The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its Existential Threats in Ghanaian University Libraries

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is reshaping the roles and obligations of librarians globally. This has spurred a fundamental reassessment and the acquisition of new skills by librarians to provide efficient services. This research aimed to assess the existential challenges Ghanaian university libraries encountered with the advent of the 4IR. The opinions of 218 librarians from nine Ghanaian universities were collected by employing a quantitative research approach. The findings revealed that 4IR presents a potential danger to the job security of library staff in Ghanaian university libraries. Additionally, insufficient technical proficiency of librarians in 4IR technologies may hinder their ability to perform effectively. The results also highlighted inadequate infrastructure, unorganised technology adoption strategies, and f inancial limitations as primary obstacles affecting the integration of 4IR technologies in Ghanaian university libraries. To mitigate the adverse effects of 4IR, the study recommends regular enhancement of librarians’ competencies to manage 4IR technologies effectively