The potential of GPTs for enhanced information access and user services at academic libraries

Generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) hold the promise of revolutionizing information access and user services. The purpose of this study is to examine the possible uses and applications of GPTs in academic libraries. One important objective is to investigate how GPTs can improve information access and user services within academic library environments. In this research, 10 information specialists from academic libraries in Oman were interviewed using a semi-structured interview design. The results highlighted an in-depth understanding of the underlying potential of GPTs in academic libraries and their challenges. GPTs can enhance users’ experience by facilitating an interactive user-based language information retrieval model. They can also support library technical operations. However, there are also challenges related to information quality and reliability, as well as ethical considerations mainly related to user data privacy and security. These insights, coming from information specialists, can contribute to advancing future integration frameworks that enforce the regulation, integration, and use of information.