Clarivate Plc has released the Pulse of the Library 2025 report, revealing that libraries with structured AI literacy programs are advancing more confidently in adopting artificial intelligence technologies.
The Pulse of the Library 2025 report, based on responses from more than 2,000 librarians across academic, national, and public libraries worldwide, provides a current view of how libraries are adapting to rapid technological and geopolitical changes. It highlights growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), open science initiatives, and evolving operational challenges within the library sector.
The findings indicate that 67% of libraries are now exploring or implementing AI tools, up from 63% in 2024. While many institutions remain in the early stages of evaluation, those that have moved forward with implementation report higher levels of optimism and confidence as they progress. The report shows that AI adoption is significantly more advanced in libraries where AI literacy is incorporated into formal training or onboarding (28%), where time and resources are specifically allocated for AI development (23.3%), or where managers actively support staff in developing AI-related skills (24.2%).
Clarivate’s analysis highlights a developing maturity in how libraries approach AI adoption, with early adopters reporting growing confidence and readiness to leverage AI for improved efficiency and creative strategy. The data suggests that investment in AI literacy and professional development is directly linked to greater institutional confidence in applying AI to everyday operations and long-term planning.
Regional differences remain pronounced. Libraries in Asia and Europe are progressing faster in implementation, with 37–40% now in initial or advanced stages compared with 14–16% in 2024. In contrast, the United States shows slower adoption and lower optimism about AI’s benefits, with only 7% expressing positive expectations compared with 27–31% in Asia, Mainland China, and other regions.
The report also identifies role-based perception gaps. Senior librarians more frequently emphasize operational efficiency as the key objective of AI adoption and demonstrate higher confidence in AI terminology, with 43% rating themselves at the top confidence levels compared with 36% of junior librarians.
Core library missions have remained largely unchanged since 2024, with academic libraries shifting their primary focus toward student engagement, now cited by 40% of respondents. Budget constraints continue to challenge many institutions, particularly in North America, where half of respondents anticipate cuts to collections due to ongoing geopolitical and economic pressures.
The report underscores the central role of librarians in guiding communities through digital transformation and information access. Drawing on input from professionals in 109 countries and regions, it builds on the first edition released in 2024 and offers actionable insights for libraries seeking to enhance AI readiness and sustain open, equitable knowledge ecosystems.
The online survey was conducted from June to July 2025 in partnership with Library Journal, reaching participants through email, social media, listservs, and website outreach. It was available in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Data analysis was completed with the support of TBI Communications and supplemented by qualitative interviews conducted by Clarivate. A total of 2,032 valid responses were analyzed, with academic libraries representing 77% of participants and U.S.-based respondents accounting for 46%.
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