Measuring IoT Preparedness in University Libraries: A Study from Central Gujarat

The Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping academic library operations through automation, real-time monitoring, and improved resource management. This study investigates IoT readiness across 50 universities in Central Gujarat using a multi-dimensional framework evaluating awareness, infrastructure, skilled personnel, administrative support, and perceived challenges. Results show strong awareness (96%) and moderate implementation (70%), with RFID systems and biometric access as the most common tools. Key barriers include high costs (94%), limited ICT expertise (72%), and LMS integration challenges (40%). Chi-square analysis confirmed significant differences in IoT tool adoption (χ² = 30.28, p < 0.001). Findings highlight positive perceptions of IoT’s impact on security, workload reduction, and user satisfaction, but also reveal workforce skill gaps. The paper proposes a tiered roadmap for short-, medium-, and long-term IoT adoption, emphasising infrastructure upgrades, capacity building, and continuous performance monitoring to ensure sustainable implementation. This study also provides directions for comparative studies across regions in India to strengthen generalizability