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This paper focuses on the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic library operations. In the quest to render fast, effective and efficient services, academic libraries have adopted different technologies in the past. Artificial intelligence technologies is the latest among the technologies currently being introduced in libraries. The technology which is considered an intelligent system, come in the form of robots and expert systems which have natural language processing, machine learning and pattern recognition capabilities. This paper examined the features of AI, the application of AI to library operations, examples of academic libraries with AI technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, the need for AI in libraries and the challenges associated with the adoption of AI in libraries. The study concluded that AI holds a lot of prospects for the improvement of information services delivery in African academic libraries. Consequently, its adoption is a sinequanon to delivering robust library services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The paper examined the university library in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the preconditions for achieving and sustaining the same in Nigeria. 4IR is characterized by a level of automation, deployment of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, internet connectivity and accessibility to the global information network, subscription to reputable online databases, quality and comprehensive collection in diverse formats, preponderance of digital natives among patrons, increased demand for seamless access to online resources and virtual operations, new library spaces (learning commons, research commons and makerspace), open scholarly communication, research data management, social mediation applications, digital curation and preservation. The challenges militating against effective crystallization of 4IR university libraries include: financial constraints, inad- equate infrastructure, resistance to change, inadequate skills and competencies, security and intrusion issues, lack of exposure to international standards. Conclusions: The paper recommended the following as requisite panacea: leadership, demonstrating and justifying returns on investment, benchmarking practices, anti-intrusion and back-up systems, adequate power supply and bandwidth, endowment and corporate social responsibility, indigenous library management software, and capacity building initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic Thesis and Dissertations (ETD) have been around for more than a decade now and were initiated as a means of collecting, sharing, disseminating, and archiving research outputs from academic institutions. Even before ETDs, institutions of higher learning have been collecting and archiving this type of scholarly outputs manually. While most thesis remain unpublished, this knowledge produced is almost constant as it is (in most universities) a requirement when research students graduate. In sub-Saharan Africa, it has been established that there is low research output when compared to the rest of the world. Yet, there are many universities in Africa who produce post-graduate students who submit ETDs and these are not visible or most never turn into research papers. As in the rest of this world, African universities have established institutional repositories in academic libraries to help preserve the institution’s intellectual property and to increase the institution’s visibility (global rankings) and prestige. It is uncommon to have either a dedicated ETD collection in an institutional repository or a stand-alone ETD repository. This purpose of this study was to establish the research output and visibility of scholarly research produced by the higher education institutions in South Africa and specifically focus on the ETDs. This study has both qualitative and employs pre-dominantly the desk-study and intensive literature review. The study discovered that all 23 South African universities have ETD collections and three have dedicated ETD repositories. The rate of deposit does not match the graduation levels and the visibility of these ETD require an institutional priority. The paper concludes by proposing an in-depth survey to understand the emerging issues from this present study. This is the first part of the 2-part study, the second part interviews the ETD managers or repository managers to closely verify the issues raised or discovered in the first part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to help librarians interested in developing a basic understanding of Sub-Saharan African cinema and increase awareness of the resources available when building a collection of sub-Saharan African films for their library. A general review is provided to help become familiar with the history and nature of the four regions discussed. Design/methodology/approach - A collection development project to expand a mid-sized university's collection of sub-Saharan African films is discussed. Includes brief historical information and core titles, selected for their historical role and/or ease of purchase. Findings - A list of core films is recommended for academic and public libraries representing four geographic regions of sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, West Africa, and East Africa. Research limitations/implications - Unfortunately, many of the titles referenced in academic literature and winners of African film awards are not available for purchase outside of Africa, making it impossible to accomplish our goal of collecting a core list as intended. Practical implications - The paper increases awareness of African cinema and value inclusion in library collections. Originality/value - While there are general articles on the topic of African cinema, there are no recent articles on the topic of collecting African films for libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]