Librarians from across Ghana gathered at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) this week for the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies can transform library services.
The two-day event, themed “Innovating for Impact: Libraries in the Age of AI and Social Technologies,” drew academics, industry leaders, and library professionals eager to shape the future of information services in Ghana.
The Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Hawa Osman, in a welcome address urged participants to embrace AI tools and digital innovations to enhance efficiency and service delivery in libraries.
“Our libraries must evolve to meet the demands of the digital age,” she said, encouraging librarians to network, learn, and share experiences.
Key insights from experts
Professor Lydia Aziato described the library as the “heart of learning” in any academic institution.
She highlighted the need for librarians to collaborate with IT units, adopt ethical AI practices, and promote early literacy initiatives.
Drawing from her experience in Canada, Prof. Aziato emphasized how librarians can empower students with skills in research, referencing, and information synthesis.
Guest speaker Dr. Monica Mensah-Danquah encouraged librarians to pursue continuous professional growth, describing the AGM theme as a “wake-up call” to innovate, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
AI in action
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Michael Ato Essuman, Board Chair of Ghana Library Authority, emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and social technologies in libraries. He described it as a “profound honour” to participate in the AGM and praised the theme, “Innovating for Impact: Libraries in the Age of AI and Social Technologies,” as both timely and essential.
Dr. Essuman noted that for centuries, libraries were defined by their collections, but today they must be defined by their connections. AI, he explained, is not a threat to librarians’ jobs, but a powerful assistant for their tasks. Automated metadata generation, AI-driven reference services, and predictive algorithms, he stated, allow librarians to focus on curation, ethical guidance, and understanding user needs roles that technology cannot replace.
He also highlighted the power of social technologies in expanding libraries’ reach. Platforms like WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and educational streaming services can be used to host virtual literacy clubs, micro-learning sessions, and national reading campaigns, helping libraries connect with remote students, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals.
Dr. Essuman, urged librarians to use these tools to teach critical thinking and design thinking, positioning libraries as “the essential third space” where people can navigate information, discern truth from misinformation, and engage meaningfully with their communities. He concluded by calling for upskilling, experimentation with new digital tools, and leadership in ethical AI and digital literacy, stating, “The future of knowledge and the intellectual resilience of Ghana rests on our ability to innovate now.”
Looking ahead
Participants shared excitement about the practical applications of AI in libraries, from automated cataloging to digital reference services, and pledged to implement innovative solutions in their institutions. The AGM closed with a renewed commitment to collaboration, professional development, and advancing Ghana’s library sector in an era of rapid technological change.
