Factors influencing the adoption of metaverse technologies in academic libraries: A systematic literature review

Abstract

The adoption of metaverse brings global digital transformation. In the post-pandemic era, metaverse provides innovative opportunities for libraries to address users’ needs in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of metaverse technologies in academic libraries and reveal challenges associated with the adoption of meta verse applications in library settings. A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was adopted to address the study’s objectives. 22 most relevant core research articles published in world’s reputed digital platforms including EBSCO Host (LISTA), ProQuest (LISA), Web of Science, Scopus, Sage, IEEE Xplore, and Science Direct were selected to carry out the study. These articles were produced during 2020–2025 in the English language. The word of metaverse existed in the selected articles and these studies were published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings of the study manifested that users’ facilitation, collaboration, virtual environment, use of technologies, accessibility & effectiveness, and immersive learning in institutions influenced the adoption of metaverse technologies in libraries. Results also displayed that ethical concerns, infrastructure limitations, expertise gaps, technological challenges, and workplace concerns caused challenges for the effective implementation of metaverse applications in library settings. Based on the study’s findings, practical recommendations have been proposed to facilitate the efficient adoption of metaverse technologies in academic library settings. The study has also offered relevant theoretical, managerial, methodological, and social implications.