Internet of Things Infrastructures in Academic Libraries: A Case Study in Iran

Abstract

Internet of Things (IoT) is going to create many changes in libraries. However, its application in libraries requires the use of various infrastructures. This paper aims to determine IoT infrastructures in academic libraries and examine them in Iranian academic libraries. This is a descriptive survey with two qualitative and quantitative approaches. The statistical population consists of 15 central libraries of state universities of Tehran in 2018. The infrastructures needed to apply this technology in libraries were extracted through an in-depth study method and based on which a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and its reliability and validity were confirmed. The questions were answered in three parts by managers, library staffs, and IT specialists Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and SPSS software. A total of 4 infrastructures and 42 components were obtained for IoT in libraries. The results showed that the studied libraries, having 60.53% of the required infrastructures are in moderate condition. Technical, financial, legal and human resource infrastructures, respectively, with an average score of 64.85%, 63.7%, 71.23%, and 64.7% are also in moderate condition. The studied libraries are in moderate condition in terms of the required infrastructures for using IoT and are still far from ideal. It is suggested that the identified weaknesses and shortcomings will be addressed by managers and authorities in order to provide the basis for using this technology.

Factors influencing the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) in university libraries: a systematic literature review (SLR)

“…Effective change management strategies are intensely needed for the successful adoption and sustainability of IoT-based library systems and services in universities. Similar challenges were reported by Asim et al (2022), Chen and Hao (2022), Harati et al (2021), Hoy (2015), Igbinovia and Okuonghae (2021), Makori (2017), Muhamad and Darwesh (2020) and Osman et al (2023) in their studies.…”

“…Effective usage of library resources is ensured through IoT adoption in university libraries. Required information resources are provided to the end users in the required format (Harati et al, 2021;Kumar, 2018). Library services are improved and users' information and research needs are addressed through smart methods (Khan et al, 2022).…”

Library practitioners’ perceptions on the applications of IoT in university libraries of Bangladesh

“…Large wireless system capacity, simplified network planning and setup, interoperable architecture, remote network and device management and a flexible and scalable software infrastructure are essential factors for building IoT-based services (Behrtech, 2020). The infrastructural issues including technological, financial, and human resources should be the prime considerations for the university libraries of Bangladesh in order to capitalize the potential benefits of IoT, which are consistent with the findings of Harati et al. (2021).…”

“…Despite the opportunities of IoT, some studies identified a number of challenges of implementing IoT technology in libraries (Asim and Arif, 2023;Asim et al, 2022;Harati et al, 2021;Igbinovia and Okuonghae, 2021a;Bansal et al, 2018;Kaba and Ramaiah, 2019;Kumar, 2016;Hoy, 2015). As there is no standard for this technology, it can exchange data using multiple companies' own parameter and thus the risk of unauthorized access and system hacking would be a common issue (Hoy, 2015).…”

“…Despite the opportunities of IoT, some studies identified a number of challenges of implementing IoT technology in libraries (Asim and Arif, 2023; Asim et al. , 2022; Harati et al. , 2021; Igbinovia and Okuonghae, 2021a; Bansal et al.…”