Using internet things in information service in the Egyptian academic libraries: A study of Reality and planning for the future

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is one of the tremendous technological developments in the current era. It refers to the use of intelligently connected devices and systems to leverage data gathered by embedded sensors and actuators in machines and other physical objects. IoT is expected to spread rapidly over the coming years as it will unleash a new dimension of services that improve the quality of life and productivity of enterprises.  Hence, many countries aim to benefit from these technologies in various aspects of life in general and libraries and information institutions in particular. So, the current study sheds light on the ways of benefitting from (IoT) in developing and upgrading the services of Egyptian academic libraries and how to transform them into smart information institutions. It also identifies the readiness of libraries to adopt and apply (IoT) technologies. In addition, the study measures the readiness of libraries librarians to adopt the concept of smart libraries.

In this regard, the study adopted the descriptive and analytical approach, using a set of tools, the most important of which are the questionnaire and the checklist. The study population included some of the Egyptian academic libraries in government universities representing the sectors of Greater Cairo, Delta, Central and Northern Upper Egypt, in addition to some libraries of private foreign universities at Egypt, namely (German University Library - British University Library - Canadian University Library).