Metaverse literacy among Gulf region librarians: Understanding immersive technology adoption and perceptions

This study aims to investigate the current landscape of immersive technologies and metaverse literacy among librarians in the Gulf region, exploring their familiarity, perceptions, and potential impact on library services. A cross-sectional design was adopted, utilizing a comprehensive survey questionnaire distributed to library professionals in six Gulf countries. The survey collected data on participants’ familiarity with immersive technologies, perceived importance of metaverse literacy, and barriers to adoption. The findings indicate a significant level of familiarity among librarians with immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual environments (VEs). There is a consensus among participants regarding the importance of metaverse literacy for providing relevant and up-to-date library services. Despite this recognition, various barriers to adoption were identified, including cost, lack of expertise, privacy concerns, and technical limitations.