Abstract The study investigates medical students’ use of information resources in the age of advanced technologies at, Redeemer’s University, Nigeria. A survey design was employed. The study population consisted of 564 basic medical students, 300–500 level in the Faculty of Basic Medical Science. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that many medical students used library to read their personal notebooks/textbooks. Those who used library information resources, used them to prepare for examinations, advance in knowledge, do their class assignments, and to write projects/research. Artificial intelligence served as the major new platform that the students used to source for information. Lack of adoption of new technologies by the library, poor Internet access and erratic power supply were the top identified barriers to the library information resources usage. The study concluded that medical students need to be encouraged to make use of library’s collections greatly. Based on the study’s findings, the researcher recommended that the university management, and the library should implement new technologies, provide stable Internet access and constant power supply in the university library.

Abstract This study explores the present status of IoT adoption and implementation in Information Resource Centres (IRCs) of Institutions of National Importance (INIs) in India. It aims to identify the extent of integration, commonly adopted technologies, and challenges faced, proposing insights for strategic implementation. A quantitative survey was conducted among IRC administrators from 18 selected INIs in South India, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs = 5), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs = 4), Indian Institute of Science (IISc = 1), National Institutes of Technology (NITs = 5), and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS = 3). Data were collected via physical questionnaires and online Google Forms. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to analyze demographic patterns, the present status of IoT adoption and challenges across different institution types. The response rate was 88.88 % and reported some level of IoT adoption, reflecting positive institutional attitudes. Basic IoT services such as real-time notifications, QR codes, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking display high and uniform implementation across IRCs with high mean values (≥4.00). In contrast, advanced applications like virtual/augmented realities, smart infrastructure, and mobile-based tools remain underutilized (≤M = 2.20), primarily due to cost, technical difficulty, and personnel limitations. The study also shows no statistically significant difference in IoT adoption levels across the various types of INIs ( p > 0.05), representing a consistent pattern in digital transformation efforts. Key challenges identified include financial constraints, data security concerns, limited strategic planning, and lack of trained personnel. The study focuses on selected INIs in South India and provides an inclusive snapshot of the IoT implementation landscape in top-tier academic libraries and suggests effective strategies for scaling up adoption efforts. This is an original and first study exclusively on different categories of premier academic institutions allied with the given status of INIs, to investigate the current status of IoT adoption and implementation in IRCs. This empirical indication contributes to guide policy, planning, and future research on smart library transformation.

Abstract This study aimed to examine chatbot use, perceived concerns, effects, and ethics among university students. The study adopted a purposive sampling technique to select participants. The data for this study were collected from university students from India, the UAE and Jordan. A structured questionnaire was developed from published literature. The study instrument was planned to collect data on respondents’ familiarity and usage, measuring the familiarity and unfamiliarity of different chatbots such as Bard AI, CoPilot, etc., and the frequency of use is measured in terms of using the chatbot regularly, rarely, and never. While attitude, effects of chatbots, and ethical aspects are measured on 5-point Likert scale with 1 signifying strongly agree and 5 signifying strongly disagree. Data were collected electronically through email distribution of the designed Google form survey. A total of 444 participants in this study. The six hypotheses were tested using the independent sample t-test and the ANOVA test. The results of the study present significant differences in the use of chatbots across India, the UAE, and Jordan. The study showed differences in gender and academic level in chatbot use. The analysis exposed that science students demonstrated significantly higher levels of chatbot use and concern compared to non-science students. The outcomes of the study provide valuable insights into the integration of chatbots in academic institutions.

Abstract The pesantren library plays a pivotal role as the center of the process of knowing within Islamic educational institutions, akin to the scriptorium in the medieval Catholic tradition. This article proposes a conceptual alternative and framework for reimagining the pesantren library as a dynamic space for the process of knowing, mediated through interactions between the pesantren community (santri, kiai, ustaz, and staff) and its literary collections, including kitab kuning, manuscripts, and archives. Unlike conventional libraries, which are often ephemeral and artificial in structure, the pesantren library integrates religious tradition, Islamic cosmology, and distinct social relations. This article examines two key dimensions: the modes of engagement between the pesantren community and its textual collections, and the internal relational dynamics and the influence of the strangers in transforming knowledge processes. Furthermore, the pesantren library is not merely a repository but an active epistemological site that generates new discourses.

Abstract This article explores the challenges and opportunities of adopting data-driven approaches in Ancient World (AW) studies, focusing on the complexities of data collection, curation, and analysis in the field. We address issues such as defining data for AW studies, as well as data fragmentation, standardization, and interoperability. We propose solutions to enhance data accessibility, collaboration, and reuse, demonstrating that adopting standardized formats and adhering to FAIR principles can improve data sharing and enable large-scale, interdisciplinary research. Importantly, we highlight how qualitative and quantitative approaches can coexist, enriching the field. We also review different past and ongoing initiatives supporting data-driven methodologies in AW studies and advocate for their continued expansion. Lastly, we discuss the rise of data papers as a transformative tool for bridging traditional scholarship and digital methodologies, emphasizing the importance of data sets and their potential for reuse in advancing the field.

Abstract This study investigates student perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in university libraries, focusing on their understanding of AI’s benefits and ethical considerations essential for broader institutional implementation. A quantitative survey was conducted using structured questionnaires distributed among 400 students from Kurukshetra University, Shri Krishna Ayush University, NIT, and NID, with 377 valid responses analyzed using SPSS. Statistical tools such as ANOVA and percentage analysis were employed to assess the influence of demographic and institutional factors on students’ perceptions and expectations. The findings reveal that students view AI positively, recognizing its role in improving access to resources, personalized recommendations, and operational efficiency. However, concerns persist regarding data privacy, reduced human interaction, and job displacement. Notably, students with greater exposure to AI showed higher acceptance, while others remained cautious. The study’s limitations include reliance on data from four institutions and self-reported responses. Nonetheless, the results provide valuable insights for academic libraries across sectors. Practical implications suggest the need for privacy safeguards, transparent AI systems, and targeted training to build trust and enhance adoption. This research contributes to academic discourse by aligning AI implementation with student needs and ethical standards, offering institutional strategies for effective AI integration in library services.

Abstract With the growth of open educational resources (OERs), academic libraries have an opportunity to play a vital role in facilitating access, use, and development of OERs. This study explored the management practices of OER initiatives in Nigerian public university libraries. A sequential mixed method was adopted for this study using the sequential explanatory strategy. Quantitative method was used to gather data to inform the study population for the qualitative part of the study. The quantitative data was analysed descriptively, while the qualitative data was analysed thematically; both data were integrated into the discussion of findings to provide robustness and complementarity. The study revealed variability across institutions in the completeness of OER projects. It also found key drivers and challenges of integrating OERs in these institutions. While this study provided recommendations based on the findings, it also made suggestions for librarians seeking to expand their role in OER adoption through strategic leadership, faculty partnerships, and advocacy. The findings of this research contribute to the on-going discourse on OER adoption, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities facing academic libraries in sustaining OER initiatives.

Abstract Software-defined networking offers a flexible and programmatically efficient network design. Security in today’s ad hoc mobile wireless network is paramount and incredibly challenging. Software-defined network is used to automatically and dynamically manage and control large network devices, network services, traffic paths, network topology, and packet management (quality of service). Recently different attackers are attacking our data when forwarding from one device to another. Therefore, software-defined networking and a Hybrid Rivest, Shamir, and Adelman (RSA)–Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm are needed to establish the concept of software-defined networking in mobile ad hoc networks to improve security and routing efficiency. The proposed Hybrid Cryptography Algorithm (HCA)-Based SDN mainly creates strong detection, prevention, and authentication mechanisms for MANET. The proposed secure data channel throughput increased by 0.4%, and the suggested system latency was 3.6% lower than the Normal MANET. It is already proved that the Hybrid cryptography algorithm also generates a key for security faster than RSA (Rivest, Shamir, and Adelman). The performance of the RSA–AES (hybrid) approach for encrypting and decrypting broad data significantly beats the RSA-Blowfish algorithm. In decrypting files, the hybrid approach (RSA–AES) outperforms the RSA-Blowfish method 11.2 times more efficiently when the file size is 32 kB; however, efficiency is increased by 77.1 times when the file size exceeds 4,096 kB. The experimental result shows that as the file size increases the hybrid RSA–AES solution outperforms RSA when the file is only 145 bytes; however, when the file is 6,460 bytes in size, the efficiency is multiplied by 61.3. As file size increases, RSA is less efficient than the hybrid encryption method. This is more preferred to be implemented for different parts of wireless networks like MANET.

Abstract This study explores the perspectives of Indian library professionals on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries. It aims to understand their knowledge, awareness, and views on AI and its challenges and opportunities. The research adopts a quantitative approach, using a closed-ended survey to collect data from 386 library professionals in academic institutions across India. The survey covers various aspects, including socio-demographic information, AI knowledge, perspectives on AI in libraries, ethical considerations, and adopting AI tools and services. The findings indicate that Indian library professionals are generally aware of AI and its potential benefits in libraries. They believe that AI can enhance library activities, improve accessibility, and support decision-making. However, there are concerns about AI replacing human intelligence within libraries. Factors such as user privacy, funding, staff expertise, and alignment with institutional goals are essential when implementing AI applications. Ethical considerations, including bias and discrimination, intellectual freedom, and transparency, are also significant concerns. AI tools like smart shelving and optical character recognition are among the technologies already adopted in Indian libraries.

Abstract Achieving an effective sustainable developmental policy is considered a primary goal in a large number of institutions around the world. The application of this policy in universities is reflected throughout the country, especially in developing and low-income countries. This research aims to analyse the sustainability policies adopted at Damascus University during the past 5 years of the Syrian crisis through several factors, with a focus on the analysis based on the SciVal and Scopus databases. We consider Damascus University as an example of an institution of a developing country. We use the method of extracting and analysing the data of the 16 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of Damascus University within Scopus. Based on Scopus and SciVal data, we find that Damascus University made a significant leap in the number of its research related to sustainable development in the year 2022, as these research studies constituted 46.0% of all published, abstracted, and indexed research studies in Scopus by Damascus University researchers. Also, by analysing the citation data which the SDG documents have received, we find that the citations resulted from these documents represent about 53% of the total citation of the university during the same time.