‘Southeast Asian Librarians’ view on the extended role of librarians in the digital age

Purpose This study aims to analyze librarians’ perceptions and expectations regarding the expansion of their roles in the digital era, especially in the context of Southeast Asia’s rapidly evolving information landscape. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey was conducted among 140 librarians from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. The data were collected using a Likert-scale-based questionnaire to assess perceptions of digital competencies and institutional expectations. Findings Librarians show high awareness of digital literacy as a core competency (mean = 4.56). However, understanding of advanced technologies such as big data and AI remains moderate (mean = 3.54). Respondents highlight the need for institutional support such as training and technology access to take on strategic roles in the digital era. Originality/value This study provides regional insights into Southeast Asian librarians’ readiness for digital transformation. It highlights the gap between digital literacy awareness and advanced tech understanding and underlines the importance of institutional capacity-building. The findings offer practical implications for developing policies that support librarians’ evolving roles.