Transforming Academic Libraries:
Artificial Intelligence, Open Science, and the Future of Information Research and Practice
About the Special Issue
Academic libraries are experiencing unprecedented transformation as artificial intelligence (AI), open science initiatives, and emerging digital research practices reshape the scholarly communication landscape. These developments are redefining how information is created, discovered, managed, shared, and preserved, while also creating new opportunities and challenges for researchers, librarians, and information professionals.
This special issue of Academic Librarianship and Information Research seeks to advance scholarly understanding of the evolving role of academic libraries in an increasingly data-driven and technology-enabled research ecosystem. We invite original contributions that examine how AI, open science, digital scholarship, and innovative information practices are influencing the future of academic librarianship and information research. The special issue aims to provide a forum for theoretical, empirical, and practice-based research that enhances our understanding of emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities facing academic libraries worldwide.
Topics of Interest
Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Digital transformation and innovation in academic libraries
- User experience (UX), accessibility, and inclusive information services
- Artificial intelligence and generative AI applications in academic libraries
- Ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI in libraries
-AI-supported reference services, research support, and information literacy
- Algorithmic transparency, bias, privacy, and trust in information systems
- Open science, open access, and scholarly communication
- Research data management, data stewardship, and data literacy
- Digital scholarship and emerging research methodologies
- Information retrieval, discovery systems, and knowledge organization
- Research evaluation, bibliometrics, altmetrics, and responsible metrics
- The evolving roles of academic librarians and information professionals
Authors are also encouraged to submit manuscripts addressing other innovative topics that align with the theme of the special issue.
Types of Contributions
The special issue welcomes:
Original research articles
Review papers
Theoretical and conceptual studies
Case studies
Short communications
Practice-based reports
This special issue will be of interest to:
- Academic library professionals
- Information professionals
- Library and information science researchers
- Research support specialists
- Library and information managers
- Faculty members and educators in LIS programs
- Scholars interested in AI, open science, and scholarly communication
Important Dates
Call for Papers Announcement: August 2026
Optional Abstract Submission: October 15, 2026
Full Manuscript Submission Deadline: January 15, 2027
First Round Review Decisions: March 15, 2027
Revised Manuscript Submission: April 15, 2027
Final Acceptance Notifications: May 15, 2027
Expected Publication of Special Issue: June 2027
Submission Guidelines
- Originality
- Submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Peer Review
All submissions will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. Authors should ensure that all identifying information is removed from the manuscript prior to submission.
Manuscript Preparation
Manuscripts should be prepared according to the journal's author guidelines, available at: https://jlib.ut.ac.ir/journal/authors.note?lang=en
Submission Process
Authors should submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system: https://jlib.ut.ac.ir
When submitting, please indicate "Special Issue: Transforming Academic Libraries: Artificial Intelligence, Open Science, and the Future of Information Research" in both the submission form and the cover letter.
Open Access Policy
Academic Librarianship and Information Research is a fully open-access journal. All published articles are freely available to readers worldwide immediately upon publication. No Article Processing Charges (APCs) are required.
About the Journal
Academic Librarianship and Information Research is a peer-reviewed, open-access quarterly journal published by the University of Tehran Press in collaboration with the Central Library and Documentation Center, University of Tehran. The journal publishes high-quality scholarship addressing contemporary issues, methodologies, and developments in Library and Information Science, with an emphasis on both theoretical advancement and practical applications. The journal is listed in many indexing services such as DOAJ and EBSCO.
Guest Editor
Dr. Mahmood Khosrowjerdi
Ph.D. in Library and Information Science
Senior Academic Librarian
University of Inland Norway (INN)
Elverum, Norway
Email: mahmood.khosrowjerdi@inn.no
For inquiries regarding the scope of the special issue or the submission process, please contact the Guest Editor or the Editorial Office at jlib@ut.ac.ir.
We warmly invite scholars, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to contribute to this special issue and help shape the discussion on the future of academic libraries in an era defined by artificial intelligence, open science, and digital transformation.
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Mahmood Khosrowjerdi, PhD
University of Inland Norway, Elverum
https://www.inn.no/