As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes knowledge management, Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT) has released its Pulse of the Library 2025 report, a global study examining how libraries are responding to rapid change—from AI and open science to shifting geopolitical realities.
The findings show that AI adoption among libraries continues to rise, with 67% now exploring or implementing AI tools, up from 63% in 2024. While many libraries remain in early stages, the number of active adopters is growing—especially where AI literacy and institutional support are embedded in library culture.
Libraries Enter the Age of AI
The 2025 edition of the report, based on responses from more than 2,000 librarians across 109 countries, highlights a growing maturity in how libraries understand and apply AI.
“Our second Pulse of the Library report points to growing maturity in library approaches to AI, and an increase in the number of early adopters since last year,” said Oren Beit-Arie, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Academia & Government at Clarivate. “Libraries that invest in literacy report greater confidence and will be better positioned to leverage AI for a range of uses, including to increase efficiencies to leave more time for important strategic and creative tasks.”
The report underscores that AI readiness correlates strongly with literacy and leadership support:
- 28% of libraries in moderate or active AI implementation include AI literacy in training or onboarding.
- 23.3% provide dedicated time and resources for AI learning.
- 24.2% have managers actively encouraging professional development around AI.
These libraries demonstrate higher confidence, optimism, and tangible progress in applying AI to workflows, cataloging, and data management.
Regional and Role-Based Insights
Regional differences in AI adoption are becoming more pronounced.
- Asia and Europe continue to lead, with 37–40% of libraries now in the implementation phase or beyond—up from 14–16% in 2024.
- The U.S. lags behind in both adoption and optimism, with only 7% of U.S. respondents expressing strong confidence in AI’s benefits compared to 27–31% in Asia, Mainland China, and other regions.
Perception gaps also persist between senior and junior staff:
- Senior librarians tend to prioritize operational efficiency and demonstrate higher confidence in AI terminology—43% rate themselves “very confident,” compared to 36% of junior librarians.
Core Missions Remain, but Priorities Shift
Despite technological disruption, the core missions of libraries remain consistent. The most notable change was seen among academic libraries, where student engagement emerged as the top focus area for 2025 (40%), overtaking traditional metrics such as collections management.
However, budget constraints continue to challenge library leaders, particularly in the U.S. and North America, where half expect cuts to collections amid geopolitical and economic pressures.
Supporting the Global Library Community
“Librarians play a leading role in sharing knowledge and building connections within their communities,” said John Chrastka, Executive Director at EveryLibrary. “This report will help support library and information professionals worldwide as they navigate challenges and opportunities.”
The Pulse of the Library 2025 builds on Clarivate’s 2024 inaugural report, offering actionable insights and global benchmarks for libraries striving to balance innovation with accessibility and inclusion.
Methodology
The 2025 survey was conducted online between June and July 2025, in partnership with Library Journal, and promoted across academic, public, and national library networks via email, listservs, and social channels. To ensure accessibility, the survey was available in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
- Responses analyzed: 2,032
- Countries/regions represented: 109
- Academic libraries: 77% of respondents
- U.S.-based participants: 46%
Data analysis was conducted with TBI Communications, alongside qualitative interviews led by Clarivate’s research team.
The Takeaway
Clarivate’s Pulse of the Library 2025 confirms a clear trend: libraries are not just experimenting with AI—they are strategically integrating it into their missions. The libraries that combine AI literacy, leadership engagement, and structured training are emerging as the true innovators, using AI to free up time for creative, human-centered tasks that define the next era of knowledge services.
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