Journal of Web Librarianship

Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT promise to revolutionize library services in coming years. While there has been much speculation as to the potential positive and negative impacts of these technologies, further work is needed to fully understand how they may be used to advance the mission of libraries. This special issue seeks both theory-driven and practitioner-oriented articles, as well as viewpoint pieces, that explore the intersection of emerging generative AI technologies and the professional ethics and values of librarianship and mission of libraries, as outlined by policy documents such as the American Library Association’s (2021) Code of Ethics and the Association for Information Science and Technology’s (2023) Professional Guidelines. Articles should focus on a specific type of library (e.g., academic, public, special, archives) or a specific library or library system, and one specific application of generative AI, while connecting these AI innovations to one or more professional value or ethical standard of library service.

Topics: Original research, practitioner-oriented, and viewpoint articles submitted to this special issue may explore the above issues in relation to any of the following digital library topics:

• Digitization: AI technologies may accelerate the capacity and enhance the quality with which materials are digitized. Articles in this focus area may include case studies of utilizing AI-based tools for supporting digitization efforts and surveys of digitization librarians and archivists regarding their opinions of AI usage, among other topics.
• Information Retrieval: Online catalogs and search interfaces are likely to be some of the most significant technologies impacted by the emergence of generative AI. Articles in this focus area may explore current applications of AI in library catalogs and search interfaces and the impact of AI-enhanced search engines like Bing on library users, among other topics.
• Metadata and Cataloging: Generative AI may be able to assist catalogers and metadata specialists by producing efficient and effective metadata and proposing schemes that will better link resources. Articles in this focus area may include theoretical discussions on the future of cataloging and AI, and studies of automatic classification of resources within a library context, among other topics.
• Personalization of Digital Library Interactions: Rather than simply providing a generic interface for users, digital libraries that employ generative AI technologies may be able to engage patrons by offering real-time interactions with chatbots and adaptive searching features. Articles in this focus area may explore the practical uses of chatbots on library websites or the user satisfaction with adaptive search features, among other topics.
• Impact on Information Literacy: AI is likely to impact how users interact with information. Articles in this focus area may explore how AI influences user engagement with information, user evaluations of AI-generated content, user information-seeking behavior relative to AI usage, and the role of librarians in educating and supporting users in effectively navigating AI-generated information.
• Related topics at the intersection of digital libraries, generative AI, and professional values and ethics.

When accepted, papers will be shared immediately via the “latest articles,” ensuring opportunity for early access and citation. The final special issue will be published with all articles in September, 2024.

Authors who wish to inquire as the possible fit of their manuscript for the special issue may contact the Guest Editor at [email protected]. Those interested in serving as reviewers for this special issue are also encouraged to contact the Guest Editor at the same address.

Submissions of Expression of Interest (encouraged, but not required): November 15, 2024
Full paper submission: March 1, 2024
Notification of decision: May 15, 2024
Revised submission: June 15, 2024
Final acceptance notification: July 15, 2024
Final version of paper: July 23, 2024
Publication: September, 2024

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