A Review: Application and Impact of Blockchain Technology on the Library

ABSTRACT As libraries adapt to the digital age and the challenges posed by the evolving information landscape, adopting emerging technologies becomes paramount. With its reputation for security, transparency, and decentralization, blockchain technology has come to light as a potentially revolutionary instrument that might completely change library services and operations. This review paper explores how blockchain has been applied and adopted to suit libraries, shedding light on its transformative capabilities and its benefits. It begins with an introduction to blockchain technology, characterized by critical features and historical context. It then delves into specific use cases within libraries, ranging from cataloguing and metadata management to digital asset preservation and copyright management. Real‐world case studies and examples are presented to illustrate the practical implementation of blockchain in libraries and their consortia. While blockchain technology holds great potential, this article also identifies the implementation obstacles that libraries may encounter, such as budgetary constraints, issues with scalability, and compliance with regulations. Ethical and privacy considerations are examined, emphasizing the need to protect patron data and ensure responsible usage of blockchain technology in a library environment. Additionally, this research review outlines the many advantages and possibilities that blockchain offers libraries, including increased user trust, decreased fraud, and flexibility to accommodate changing user requirements.