The illusion of reality in the gaming world: implications for libraries

Abstract

Purpose The main purpose of this paper is to explore implications of the illusion of reality in the gaming world for libraries, aiming to uncover the challenges and opportunities they face in adapting their services to the gaming context. Design/methodology/approach Through a comprehensive exploration of the topic, various sources, such as Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate were used. This study draws upon existing literature to analyze the impact of the illusion of reality in gaming on libraries and their offerings. Findings The findings emphasize the crucial role of libraries in comprehending the illusion of reality in gaming to remain relevant and effectively meet the evolving needs of patrons. It also emphasize the impact of the illusion of reality on user engagement, information-seeking behaviors, digital literacy challenges and the evolving gaming landscape. The findings highlight opportunities for libraries to leverage the illusion of reality, thereby enhancing user experiences, fostering community engagement, promoting information literacy and creating immersive learning environments. Originality/value This paper contributes a unique investigation into the impact of the illusion of reality in gaming on libraries, underscoring its significance. It offers practical recommendations to enhance library services, user experiences and community engagement within the gaming domain. The study provides valuable insights for library professionals, researchers and policymakers seeking to understand and adapt to the changing dynamics of the gaming world.

Emerging technologies and higher education libraries: a bibliometric analysis of the global literature

“…Emerging technologies in the form of data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, chatbots, gamification, robotics, digital literacy, research data management, assistive technologies, maker space, adaptive spaces, 3D printing, Internet of Things, mobile technology, augmented reality, virtual reality, digital preservation and storage underpinned through the Fourth Industrial Revolution are reimagining higher education libraries (Ajani et al, 2024;Anser et al, 2023;Asemi et al, 2021;Edwards et al, 2022;Gunapala et al, 2020;W ojcik, 2021;Zhou et al, 2022). Information access, information resources, services, facilities and most importantly human resources are precariously positioned as library management attempts to steer higher education libraries to a place of relevancy and sustainability through cutting-edge emerging technologies (Khan et al, 2023;Ocran and Afful-Arthur, 2022;Shahzad and Khan, 2023).…”

“…Similar to the findings in Shahzad and Khan (2023), Hamad et al (2023), Okunlaya et al (2022), numerous other studies on emerging technologies reveal the changing landscape in higher education libraries across the globe (Bharti and Verma, 2021;Bouaamri et al, 2022;Cheung et al, 2023a, b;Jiang et al, 2022;Khan et al, 2022;Maceli, 2022;Nadi-Ravandi and Batooli, 2023;Nugroho et al, 2023;Senthil Kumaran and Latha, 2023;Yu et al, 2023a, b). Smart libraries, data mining, AI, robotics, virtual reality, machine learning, data analytics, assistive technologies, research data management, digital preservation, Internet of Things are rigorously being probed in the extant literature vis-a-vis higher education libraries and emerging technologies (Ajani et al, 2024;Hamad et al, 2023;Khan et al, 2023;Yoon et al, 2022). Consequently, emerging technologies is a niche area within higher education libraries that is topical and being explored extensively, worldwide.…”