Conversational AI Chatbots in library research: An integrative review and future research agenda

Abstract

The growing role of conversational AI Chatbots continues to change the library and information service landscape. Chatbots are replacing some of the library services that humans conventionally perform. In the era of instant evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), the role of Chatbots in libraries keeps expanding and acquiring more experience. This paper aims to examine the extant research on library Chatbots using an integrative literature review (ILR) approach. Empirical and non-empirical papers from the Scopus database to ascertain what is already known about the topic. Forty papers (articles and conference papers) were scrutinized for further analysis. The leading emergent themes in the literature were (1) The evolution of Chatbots technology in libraries, (2) Antecedents for Chatbot use in libraries, (3) User experience with Chatbot use in libraries, (4) Chatbot use in libraries amidst COVID-19, and (5) Challenges facing Chatbot use in libraries. Research on Chatbots in library services is still embryonic and has only begun to flourish. Nevertheless, there is still a significant research gap despite its surging curve. The findings of this integrative review contribute to the body of knowledge on the nexus between artificial intelligence and library operations. It also furnishes academics and practitioners with six potential directions for future research opportunities.