Historically, libraries have been all about access to information, and librarians have been the gatekeepers of the collections of physical books, records and databases where that knowledge was stored. Times have changed.
The way we access information has been completely transformed by technology. With the advent of the digital era, knowledge has become more readily available — and harder to control. Today, most of us already have information at our fingertips 24/7.
In the 21st century, librarians must adapt and update their skills to face the new challenges brought about by societal shifts and by the rapid change brought about by new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI). The library sector has traditionally been slow to transform, but times are changing, and a new era of librarianship is near.
How AI is changing the librarian's role
AI is a prime example of an emerging technology that has the potential to change library services — and the role of the librarian — in a significant way. (For an in-depth look at this topic, please download our report "Chatbots and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence in Libraries".)
In a forthcoming College and Research Libraries News article ("AI Literacy: A Guide for Academic Libraries"), Leo S. Lo, dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, makes the following observation:
Just as libraries once championed print, digital, and information literacy, we are now well-placed to become key players in advancing AI literacy as technology shapes the future. With AI transforming how information is retrieved, content is created, and decisions are made, librarians have a crucial role to play in helping our communities understand and engage thoughtfully with these technologies.
New tools create new roles
While public, academic, and school librarians and teachers of every type have been grappling with understanding the technical and ethical aspects of AI in their own ways (and often without much guidance), San José State University has created a new position specifically to address the topic.
In February of this year, the university welcomed its first ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Librarian, Sharesly Rodriguez. A press release noted that Rodriguez "joins as one of the first dedicated faculty AI librarians at a university to lead the integration and development of AI technologies for an academic library."
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said that the addition of the university's first AI librarian will ensure that "students, faculty, staff and the broader community have access to the tools and expertise needed to navigate the evolving AI landscape today and in the future."
Modern librarians are community-builders
AI and digital transformation are not the only forces driving change in the library space. As the purpose of libraries evolves, so too does the role of librarians in the 21st century. Libraries’ community service function has become just as important — if not more so — than their work as portals to knowledge.
Librarians have found themselves acting as social workers, teachers, community facilitators and even social media marketers — often working with limited resources and without the appropriate specialized training, preparation and support.
For example, many public libraries have stepped up to play a crucial role in addressing inequality in their communities — particularly when it comes to accessing technology and information.
Library resources bridge the digital divide
Libraries can help bridge the “digital divide” — the gap between those with access to technology and digital tools and those without. In 2021, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned:
As the world becomes more digitally dependent, it threatens to exclude those that remain disconnected. Almost half the world’s population, 3.7 billion people, the majority of them women, and most in developing countries, are still offline.
Even in developed countries like the U.S. and Canada, this divide persists, especially among low-income individuals, seniors, and rural residents. To address this, many libraries provide digital devices, internet access and training in digital literacy. Some go further by offering Wi-Fi in parking lots or lending tablets and laptops to support those most in need.
The library is a point of social contact
Libraries also serve as a point of social contact for many people, especially those suffering from social isolation. When physical library branches closed during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, some librarians continued reaching out to these vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, more directly, making house calls and dropping off reading material.
Along with the open access to information resources, the digital age has introduced something more sinister: the rise of "fake news", or misinformation. Many people, including us here at PressReader, have questioned whether public and school libraries today have a new responsibility to democratize access to good-quality journalism and promote media literacy and critical thinking.
Supporting the next generation of library professionals
These are big shoes to fill — and while the vision of librarians as community leaders is compelling, it will only become reality if we continue to improve upon how we prepare people to enter the profession.
While some librarians have proven themselves to be amazing leaders naturally, learning these skills should be as integral to training for the job as a solid grounding in information science, so that professionals enter the workforce ready to support the libraries of tomorrow.
Libraries may not previously have had opportunities to establish their own revenue streams in favor of government funding. However, they might find that new approaches are necessary if they want to keep delivering free, accessible library services and resources — and make sure their communities know about them. Students might need to learn skills more typically thought of as belonging to the business world, such as income generation and marketing.
Training leaders to meet professional challenges
In January of 2025, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) published a research report, "Learning to Lead: A Scan of Global Library Field Practice", that underlines the importance of leadership training for public and academic librarians. As the authors write in the introduction:
From the challenges posed by digital transformation and preservation to the need for diversity and inclusion in collection management, leadership development programmes are pivotal in preparing professionals to respond to these complexities.
According to the report, key qualities of future library leaders include empathy, flexibility, passion for learning, visionary thinking and collaboration skills, with essential skills including:
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technological proficiency
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communication skills
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strategic thinking
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problem-solving abilities
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people management skills
The American Library Association (ALA) offers some librarian-specific leadership courses and maintains a resource list of leadership development training opportunities for library professionals at all levels and specialties within the library community.
New skills are more important than ever
A recent Springer Nature article highlights the need for a "keen focus on upskilling" the library workforce. The author, Saskia Hoving, notes that "libraries know that change is a continuous process, and that today’s big issues will soon be replaced with new, equally important challenges."
Hoving cites Evan Simpson, Associate Dean for Research and Learning Services Northeastern University's Snell Library:
It’s important for library leadership to understand areas that are faster moving, and to keep up. To do this you need a degree of intentional planning for the skills required, as well as trust in library staff to seek out opportunities themselves to upskill.
The evolving role of librarians in a new landscape
Every aspect of the world we live in has been transformed by the Internet, and the open exchange of information that it facilitates. Providing users with access to new technologies and digital resources has already become a key aspect of libraries' evolving role.
While the local library will certainly look different in this new landscape, if librarians are willing to re-evaluate their essential role in their communities they can establish their facilities as hubs for connection, education and resiliency.
The transition will not be quick or easy, and both librarians and the academic institutions training them must embrace the change with open arms.
We believe it’s worth the effort. If our libraries can rise to the challenge, we might find that the future looks even brighter and more exciting than we imagined.
