LIBRARIES IN TRANSFORMATION: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE FACE OF DECLINING USE OF PRINT BOOKS

Abstract

Since the nineteenth century, academic libraries have evolved from mere repositories of books into dynamic learning environments that foster critical information literacy skills. In recent decades, however, a marked decline in the use of print books has been observed, a phenomenon associated with student anxiety, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of print books across six programs in different fields at a higher education institution in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive documentary analysis was conducted based on records from the Business Administration, Law, Nursing, Civil Engineering, Nutrition, and Psychology programs between 2013 and 2024, complemented by a theoretical discussion of the literature on information behavior, library use, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence. The results reveal a consistent downward trend in the use of physical collections, particularly from 2018 onward, with a more pronounced decline during the pandemic period. The literature indicates that this phenomenon may be related to factors such as insufficient information literacy skills, feelings of anxiety and discomfort in in-person reading environments, as well as increasing reliance on digital resources, automated systems, and artificial intelligence tools. Overall, the study highlights a multifactorial phenomenon that calls for the reinvention of academic libraries through digital mediation, the creation of welcoming environments, and the critical development of students’ information autonomy.