Reinventing Academic Libraries via Intelligent Technologies: Bridging the Knowledge Gap for the Promotion of Information Access.

This study examines the integration of intelligent technologies into library services, with a focus on their role in bridging knowledge gaps and improving information access. The research aims to assess global trends in intelligent library adoption, identify challenges in developing regions, particularly Africa, and propose strategies for effective implementation. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA framework. Searches were carried out in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using Boolean operators and keywords. 62 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 met the eligibility criteria. Findings reveal that while libraries in developed regions have successfully integrated AI-powered chatbots, IoT-enabled inventory systems, and data-driven personalized services, those in Africa face infrastructural limitations, unreliable internet, financial constraints, and skill gaps. Additionally, cultural resistance and inadequate digital literacy among library staff hinder full-scale implementation. The study concludes that intelligent technologies hold transformative potential for modern libraries, improving efficiency, user experience, and remote access to information. However, overcoming adoption barriers requires targeted investments in digital infrastructure, capacity building, and stakeholder collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]