Nove E. Variant Anna, Wirapong Chansanam, Endang Fitriyah Mannan, Elva Rahmah, Yollanda Nundy Alshafa
This study explores Indonesian librarians’ awareness, confidence, perceived usefulness, challenges, and training needs related to prompt engineering (PE) in reference services. A descriptive mixed-methods design was employed, collecting data from 74 librarians across universities and government institutions via an online questionnaire with closed and open-ended items. Quantitative data (5-point Likert scale) were analyzed descriptively, reporting mean scores and standard deviations, while qualitative responses were thematically coded. Results indicate moderate-to-high conceptual understanding (M = 3.86, SD = 0.78) and confidence (M = 3.84, SD = 0.68) in applying PE, alongside a strong need for further training (M = 4.34, SD = 0.65). Thematic analysis identified three main areas: service efficiency and accuracy, professional and academic development, and user-centered and ethical services. Based on integrated findings, a three-tier training model, foundational awareness, applied practice, and ethical integration, emerged inductively to support librarians’ development in PE. Overall, the study suggests that prompt engineering represents an emerging digital and AI literacy competence that may enhance efficiency, user-centeredness, and ethical practices in reference services, with structured training, institutional support, and collaboration with LIS schools and AI experts recommended to translate awareness into practical skills and service readiness. © 2026 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Information Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Faculty of Language and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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