Future-Ready Librarianship at CUNY: Digital Skills, AI Literacy, Immersive Technology, Data Curation, and Community Engagement

Academic libraries are evolving rapidly in the face of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and changing user expectations. This research article examines the future-ready skills, knowledge, and competencies needed by academic librarians at the City University of New York (CUNY), positioning CUNY as a case study for innovation in a large public urban university system. Through a comprehensive literature review of global trends and an analysis of CUNY’s strategic priorities, five core competency areas emerge as crucial: (1) advanced digital skills and IT proficiency, (2) AI literacy and ethical awareness, (3) facility with immersive technologies (augmented and virtual reality), (4) data curation and data literacy expertise, and (5) community engagement and outreach capabilities. The introduction frames the challenges and objectives. The literature review synthesizes recent scholarship (2020–2025) on emerging competencies in academic librarianship worldwide. The methodology describes the qualitative approach of integrating literature analysis with a case study of CUNY libraries. Findings detail each competency area, highlighting global exemplars and specific CUNY initiatives. The discussion interprets how these competencies align with broader academic library trends such as digital transformation, open science, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Recommendations are offered for CUNY and similar institutions to implement training, professional development, and strategic planning that cultivate these future-ready competencies. The conclusion underscores that empowering librarians with these emerging skills will position academic libraries—at CUNY and beyond—as innovative, inclusive centers of knowledge in the digital age.