1. Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science, Madhav University, Abu Road, Rajasthan, India
2. Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Madhav University, Abu Road, Rajasthan, India
* Corresponding author.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22067892
Received: 12 Aug. 2026 / Revised: 13 Aug. 2026 / Accepted: 13 Aug. 2026 / Published: 23 Aug. 2026
Libraries without borders, library and information science, digital library, artificial intelligence, open access, information literacy, digital divide, digital transformation
The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies has transformed library and information science from traditional print-based services into globally connected knowledge systems. Libraries without borders now integrate digital repositories, electronic resources, cloud computing, open access, artificial intelligence, virtual reference services, data management, and resource-sharing networks to provide equitable access beyond geographical, temporal, linguistic, and socioeconomic barriers. This study analyses global changes, challenges, and opportunities in library and information science through document analysis and descriptive and analytical methods, using official and scholarly sources. Emerging technologies offer significant opportunities through AI, digital preservation, multilingual information retrieval, and virtual services. However, the digital divide, copyright, privacy, cybersecurity, AI bias, misinformation, linguistic disparities, and changing professional skills remain major concerns. Despite 68% global Internet connectivity in 2024, 2.6 billion people remained offline, highlighting persistent inequalities. The study concludes that libraries without borders must remain inclusive, ethical, multilingual, and rights-based, while librarians increasingly serve as information evaluators, digital and AI literacy educators, research supporters, privacy advocates, and knowledge mediators.
Keywords: Libraries without borders, library and information science, digital library, artificial intelligence, open access, information literacy, digital divide, digital transformation, information retrieval, global knowledge network.
Kapatel, P. N., & Vaja, D. B. L. (2026). Libraries without Borders: An analysis of global changes, challenges and new opportunities in library and information science. TRB Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (TRBJMR), 1(1), 7–19. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22067892