Abstract
The swift emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the ways that libraries
operate and provide their services with the scholarly focus slowly shifting from
generative AI (GenAI) to autonomous or agentic AI and intelligent automation. While
the applications of GenAI usually involve responding to user queries, an autonomous AI
agent has the ability to plan, coordinate, and perform multi-stage tasks with little
involvement of a person. This conceptual paper reviews the applications, problems,
strategies for responsible deployment, and implications of autonomous AI agents and
smart automation in library service delivery. Using contemporary literature, the paper
evaluates their possible applications in reference and research services, collection
management, cataloging, acquisitions, circulation, interlibrary loans, scheduling, and
administration. The paper also addresses the technology, organization, human, ethical,
and governance problems related to their deployment and suggests strategies for their
responsible adoption. The paper presents a conceptual framework associating AI
readiness, autonomous AI and smart automation, human-AI collaboration, and AI
governance for responsible use to library services that are effective and future-oriented.
The paper states that the usefulness of an autonomous AI system should not only be
judged from its degree of automation but also from its ability to enable professional
practice and efficiency as well as user-oriented library services.
Keywords: Autonomous Artificial Intelligence, Agentic AI, Smart Automation, Human–
AI Collaboration, Effective Library Services.
Publication Date: 2026-10-31