{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,25]],"date-time":"2026-04-25T06:55:36Z","timestamp":1777100136467,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"5","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,2]]},"abstract":"\n Purpose<\/jats:title>\n The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into library services has raised significant concerns regarding job displacement and workforce polarization. In so doing, this study aims to examine librarians\u2019 perceptions of AI\u2019s impact on job displacement, job polarization and institutional policies guiding AI adoption.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title>\n A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, targeting academic librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Using purposive sampling, this study focused on institutions that had integrated AI into library services. Data were collected from 95 academic librarians through a structured four-point Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson\u2019s chi-square test and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Findings<\/jats:title>\n Findings reveal that librarians perceive AI as a significant threat to job security, particularly for lower-skilled staff. AI adoption is creating job polarization, favouring technologically skilled librarians while limiting career opportunities for those lacking AI expertise. Institutional preparedness for AI adoption is inadequate, with many libraries lacking structured retraining programmes and financial support. Furthermore, hypothesis testing confirms that librarians\u2019 perceptions of AI significantly influence job displacement concerns, while institutional policies have little impact on shaping these perceptions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Originality\/value<\/jats:title>\n While existing research often concentrates on technical applications of AI, this study shifts attention to how AI influences the human side of library work. As a result, this study provides a unique contribution to the discourse on AI adoption in librarianship by offering a comprehensive analysis of librarians\u2019 perceptions of job displacement and job polarization, particularly within the Nigerian academic library context. This study concludes that strategic interventions, such as AI training programmes and inclusive policies, are essential for workforce sustainability. It recommends that policymakers invest in AI skill development, library administrators implement workforce transition plans and professional library associations create mentorship programmes to bridge the digital divide.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/el-03-2025-0100","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,11]],"date-time":"2025-11-11T11:50:05Z","timestamp":1762861805000},"page":"818-838","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["The double-edged sword of AI: librarians\u2019 perceptions of job displacement and polarization"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"43","author":[{"given":"Bolaji David","family":"Oladokun","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi Department of Library and Information Technology, , Akwa Ibom,","place":["Nigeria"]}]},{"given":"Rexwhite Tega","family":"Enakrire","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Johannesburg \u2013 Auckland Park Kingsway Campus Department of Information and Knowledge Management, , Johannesburg,","place":["South Africa"]}]},{"given":"Esther David Josiah","family":"Okai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Abia State University Department of Library and Information Science, , Uturu,","place":["Nigeria"]}]},{"given":"Kehinde Abayomi","family":"Owolabi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta , Abeokuta,","place":["Nigeria"]}]}],"member":"140","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,13]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1-2","key":"2025112805534301100_ref001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1080\/1072303X.2021.1918602","article-title":"Awareness and perception of the artificial intelligence in the management of university libraries in Nigeria","volume":"29","author":"Abayomi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery and Electronic Reserve"},{"issue":"4","key":"2025112805534301100_ref002","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1080\/10875301.2022.2086196","article-title":"Perspectives of librarians on awareness and readiness of academic libraries to integrate artificial intelligence for library operations and services in Nigeria","volume":"26","author":"Ajani","year":"2022","journal-title":"Internet Reference Services Quarterly"},{"issue":"3","key":"2025112805534301100_ref003","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.1177\/0266382120952016","article-title":"Artificial intelligence tools and perspectives of university librarians: an overview","volume":"37","author":"Ali","year":"2020","journal-title":"Business Information Review"},{"issue":"6","key":"2025112805534301100_ref004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102437","DOI":"10.1016\/j.acalib.2021.102437","article-title":"UTAUT as a model for understanding intention to adopt AI and related technologies among librarians","volume":"47","author":"Andrews","year":"2021","journal-title":"The Journal of Academic Librarianship"},{"issue":"6","key":"2025112805534301100_ref005","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102803","DOI":"10.1016\/j.acalib.2023.102803","article-title":"Investigating applications of artificial intelligence in university libraries of Pakistan: an empirical study","volume":"49","author":"Asim","year":"2023","journal-title":"The Journal of Academic Librarianship"},{"issue":"1","key":"2025112805534301100_ref006","first-page":"75","article-title":"Adoption of artificial intelligence in library and information science in the 21st century: assessing the perceived impacts and challenges by librarians in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states","volume":"6","author":"Bassey","year":"2023","journal-title":"International Journal of Current Innovations in Education"},{"issue":"16","key":"2025112805534301100_ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1534","DOI":"10.1080\/09537287.2021.1882692","article-title":"Gigification, job engagement and satisfaction: the moderating role of AI enabled system automation in operations management","volume":"33","author":"Braganza","year":"2022","journal-title":"Production Planning and Control"},{"issue":"1","key":"2025112805534301100_ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.70211\/bafr.v1i1.178","article-title":"Will artificial intelligence reshape the global workforce by 2030? 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