Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Initiatives for Academic Librarians in the Fifth Industrial Revolution: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In Light of the extensive emergence of disruptive technologies that catalyze the fifth industrial revolution (5IR), academic libraries have experienced a significant transformation, which has concurrently altered the responsibilities of academic librarians. With the advent of disruptive technologies, library and information services are now accessible globally, contingent upon a users connection to the internet of Things. To remain pertinent within the context of 5IR, it is imperative for academic librarians to enhance their skill sets. The study posits that such skill enhancement can be achieved through continuous professional development. CPD initiatives encompass various formats, including workshops, both internal and external training programs, conferences, job shadowing, mentoring and focus groups. The methodological approach employed in this paper is an analytical review of the literature pertinent to CPD initiatives for academic librarians in the context of the fifth industrial revolution. To achieve these aims, the study employed a systematic Literature review (SLR) methodology. This involved a structured and transparent process of identifying, selecting, and synthesizing peer-reviewed literature relevant to CPD in the context of industry 5.0. Inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2015 and 2024, specifically addressing CPD in academic libraries and technological competencies. After applying rigorous screening and eligibility criteria a total of 42 studies were selected from an initial pool of 146 academic sources. The paper dwell on continuous professional development (CPD) initiatives as a mechanism for academic librarians to engage with the fifth industrial revolution, key areas of CPD for academic librarians in industry 5.0, CPD initiatives for academic librarians in the fifth industrial revolution, types of knowledge and skills acquired by academic librarians in continuous professional development(CPD) in the era of the fifth industrial revolution, benefits for academic librarians in continuous professional development(CPD) in the fifth industrial revolution, challenges of academic librarians in continuous professionals development (CPD) to engage with the fifth industrial revolution, conclusion and recommendations were made on how to optimize the benefits of CPD for academic librarians in the 5IR