Purpose: With the rapid advancement of intelligent technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key driver for enhancing the quality of services in public libraries. This study aims to evaluate the impact of AI technologies on the quality of public library services in Yazd Province and to examine the mediating role of user trust in this relationship.
Method: This applied study adopts a descriptive-survey and correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all active members of public libraries in Yazd Province in 2025. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 385 users was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires measuring AI (Chen et al., 2022), user trust (Larasati et al., 2023), and public library service quality (adapted from Vakili Mofrad, 2023). Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed, and reliability was established with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.70 for all constructs. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 3.3 through structural equation modeling.
Findings: The results indicated that AI has a positive and significant effect on the quality of public library services. AI also significantly enhances user trust, while user trust, in turn, positively affects service quality. Mediation analysis revealed that user trust plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between AI and service quality, indicating that part of AI’s positive effect on service quality is transmitted through increased user trust.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that AI improves the quality of public library services both directly and indirectly by strengthening user trust. Users interacting with AI-based systems experience improved service quality and develop greater confidence in library performance and capabilities. Accordingly, the study highlights the importance of implementing user-centered intelligent systems, expanding accessible digital services, and providing continuous user training to maximize the benefits of AI in public libraries.