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How to make the library smart? The conceptualization of the smart library
Gaohui Cao, Mengli Liang, Xuguang Li,
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How to make
How to make the library smart? the library
The conceptualization of the smart

smart library
Gaohui Cao, Mengli Liang and Xuguang Li 811
Department of Information Management, Central China Normal University,
Wuhan, China Received 23 November 2017
Revised 25 December 2017
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10 January 2018
Accepted 18 January 2018

Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to clearly conceptualize the idea of the smart library and propose a holistic
approach to building smart libraries, in accordance with recent practices and state-of-the-art technologies.
Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on an extensive review of existing literature and practice
about library construction, this paper distinguishes between similar types of smart library and divides the
concepts associated with smart library building into three dimensions: technology, service and human.
Findings – Traditional libraries can transform to smart libraries by strategic design and implementation of
advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, data mining and artificial intelligence, but they also need to
consider service building, user cultivation and librarian training.
Originality/value – Aligning to the three main dimensions of smart libraries (technology, service and
human), this study clarifies the concept of the smart library and offers strategic principles: integration of
infrastructures, construction of service and human learning. It provides guidelines and directions for public
and academic libraries committed to becoming smart libraries.
Keywords Strategic alignment, Human factors, Smart library, Conceptualization, Library service,
Smart technology, Two-way sensing
Paper type Conceptual paper

Introduction
According to the Statement on Libraries and Development made by the International
Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA, 2013), the library is the only
place in many communities where people can access information that will help improve their
education, develop new skills, find jobs, build businesses, make informed agricultural and
health decisions or learn about environmental issues. Libraries have, therefore, been
continuously supported by governments and communities. However, they face increasing
challenges to meet the growing needs of their users. These challenges are primarily in three
areas: rapid technological environment changes; extensive and rapid growth of data; and the
increase in and diversification of user needs. New technologies, such as the Internet of
Things (IoT), have brought both opportunities to upgrade library infrastructure and the
challenges of adapting to rapid technical development. Furthermore, traditional libraries are
typically unable to match commercial search engines in providing timely information
services that could handle exponential data growth. The rapidly changing and increasingly

The paper is funded by grants from the Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of The Electronic Library
Vol. 36 No. 5, 2018
China (No. 13& ZD183), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2017M610489) and the self- pp. 811-825
determined research funds of CCNU from the colleges’ basic research and operation of MOE © Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
(No. CCNU14Z02002, No. CCNU17TS0009 and No. CCNU17A03013). DOI 10.1108/EL-11-2017-0248
 EL diverse needs of library users demand that libraries provide the latest information resources,
36,5 services from knowledgeable staff, workshops on information skills, professional
consultancy and internet information (Kassim and Zakaria, 2006).
In response to these challenges, libraries have been continually evolving to provide
digital collections and services. With the development of intelligent IoT technology, some
libraries have identified “smart” ways to address the challenges of unprecedented data
812 growth and technological change. Using new technologies to improve their services, such
libraries have commonly been termed “smart libraries”. For example, in 2004, several
libraries, museums, universities and public libraries in Ottawa, Canada, established a “smart
library” coalition (Wang, 2011), using a single search engine to provide a one-stop reader
service. Nanjing University Library integrated ultrahigh frequency and radio frequency
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identification (RFID) with the internet, the IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), and other
technologies to invent the library robot, “Map Treasure”, which informs the reader of a
book’s precise shelf location, updated in real time, with a mistake rate controlled within one
per cent and a positioning accuracy of up to 97 per cent (Express, 2017). These libraries are
cost-efficient and can be built in a short time, with longer service hours. They can also better
protect the privacy of readers and save on human and material resources (Liu, 2015).
However, there is little theoretical exploration of the smart library. It is unclear what
constitutes a smart library and how it differs from other types of library. Conceptualizing
the smart library is important because it helps funding agencies, researchers and
practitioners achieve consensus on how to improve existing libraries; establish the basic
components of the smart library; and address the technological, data and user challenges. A
solid conceptualization also enables future research and library development. This
conceptual paper aims to define the smart library and to explore its characteristics and
components, with a view to guiding research, practice and the development of advanced
library functions and services. An extensive literature review work was conducted to
identify suitable cases and theories. A wide range of data sources was searched, including
academic databases and search engines in both the Chinese and English languages. Sixty-
five relevant papers, which were published between 1957 and 2017, were identified in total.
The paper is structured as follows: the next section of the smart library in literature
discusses definitions of the smart library and related concepts in the literature. The core
components of the smart library section synthesize and extend these definitions to define the
smart library and its characteristics. The section of strategic directions in key dimensions
proposes strategic principles that may contribute to the implementation of smart libraries.
The final section summarizes the conceptualization and specifies future research.

The smart library in literature

The meaning of “smart” in the smart library context
The concept of the smart library has been discussed globally in different contexts and under
different names. Consequently, there are a range of conceptual variants generated by
replacing “smart” with other adjectives, such as “digital”, “intelligent” and “blended”. In
marketing language, smartness is centred on a user perspective (Klein and Kaefer, 2008).
Accordingly, a smart library should be user-centric and adaptable to user needs. To achieve
that, smartness means that the library should be capable of automatically capturing the
needs of users and providing the resources and services to meet those needs.
Smartness in the technological context implies automatic computing principles, such
as self-configuration, self-healing, self-protection and self-optimization (Spangler et al.,
2010). The technology of the internet, the IoT, cloud computing and big data technology
have been widely applied to people’s daily lives and discussed across multiple disciplines
 (Jan and Nasrine, 2016). Smart homes, smart buildings and larger smart ensembles, such How to make
as airports, hospitals or university campuses, are equipped with a multitude of mobile the library
terminals, embedded devices, connected sensors and actuators (Klein and Kaefer, 2008). smart
Therefore, it can be safely inferred that the current smart technology can be used by a
smart library to fully perceive people and things, to achieve smart management and to
improve work efficiency. In practice, the University of Chicago’s Mansotto Library used
smart technology to establish a robot underground library management system which 813
stored its 3.5 million volumes in one-seventh of the space required by conventional
stacks, thereby saving storage space and librarian time (Kalee, 2012). Above all, through
the latest technologies, smartness creates a way for the library to sense users and analyse
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their specific needs.

Working definitions of the smart library

The working definitions of the smart library identified from existing literature are presented
in Table I. There is variety in the terms but many commonalities.
Most working definitions of the smart library illustrated in Table I consider it to be a new
library model whose purpose is to provide users with better service. These definitions are a
starting point for research. However, they focus too much on technology and do not provide
a comprehensive definition that could guide building the smart library.
Recent research on the smart library has tended to take the perspective of a single
dimension, such as the technical dimension (Xie and Liu, 2012; Yan, 2010), the service
dimension (Chen and Zhang, 2016; Dong, 2011) or the pattern dimension (Wu, 2012); only a
few studies take a multi-dimensional approach (Wang, 2011). Furthermore, some smart
library practices also take a single perspective; for example, Chongqing University library
and Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications Library built a smart library from

Source Definition

(Aittola et al., 2003) A smart library is a location-aware mobile library service, unconstrained by space,
which helps users find books and related information
(Miller et al., 2004) A smart library uses software quality engineering practices, with the aim to
minimize the likelihood of making mistakes in using libraries and to maximize user
ability to diagnose and correct mistakes when they occur
(Wang, 2011) A smart library realizes the associations between books, the associations between
books and people, and the associations between people anywhere and at any time.
Digitization, networking and intelligence are the information and technical basis of
the smart library. In essence, the smart library is people-oriented. It has sustainable
development and user convenience at its heart, and it aims to satisfy the increasing
information requirements of readers
(Yan, 2010) The smart library is a model of a smarter way to change the interactivity of users
and library systems by using a new generation of information technology; to
improve the clarity, flexibility and responsiveness of the interaction, smart service
and management
(Wu, 2012) A smart library is a more advanced development of the hybrid library and digital
library. Within the environment of the IoT, the smart library relies on cloud
computing technology and intelligent equipment; realizes the book-book, book-
people and people-people associations; and provides intelligent services for users
(Li and Dong, 2016) Smart library refers to the smartness of the library building, through the integration Table I.
of library building equipment, computer networks, communications technology and Definitions of the
sensor monitoring smart library
 EL the system perspective (Dong, 2011), while the Taipei smart library does so from the service
36,5 perspective (Liu, 2015). The Nanjing University library is based on the service and technical
perspectives but ignores the human dimension (Shen and Shao, 2015).

Conceptual relatives
A consideration of the conceptual cousins of the smart library is needed to build the set of
814 common multi-dimensional components of the smart library. The various labels can be
categorized into three dimensions: technology, people and service (as shown in Table II)
based on the literature of smart libraries and practice as mentioned earlier. These conceptual
variants are mutually connected with substantial overlap in definitions and complex uses.
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Technology dimension. In the technology dimension, various cousins of the smart library
concept can be drawn on. A digital library’s essence is a library information service system
based on electronic communication and computer processing technology, with original
physical texts and images transformed into digital texts and images, accompanied by voice,

Dimensions Concepts Definitions Studies

Technology Digital library A digital library is an organization that provides (Diekema, 2012);
resources. Its purpose is to collect, build, access, (Jefcoate, 1999);
reveal, transfer and keep a large number of digital (Kovacevic et al.,
works; and to ensure the durability of this collection 2010);
over time, so that it can be easily and economically (Nikolaidou et al.,
utilized by a particular group 2005);
(Wee et al., 2013)
Intelligent Intelligent library systems enable library users to (Bailey, 1991);
library retrieve information based on what they mean, (Dent, 2007);
rather than on what they say. They enable libraries (Satria and
to become more interactive, accurate and user Wahono, 2008)
friendly
Hybrid library A hybrid library, by introducing a variety of (Rusbridge, 1998);
technologies into the library, combines the (Pinfield et al.,
advantages of both traditional and digital libraries; 1998)
electronic and printed resources coexist, creating a
complex environment to provide users with services
Service Blended library A blended library is a new form: based on the (Bell and Shank,
Internetþ and related new technology. With a user 2004); (Bogorin
demand-oriented focus, it provides large data et al., 2013);
resource management and situational knowledge (Sinclair, 2009)
services to users
Ubiquitous A ubiquitous library is a digital library where users (Bae et al., 2007);
library can access, via information devices, the information (Kaske, 2004)
they need anywhere and at any time. Its goal is to
provide users with seamless, dynamic and
interactive information resources and services
User-oriented Mobile library A mobile library refers to a service which provides (Huang and Wang,
access to library resources through smartphones, 2011);
Kindles, iPADs and other mobile terminal (Wei and Yang,
equipment. The designing of a mobile library is 2017)
highly reliant on a user’s mobile platforms, and
Table II. services are rooted in user demand. It reflects the
Conceptual relatives user-oriented spirit in the library designing and
of the smart library service process
 animation and other multimedia information. Huang (2005) described it as a digital How to make
information system. Digitization stores and interconnects information scattered across the library
different carriers, places and networks, thereby enabling immediate use and resource
sharing.
smart
The technological aim is to build an intelligent library. Bailey (1991) described
intelligence as the ability to acquire new knowledge; to refine procedures for dealing with
novel situations; to know, understand, cognize and deal with novel problems; to represent,
map and access knowledge in memory; to control various processes of intelligent behaviour; 815
to perform arithmetic operations; to use problem-solving knowledge (reasoning); to interact
with and understand other people, machines and programmes; to recognize natural
language; and to recognize visual images (visual perception). An intelligent library is self-
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renewing, flexible, functional, integrated, efficient, resilient, autonomous, sensitive and

adaptive (Satria and Wahono, 2008). Dent (2007) viewed intelligent library systems as
enabling library users to retrieve information based on what they mean, rather than on what
they say. Intelligent library systems do not respond to user queries by mere word matching;
instead, they use ontologies to comprehend the query and provide appropriate responses
based on what users mean. Intelligent library systems enable libraries to become more
interactive, accurate and user friendly (Dent, 2007).
According to Rusbridge (1998), the hybrid library, by adopting a wide range of
technologies, aims for the organic integration of systems and services in a dual environment
of electronics and print. Some researchers have argued that the hybrid library is on a
continuum between traditional and digital libraries, as it provides both electronic and
printed information resources (Pinfield et al., 1998; Rusbridge, 1998).
Service dimension. Research on the blended library began in the context of the
information technology development of library space and services remodelling, and is more
concentrated in the university libraries of Europe and the USA (Bell and Shank, 2004). The
blended library led to a significant appreciation of real learning space, creating an added
value for the library. The characteristics of the blended library are fusion, interaction,
visualization, ubiquity, and intelligence.
The ubiquitous library is characteristically networked, all-weather, open, multi-format,
multi-language and globalized. The goal of the ubiquitous library is for users to enjoy
seamless, dynamic and interactive information resources and services.
User-oriented dimension. The mobile library enables library resources to be accessed via
smartphones, Kindles, iPADs and other mobile terminal equipment (Wei and Yang, 2017).
This means that access to the mobile library is under the control of users and is designed
around the technical platforms of user mobile devices. Moreover, the contents and services
provided must be fully compliant with the demands of library users. To put it simply, its
services are user-pervasive and user-oriented. Mobile library research has focused on the
practical application of WAP technology, the Android platform, the IOS platform or an
integration of various technologies and platforms in the construction of the mobile library
service platform, and on the application of QR code, RSS and other new technologies in the
mobile library’s design and construction.
In summary, all the above types of libraries share some features of the smart library. For
instance, the digital library stresses the application of digital technology; the intelligent
library concentrates on bringing intelligence to a library’s functions and services; the
blended library and ubiquitous library both highlight the importance of ubiquitous service;
and the mobile library puts user-centric service first. From the analysis of these relevant
types of library, the core components of a smart library can be derived, as will be discussed
in the following section.
 EL Core components of the smart library
36,5 The preceding section considered the meaning of “smart” from the technology, service and
human dimensions, and it discussed working definitions of the smart library and its
conceptual variants in the existing literature. To summarize, the fundamental factors and
key conceptual components of the smart library can be classified into three categories: smart
technology (IoT, data mining and AI), smart service (user-centred service) and smart people
816 (user and librarian).

Smart technology
Advanced technology is the foundation and premise of the smart library and can include
wearable technology, mobile internet, intelligent processing technology, cloud computing,
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and virtual and ubiquitous technology. The core of the current development of smart library
technology is data mining, AI and the IoT.
Data mining has long been discussed within library studies. Libraries have used data
mining to assist management decisions (Cullen, 2005). Cox and Jantti (2012), at the
University of Wollongong library, have joined library data to university demographic and
academic performance data to show a strong correlation between library use and higher
student grades. Some researchers (Chen and Chen, 2007; Kovacevic et al., 2010; Tsai and
Chen, 2008) have proposed using library data mining to provide recommender services for
library materials. Data mining methods can produce individualized services for users – for
example, by pushing information to them – and they can assist with decision-making
(Renaud et al., 2016). Furthermore, they can make links between different books (e.g.
between books on cookery and books on health), thereby creating a rich and individualized
resource for users (Renaud et al., 2016).
Both the IFLA Trend Report and the NMC Horizon Report: 2017 Library Edition have
identified AI as a major technological trend and development within the library community
(IFLA, 2016; NMC, 2017). Using AI in a smart library can enhance the content of intelligent
analysis capabilities and improve the effectiveness of services. For instance, convolutional
neural networks and collaborative filtering provide possibilities for reference service
refinement. Yang et al. (2016) proposed a deep neural network-based scene text reading
system that builds a book inventory merely from the images of bookshelves, helping users
to quickly locate a book. Some libraries have used intelligent robots in their service: the
Westport Library in Connecticut, for example, introduced two robots to provide information
services to readers in 2014 (Westport Library, 2016).
The IoT has been defined by Vermesan et al. (2011) as a “dynamic global network
infrastructure with self-configuring capabilities based on standard and interoperable
communication protocols where physical and virtual ‘things’ have identities, physical
attributes, virtual personalities, use intelligent interfaces, and are seamlessly integrated into
the information network” (p. 10). The potential application of the IoT to libraries has been
raised at international conferences (Kellmereit and Obodovski, 2013), by librarians’
associations (ALA, 2015; OCLC, 2015) and within the blogosphere (Joseph, 2011; Perera,
2014). Wojcik (2016) maintained that the IoT can, in theory, be successfully used in almost
every area of library work. For example, it can provide directory information as well as
access to traditional and online collections. Moreover, the IoT also has potential for
consulting, training, track and trace services, and sharing of information. The primary
feature of the IoT is comprehensive perception. A smart library with RFID devices, infrared
sensors, GPS, laser scanners, and so forth, can be fully integrated and realized anywhere and
at any time, and it can achieve automatic positioning of documents, automatic inventories,
unattended security management and self-borrowing, among other services.
 Smart service How to make
Ranganathan (1957) proposed five laws of library science: the library
(1) books are for use; smart
(2) for every reader, a book;
(3) for every book, its reader;
(4) save the time of the reader; and
817
(5) a library is a growing organism.

Koehler (2004) suggested that Ranganathan’s laws remain valid today and applicable to
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libraries tomorrow because the ultimate purpose of a library, whether it is digital, hybrid, or
otherwise, is to provide user-centred service for its users.
Crawford and Gorman (1995, p. 8) updated and reinterpreted Ranganathan’s five laws,
similarly stressing a library’s service function: “libraries serve humanity”; “respect all forms
by which knowledge is communicated”; “use technology intelligently to enhance service”;
“protect free access to knowledge”; and “honor the past and create the future”. Crawford and
Groman’s five laws have been inspirational to the smart library. A smart library aims to
make available ubiquitous services with the full use of information technology and its
inherent feature is to provide people-oriented smart services that meet the constantly
changing needs of readers. Specifically, a smart library should provide, but not be limited to,
the following services.
First, the smart library should be a knowledge service based on information resources
mining and user needs analysis. For example, a smart library can perceive a user’s position
with GPS, Wi-Fi and RFID; it can analyse user behaviour with image acquisition and
trajectory tracking; and it can tailor services to a user’s age, nationality, education and other
characteristics.
Second, the smart library should provide a precise service based on a smart system. For
instance, smart air-conditioning equipment using temperature sensors can determine
whether the library should be cooler or warmer; and a smart fire safety system can manage
fire doors, alarms and primary fire control measures, and can quickly analyse the best fire
escape route to guide patrons using the library’s voice system and display.
Furthermore, no longer just a place for book borrowing and storage, the library has
shifted towards activity participation (Shorris and Tarlow, 2016). To encourage user
participation, a smart library should provide high-level services. For example, it can provide
leisure services through cafés and cultural activities rooms, and it can create a comfortable
and leisurely environment. In early 2017, Jinan University Library built a “smart space”,
which included an audiovisual area, a three-dimensional film and television appreciation
area, a music appreciation recreation area and a training space (Xiao, 2017).
In short, a smart library can achieve high-level service through the following: becoming a
learning space, a community centre and a place for citizens’ participation; encouraging
communication and cooperation among library users; and providing activities and services
that promote community knowledge exchanges and improve community relations, such as
workshops, book festivals and lectures.

Smart people
The smart library’s ultimate goal is to meet the changing needs of users so they can become
smart or smarter. Consequently, users should be a crucial factor when building a smart
library. Most users, however, do not know what services the library offers. For example,
only 22 per cent of Americans say that they know all or most of the services their libraries
 EL offer, whereas 46 per cent say they know some of the services, and 31 per cent know little or
36,5 nothing of what their libraries offer (Zickuhr et al., 2013). Therefore, the smart library should
strengthen user education about library use.
The librarian is an important human factor in a smart library. Koehler (2004, p. 405)
stated: “Information and its conduits (books and libraries however defined) are ultimately
designed for human consumption in some way and one of the primary roles of [a] librarian
818 was guardian and barrier”. Furthermore, Johnson (2012) has pointed out that nobody can
develop a “smart library” but its own “smart” staff. Thus, librarians play a key role in the
management of the smart library, and librarians compensate for the lack of humanistic
spirit in pure technology. To promote the smart library’s long-term development, it needs
well-trained professional “smart” librarians to realize a true smart service.
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Strategic directions in key dimensions

Given all that information, there is now the question of how to build an effective smart
library that contains the core components discussed above. Some strategic principles and
suggestions that should be further evaluated in practice are offered below.

Integration of smart technologies

Traditional libraries cannot become smart libraries by using only one technology. Rather,
integration and interaction with a variety of technologies are required. Based on the
functions required by the smart library (e.g. comprehensive perceptions, intelligent analysis
capabilities, tailored and effective services), the authors propose that the smart library’s
technology integration framework can be divided into three layers: perceptual, computing
and communication, as illustrated in Figure 1.
Perceptual layer. The perceptual layer provides the foundation for the smart library. Its
technology includes wearable devices, sensors, cameras, RFID, iBeacon localization,
intelligent mobile terminal technology and body/audio recognition technology. They equip
the smart library with the capability to perceive library users and their behaviours. These

Figure 1.
Technology
integration
framework of the
smart library
 technologies can identify information and knowledge of various carriers in the library; and How to make
identify and record user behaviour. the library
Computing layer. The computing layer is the core of the smart library. Its technology
includes AI, data mining, cloud computing, intelligence filters and intelligence processing.
smart
They enable the smart library to mine and analyse user behaviour, so as to provide a
personalized service suited to each individual user. These technologies can predict user
needs according to user behaviour as identified by the perceptual layer; and ascertain and
satisfy users’ personalized needs through Big Data analysis.
819
Communication layer. The communication layer is a user-oriented service interface
through which users can best appreciate the smart library’s benefits and receive more
targeted services. Its technology includes information push technology, virtual reality
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technology and mobile internet technology. These technologies can create a fast channel to
connect information, the perceptual and computing layers, and users, so that users get
information in a timely manner; create multi-channel information transmission, using a
variety of terminals, so that users can quickly and easily access information; and selectively
push information specific to a particular audience, using information automation and
customized push.
The framework provides the capabilities of perceiving, analysing and serving users. Its
three layers of technologies strongly rely on each other and together fulfil the functions of a
smart library. They, respectively, play the role of perceiving library users, analysing users
and their behaviours and serving library users in a tailored way. Consequently, a library can
become smart with integrations of three layers of technologies. Additionally, the analysis of
users and their needs also enables spaces for developing the self-evolving capability of the
smart library.

Providing smart services

A smart library is not just a complex technology framework; it is also an enhanced service
concept with the goal of providing quality service and a good user experience. Consequently,
construction of the smart library’s services should adhere to the following principles:
Service leading principle. Although technology is essential to the smart library, service is
the intended outcome. In the IoT and cloud computing environment, resource utilization is
the smart library’s fundamental service.
Resource integration principle. Resource integration involves establishing a cross-system
application, cross-sectoral information sharing, cross-library switching interchange, cross-
media integration and a cross-library logistics service. A single reading card can browse
multiple library resources.
People-oriented principle. On the basis of resource integration, a smart library should
interconnect resources and people (both librarians and users).

Smart user cultivation and smart librarian education

Users and librarians are the pivotal human factors in the smart library. Strategies to
strengthen user cultivation and librarian education are as follows:
User cultivation. Based on their needs and skills, library users can be divided into three
categories: novice users, urgent-need-of-information users, and senior users, and each type
of user needs different cultivation strategies:
(1) Novice users. They have information needs, but do not have the awareness to find
information or do not have the initiative to utilize the library. The following
strategies can be adopted: First, a personalized user information quality training
 EL platform should be established to increase users’ information awareness and
36,5 abilities to use information technology. Moreover, it can enable the investigation
and analysis of their behaviours and associated influencing factors. Second, full
use should be made of the smart library’s technical advantages, such as by
designing animation games and other audio and video system functions. Third,
social media (e.g. microblogging) should be used to promote the smart library’s
820 function and role and to create basic user information awareness.
(2) Urgent-need-of-information user cultivation. They have a need to use information
in real time, but encounter difficulties in using the information and need to receive
some help. First, an integrated customer service monitoring system, using a
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variety of sensing technologies, should be developed to identify a user’s difficulties

and provide assistance. Second, special emergency rescue sites about information
access and use, such as Q&A, perceived and intelligent services, should be set up.
(3) Senior users. They have information needs and basic skills; they usually include
professionals, such as researchers, teachers and students. A good information
feedback mechanism should be established for this type of user to ensure, for
example, that users visit regularly, and it would keep abreast of changes in the
users’ individual needs and cultivate senior users’ long-term trust.

Librarian education. Johnson (2012, pp. 2-3) maintained that the smart librarian should have
the following characteristics: “level of qualification”, “affinity to life-long learning”, “social
and ethnic plurality”, “flexibility”, “creativity”, “cosmopolitanism/open-mindedness” and
“participation in public life”. Librarian education is important and requires various
strategies as follows:
 Focused on the training of librarians’ smart ability. The smart library is a new
library model, using many new technologies and platforms. Consequently, its
librarians not only need to embody professionalism but also have the capacity to
absorb knowledge rapidly. Therefore, five abilities should be cultivated: information
analysis, data mining, technology use, network security and knowledge absorption.
The smart library can hold meetings at which experienced librarians can learn from
one another.
 Establish librarians’ lifelong learning consciousness. A learning society is a future
social development goal. Learning will naturally become central to a smart library,
and librarians will need to establish a lifelong learning consciousness. To cultivate
this, librarians should reflect upon their own learning and combine self-
improvement with the promotion of the smart library. In addition, they should take
the initiative to learn, by, for example, developing a “community of knowledge
workers” and regularly sharing experiences. The management team should
facilitate librarians’ learning by organizing educational activities (Kassim, 2017).
This will create a highly “networked” team in which knowledge and skills are
reinforced and a multiplier effect is generated.

Discussion and conclusion

This paper has explored multiple conceptual dimensions of the smart library. Smart library
refers to an organic inter-connection among technological, service and human components.
Technology is the basic prerequisite of a smart library’s service because library service is
targeted at user needs and is human-oriented. Furthermore, the increasing needs of our
 users are the driving force behind the smart library. Libraries can improve their services via How to make
user participation, and they need librarians to operate various library technologies. In short, the library
these three components of the smart library are interdependent. In the smart library, two-
way sensing can be achieved: users can sense library resources and services, while sensory
smart
technology enables the library to sense users and their needs. This will allow the smart
library to constantly adapt to the increasing and diversified needs of users. The smart
library operates on two levels: first, it can, with the help of equipment, perceive the needs of
821
users and provide smart services for users; and second, through data mining, cloud
computing and other technologies, it allows the library to provide a personalized intelligent
service based on user information analysis. Drawing on these conceptual elements, the
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smart library can be defined as follows: a holistic approach to provide tailored and multi-
faceted library services to meet varying user needs, combining intelligent technology
(especially sensory technology) with continuous education of librarians and cultivation of
library users, enabling itself to have a self-adapting capability.
This paper also discussed the similarities and differences between smart libraries and
other new forms of libraries. These are somewhat similar as they depend on technology to
enhance services that allow users to access information without time and space constraints.
For example, the ubiquitous library (Bae et al., 2007; Kaske, 2004) and the mobile library
(Huang and Wang, 2011) both use technical means to provide services unconstrained by
time or space. The smart library has a similar service philosophy. However, as a more
advanced form of the existing library, the smart library differs from other library forms in
its technology, service and human dimensions. In relation to technology, the traditional
library is based on the manual technologies of printing and papermaking; while the new
emerging libraries, including digital libraries (Kovacevic et al., 2010; Nikolaidou et al., 2005),
hybrid libraries and intelligent libraries, are based on the information technology of
computers and networks. The smart library is based on the IoT, AI, virtual reality and other
intelligent technologies (Aittola et al., 2003; Wang, 2011). In relation to service, traditional
libraries mainly provide borrowing and return services. Digital, hybrid, intelligent and other
types of new libraries expand services to provide digital and personalized services, but these
services are usually based on the collection of resources or analysis of the reader’s historical
behaviour – they cannot perceive users’ real-time information needs, and hence lack smart
characteristics. In contrast, the smart library can perceive and meet the user’s dynamic
information needs, thereby providing services through smart processing. Moreover, to
improve user participation, the smart library can also provide leisure services. In relation to
the human dimension, traditional, digital, hybrid and intelligent libraries all take into
account technology and service factors but ignore human factors. The smart library,
however, considers humans as core components and emphasizes user cultivation and
librarians’ continuous training.
Only by building a complete basic theoretical system can practice be guided and
development directed. The theoretical contribution of this paper is that it clarifies the
concept of the smart library and extends the smart library’s core components to
multiple dimensions (i.e. technology, service and human). Furthermore, it offers an
overall solution for library innovation and development. It suggests strategic directions
that are aligned with the multiple dimensions to guide public and academic libraries
interested in becoming smart libraries. For example, a traditional library can become a
smart library by strategic design and implementation of advanced technologies, such
as cloud computing, data mining and AI; however, it also needs to consider the
construction of services, user cultivation and librarian training. Digital, intelligent,
 EL hybrid and blended libraries can transform to smart libraries by promoting services
36,5 and introducing advanced technologies.
Drawing on recent practices and theories, this paper suggests an overall approach to
building a smart library that relieves fierce competition from the internet and private search
engines by considering key components from the human, technological and service
dimensions. For future research, it is recommended to explore more detailed levels of the
822 newly created conceptual model of building a smart library. To that end, a research focus on
exemplary practices of smart library initiatives is to be encouraged.

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About the authors

Gaohui Cao is Associate Professor based in the School of Information Management, Central China
Normal University. His research interests include library service and library information system and
electronic archives.
Mengli Liang is a master student based in the School of Information Management, Central China
Normal University. Her research interest is social media studies and electronic library.
Xuguang Li is Associate Professor based in the School of Information Management, Central China
Normal University. His research interests include organizational information management, social
media studies, user generated contents and user innovation. Xuguang Li is the corresponding author
and can be contacted at: lee.xuguangli@qq.com

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