(9 Sep 2026) Clarivate Plc, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today released the Pulse of the Library 2026 report. Now in its third year, the global survey examines how libraries are responding to technological change, including AI, shifting priorities and growing demands on staff and resources.
The findings reveal that Mainland China recorded the highest level of AI implementation, with 28% reporting moderate to active implementation, more than double the rate in 2024 and well above the 16% global figure.
The report also shows a widening gap between libraries moving beyond experimentation with AI and those still in the earliest stages of AI adoption. 51% of libraries in active implementation operate under joint library and IT governance, against 26% of the sample overall, signaling the importance of structured governance models and interdepartmental collaboration.
Other key findings from the report include:
- Concerns are evolving as implementation advances. Privacy and security, misinformation and bias in AI outputs have emerged as leading concerns for librarians. Libraries pursuing AI implementation often report more concerns than non-adopters, suggesting that increased engagement brings greater awareness of both risks and opportunities.
- Staff productivity becomes a leading objective for AI. As libraries face shifting demands, increasing workloads and expanding responsibilities, many are exploring AI as a way to increase capacity and support staff efficiency. 58% of respondents identified staff productivity as a primary goal for AI initiatives. Academic libraries continue to prioritize student learning, while also reporting increased interest in operational gains.
- Libraries continue to balance multiple priorities. Beyond AI, respondents highlighted ongoing challenges related to open science, open educational resources, library funding, research support and evolving user needs. The findings point to a sector navigating significant change while continuing to support teaching, learning and research.
Find out more here.
