Mapping the Knowledge Structure of Research Literature on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Libraries

Abstract

This study examines 126 research articles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in libraries indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 1989 and 2024. The analysis investigates publication growth, citation patterns, emerging research trends, co-citation networks, and collaborative authorship within the field. Findings indicate a consistent annual publication growth rate of 5.49%, with an average of 13.69 citations per document, reflecting the increasing scholarly interest in AI and robotics applications in libraries. Keyword analysis identifies “artificial intelligence” and “academic libraries” as the most prominent research themes. Co-citation analysis highlights that the most influential contributors in this domain. Although international co-authorship accounts for only 15.08% of the publications, the study reveals a growing trend of global collaboration, particularly among researchers from the USA, China, and Germany. Finally, the study provides a comprehensive bibliometric mapping of the conceptual, intellectual, and social dimensions of AI and robotics research in libraries, offering valuable insights for future research and development in this emerging area