Enhancing Information Access in Nigerian University Libraries in the ChatGPT Era: Strategic Approaches and Key Consideration

This paper explored strategic approaches and key considerations on how university libraries in Nigeria can adopt charGPT to enhance information access for efficiency of operations and service delivery. Systematic analysis and review of literature approaches were employed to determine the present state of the adoption of artificial intelligence in libraries. Specifically, the literature reveal that there is higher rate of AI adoption in academic libraries in America and European countries while it is slow in Asia and Oceana. But, the situation of the academic libraries in Africa indicate lack of readiness for the adoption of AI tools for offering library services. Hence, some strategies and key considerations were discussed briefly in order to guide the implementation of chatGPT. These strategies include the use of chatGPT to: enhance accuracy of cataloguing and its searching, enhance reference and information services, tailoring library resources for offering personalized services based on user’s profiles and information seeking behaviour, providing training of library staff and patrons, gathering feedbacks from patrons for the purpose of decision making and service improvement. Therefore, the practical steps to be developed including policy framework to regulate the use of chatGPT were recommended. Furthermore, the paper discussed possible challenges and necessary precautions to be addressed for effective implementation and utilization of chatGPT to enhance information access in Nigerian university libraries