Abstract:

Academic library is a cranium that housed the educational brain of every higher institution. It is a coordinating point that advances innovative ideas and creating scientific procedures towards advancement of innovative researches and development. However, the rising level of non-utilisation of academic libraries in most of the higher institutions in Rivers State is alarming due to poor user's information literacy complained on the rising population of students and the low personnel strength. This study investigated the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) Canva Magic Studio utilization in promoting transformation of library operations in academic libraries in Rivers State. Two research questions were raised alongside their hypotheses. The study adopted correlational survey research design because the concern examined the variability of the dependent variables when handled with Canva Magic Studio. The population of the study was 88 first year students in the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State from which sample of 88 was derived. The data were derived primarily with the aid of Canva Magic Studio and the researchers' designed instrument entitled: AI-Students' Library Information Literacy Scale (AI-SLILS). The AI-SLILS was faced validated by experts in research. Content assessment reliability approach was used to test for the instrument reliability using Cohen's Kappa statistics which resulted to the estimate of 0.87, thus approving the AI-SLILS as highly reliable. The collated data were analyzed accordingly using linear regression. It was shown that Canva Magic has significant contribution in the transformation of students' knowledge on research skills and referencing tools. Also, the results indicated that Canva Magic Studio has significant contribution in the promotion of students' knowledge on how to use library resources. It is concluded that this AI-powered platform known as Canva Magic Studio serve as effective instructional tools that offer real-time, highly comprehensible, and simplified illustrations that can enhance students’ interest, self-regulated learning, and practical but processed skills on approaches to utilise academic library in the enhancement of research skills, accessing referencing tools as well as promoting the general knowledge and valuable skills requisite for optimised library information literacy. It is recommended that university management and corporate individuals should provide academic libraries with Canva Magic studio alongside other essential digital technology facilities to promote the transformation of library operations and usage in tertiary institutions.