Date of this Version
4-1-2026
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose In this paper, the author will explore the nature of predictive intelligence developed in modern libraries as part of the overall progression of libraries toward Library 5.0. It aims to give a conceptual clarity of what predictive services are, how they have been influenced by technology and ethics, and how they fit into existing traditions of librarianship.
Design/methodology/approach This paper utilizes a qualitative, conceptual literature review method as a scholarly inquiry. Approximately 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and institutional reports published after 2018 and before 2025 were purposively sampled from leading databases in library and information science and information systems. Thematic analysis was then followed by inductive thematic analysis to synthesize and interpret the major patterns and themes.
Findings The available literature indicates that predictive intelligence, which is enabled with the help of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral analytics, is used mainly as a decision-support system in libraries. Though predictive services are often suggested to contribute to individualization and operational planning, the empirical evidence remains disjointed and context-dependent.
Originality/value The article provides a substantive guide to library leadership and practice, clarifying how predictive technologies can be reconciled with fundamental professional principles, high standards of professional ethics, and unique abilities of the institution.
