Read more
This open access book explores how national libraries digitally transform their processes and services by using artificial intelligence and shows how they integrate co-creation strategies and provide actionable insights and recommendations for policymakers and library managers to help shape the future of libraries. It is the result of the LibrarIN project, a Horizon Europe initiative focused on reimagining library services through social innovation and the co-creation of public value.
The book comprises three different parts. The first part focuses on the introduction, research design, and description of expectations. The second part consists of twelve in-depth illustrations of AI projects in national libraries of the European Union, associated countries, and the Library of Congress, United States. These case studies demonstrate how national libraries co-created the digital transformation of their services by including their stakeholders in the AI implementation steps to preserve the national values and heritage. The third part includes recommendations for implementation and provides insights into a “toolkit” for policymakers and innovators in libraries.
This book aims to build a bridge between research, practice, and policy. It is thus designed for a diverse audience, including library managers, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, offering both strategic insights and practical case studies on how AI can shape the future of libraries. Overall, it provides a comprehensive resource that supports the responsible and effective adoption of AI within the library ecosystem.
List of contents
Part I: Introduction.- Introduction, Research Design, Expectations.- Part II: In-Depth Case Illustrations of 12 AI Projects in National Libraries.- Applying AI to increase cultural accessibility: The postcard project at the Royal Danish Library.- Automated subject cataloguing at the German National Library.- AI-supported automated subject indexing and meta data management with Annif and Finto AI at the National Library of Finland.- Visual Discovery through AI: Unlocking the Postcard Archive at the National Library of Sweden.- From Data to AI-based Discovery: The Maken Project at the National Library of Norway.- The Retrocatalography Project: Combing AI with the Microsoft Power platform at the Belgian National Library.- AI for Access: Strategic Innovation at the Dutch National Library.- How to make millions of documents accessible through AI and a digital library? The case of Gallica at the French National Library.- From Metadata to Meaning: Applying AI in the National Library of Estonia.- Implementing AI in the National Library of Spain: The ETSO Project and Stylometric Analysis of Golden Age Theater.- Accessing 19th Century Library Collection with the “Living with Machines” project at the British Library.- Exploring computational descriptions for meta-data creation for e-books at the Library of Congress.- Part III: Recommendations.- Recommendations for AI implementation in Libraries.- Innovating Libraries: The LibrarIN Toolkit for Policy and Practice.
About the author
Ines Mergel is Professor of Public Administration at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz and a Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration. She is also a founding member of the international initiative Teaching Public Service in the Digital Age, which aims to integrate digital skills into the teaching and training of public managers. As part of this initiative, she was appointed a Schmidt Futures Innovation Fellow in 2022.
Carsten Schmidt is Researcher at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz. Experienced in judicial and digital governance, he served as a Senior Judicial Officer and contributed to national e-Justice working groups. At the Ministry of Justice NRW, Germany, he worked on strategic IT planning and European e-Justice initiatives, participating in EU expert groups and the Council’s e-Law working party. He led several large-scale pilot EU projects advancing cross-border digital services.
Summary
This open access book explores how national libraries digitally transform their processes and services by using artificial intelligence and shows how they integrate co-creation strategies and provide actionable insights and recommendations for policymakers and library managers to help shape the future of libraries. It is the result of the LibrarIN project, a Horizon Europe initiative focused on reimagining library services through social innovation and the co-creation of public value.
The book comprises three different parts. The first part focuses on the introduction, research design, and description of expectations. The second part consists of twelve in-depth illustrations of AI projects in national libraries of the European Union, associated countries, and the Library of Congress, United States. These case studies demonstrate how national libraries co-created the digital transformation of their services by including their stakeholders in the AI implementation steps to preserve the national values and heritage. The third part includes recommendations for implementation and provides insights into a “toolkit” for policymakers and innovators in libraries.
This book aims to build a bridge between research, practice, and policy. It is thus designed for a diverse audience, including library managers, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, offering both strategic insights and practical case studies on how AI can shape the future of libraries. Overall, it provides a comprehensive resource that supports the responsible and effective adoption of AI within the library ecosystem.
