Pant

M. K.

Negi

Seth

(2022). Use of internet of things (IoT) technologies in Indian institutes of management (IIM) libraries: A study. Library Philosophy and Practice. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7592

44.

Pujar

S. M.

Satyanarayana

K. V.

(2015). Internet of things and libraries. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 62(3), 186–190. https://doi.org/10.56042/alis.v62i3.9800

45.

Purnik

(2019). The internet of things serving libraries. The Internet of Things Serving Libraries. available at. https://www.ifla.org/node/92356 (accessed 5 September 2024).

46.

Rahman

Md.H.

Islam

Md.S.

(2019). Implementation of RFID in university libraries of Bangladesh. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 68(1/2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-06-2018-0053

47.

Rajiv . (2024). What are the major components of internet of things. RF Page. May. available at. https://www.rfpage.com/what-are-the-major-components-of-internet-of-things/ (accessed 9 May 2025)

48.

Rashid

M. H. A.

(2024). Role of IoT in smart libraries. Library & Information Management. available at. https://limbd.org/role-of-iot-in-smart-libraries/ (accessed 8 May 2025).

49.

Sabanci

Yigit

Ustun

Toktas

Celik

(2018, September 28–30). Thingspeak based monitoring IoT system for counting people in A library [Paper presentation]. 2018 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Data Processing (IDAP) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IDAP.2018.8620793

50.

Saha

Roknuzzaman

Md.

(2024). Library practitioners’ perceptions on the applications of IoT in university libraries of Bangladesh. Library Management, 45(1/2), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-07-2023-0072

51.

Sarmah

(2015). The internet of things plan to make libraries and museums awesomer. Fast Company. available at. https://www.fastcompany.com/3040451/the-internet-of-things-plan-to-make-libraries-and-museums-awesomer/ (accessed 7 May 2024).

52.

Sheeja

N. K.

Mathew

K. S.

(2019). Internet of things (IoT) in academic libraries [Paper presentation]. 12th International CALIBER-2019 (pp. 45–51). Bhubaneswar, India, 28–30 November, 2019. available at. https://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/server/api/core/bitstreams/2fb82c63-c0c5-438d-91b1-17ccd79a9b19/content

53.

Sinha

Brar

K. S.

(2024). Awareness and perception of students toward execution of internet of things in library services: A study of Indian institute technologies of Northern India. Open Information Science, 8(1), Article 20220167. https://doi.org/10.1515/opis-2022-0167

54.

Team SixSigma . (2025). Kruskal-Wallis test: Statistical analysis for six sigma projects. SixSigma.Us. available at. https://www.6sigma.us/six-sigma-in-focus/kruskal-wallis-test/ (accessed 8 May 2025).

55.

Ukamaka

E. A.

Kakiri

I. F.

(2021). Prospects and challenges of internet of things application in library services. Library Philosophy and Practice. available at. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5989/

56.

Upala

Wong

W. K.

(2019). IoT solution for smart library using facial recognition. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 495(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/495/1/012030

57.

Vishwakarma

N. K.

Singh

R. K.

Sharma

R. R. K.

(2019). Internet of things architectures: Do organizational strategies matters? Business Process Management Journal, 26(1), 102–131. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-03-2018-0092

58.

Wójcik

(2016). Internet of things – potential for libraries. Library Hi Tech, 34(2), 404–420. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-10-2015-0100

59.

Gao

Yeol Park

(2022). Situation awareness data fusion method based on library events. Computer Systems Science and Engineering, 42(3), 1047–1061. https://doi.org/10.32604/csse.2022.022051

60.

Xie

Liu

Zhu

Chong

Shi

Chen

(2019). An IoT-based risk warning system for smart libraries. Library Hi Tech, 37(4), 918–932. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-11-2017-0254

61.

Liu

Zhou

(2024). An IoT-based low-cost architecture for smart libraries using SDN. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 7022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57484-2

62.

L. D.

(2014). Internet of things in industries: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 10(4), 2233–2243. https://doi.org/10.1109/TII.2014.2300753

Unveiling Smart Libraries: Professional Perspectives on IoT Adoption in Indian Premier Institutions

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References