Chatbots and Virtual Assistants for Library Outreach: Extending Services beyond Physical Premises

Ashim Talukdar () and Mallika Dey ()
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Ashim Talukdar: Gauhati University, Department of Library and Information Science
Mallika Dey: Gauhati University, Department of Library and Information Science

A chapter in Proceedings of the International Conference on Marching Beyond the Libraries: Talent, Technology, and Transformation (ICMBL 2025), 2026, pp 58-65 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The digital age is growing with the introduction of computer systems and digital networks. With the increased use of the World Wide Web and Internet Technology Development, libraries have come to everybody’s door-step. Libraries in the digital age serve as the facilitators of knowledge, bridging the gap between information and users through technology. The large-scale integration of AI and Machine Learning has led to the change in the traditional library practices into a new dimension which has access to sophisticated research tools and automatic information retrieval systems, enhancing the level of interaction and efficiency. The applications of AI are limitless, ranging from education to even library services. The application of computer program has also improved library services to a great extent. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants are such computer programs which simulates human communication by interacting with the client and giving the required feedback. The use of Chatbots and Virtual Assistants can usher a new paradigm in the field of Library and Information Science in the areas such as Information Retrieval, User Engagement, and Reference Services. This paper investigates into these matters and explores the significance, variety, challenges, and complications of these technologies.

Keywords: Chatbots; Virtual Assistants; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Natural Language Processing; Digitization; Digital Library (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6239-614-2_8

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