A Systematic Review of Augmented Reality Adoption in Libraries: Benefits, Barriers, And User Engagement

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative technology with significant potential to enhance user engagement, information access, and learning experiences in contemporary library environments. This systematic review critically examines the application of AR in libraries, focusing on its functional uses, educational value, implementation challenges, and user perceptions. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across five major academic databases and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024. After a rigorous screening and eligibility assessment process, 26 peer-reviewed studies were included in the final analysis.

The findings reveal that AR is predominantly employed to facilitate library navigation, resource discovery, user orientation, and interactive learning experiences. Evidence across the reviewed studies suggests that AR applications substantially enhance user engagement by integrating digital content with physical library spaces, thereby fostering immersive and participatory learning environments. Notable implementations, including ShelvAR and ARLib, demonstrate the effectiveness of AR in improving access to collections, supporting wayfinding, and enriching instructional activities. Furthermore, AR-enabled services contribute to increased user motivation, information retention, and experiential learning, particularly within academic and makerspace contexts.Despite these benefits, the review identifies persistent barriers to adoption, including financial constraints, technological infrastructure requirements, limited staff competencies, and the ongoing need for content development and maintenance. Concerns regarding privacy, accessibility, and the long-term sustainability of AR initiatives also remain significant challenges. The synthesis of current evidence indicates that while AR offers substantial opportunities for advancing libraries as interactive, user-centered knowledge environments, its successful integration requires strategic planning, institutional investment, and continuous professional development.

This review contributes to the growing body of library and information science literature by providing a consolidated evidence base on AR implementation and by identifying critical factors that influence its effectiveness and sustainability. It offers practical guidance for library administrators, educators, and policymakers seeking to develop innovative AR-enabled services while highlighting directions for future research on learning outcomes, user satisfaction, accessibility, and inclusive design.