Neural networks in libraries: A new development in bibliographic services

Abstract

Based on the review of professional literature and selected monitoring of Russian and foreign library websites, the author introduces readers to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for bibliographic services. She focuses on artificial neural networks as one of the most popular AI instruments. In particular, she discusses practical experiences of using AI in bibliographic services and supporting library and information areas, including information indexing. The author provides examples to demonstrate the AI potential for higher quality and performance in bibliographic and user services, e. g. interaction with users through chat bots, advanced bibliographic search, references, personalized information awareness services, etc. The AI instruments including neural networks are also used for metadata extraction and bibliographic records generation. Today, library chat bots and text intellectual analysis systems are the most developed services. The findings of the study demonstrate that AI technologies enable to accomplish user bibliographic services, though not all AI benefits and drawbacks have been revealed yet. The author suggests that expanding AI sphere would enable to improve quality and efficiency of bibliographic services, competences of bibliographers, and to introduce new types and forms of bibliographic services. The article is prepared within the framework of R&D “The model of reference and bibliographic services for the national libraries” (reg. No. 122021800339-7) of the Russian State Library.