Adoption of Artificial Intelligence for Librarians’ Continuing Professional Development: A Systematic Literature Review of Factors, Barriers, and Future Research Directions

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming professional practices across library and information environments. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of AI for librarians’ continuing professional development (CPD) through a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. A total of 30 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from major global digital databases were systematically analyzed to synthesize the existing body of knowledge on AI adoption in librarianship. The findings revealed that attitudinal readiness, competency transformation, organizational readiness, experiential learning opportunities, and future-oriented professional identity significantly encourage the adoption of AI for librarians’ CPD. Conversely, insufficient structured CPD opportunities, resistance to technological change, limited technological infrastructure, and ethical concerns emerged as major barriers hindering effective AI integration in professional learning environments. Based on the findings, the study developed a comprehensive framework to support the efficient and sustainable adoption of AI for librarians’ CPD. The study contributes to the growing discourse on AI-enabled professional learning in library and information science by offering theoretical, practical, and strategic insights to enhance librarians’ readiness for AI-driven information environments.