Bridging Traditional Literacy and AI: Lessons Learned from Telkom University Open Library

Abstract

Academic libraries in the AI era should not choose between traditional literacy and digital transformation. Instead, there should be the urgency to develop a balanced literacy ecosystem that preserves print-based reading, strengthens writing habits, and introduces AI literacy responsibly. In this context, Open Library can play an active institutional role by maintaining printed collections, providing spaces for deep and silent reading, facilitating book discussions, supporting handwriting journaling, and developing storytelling-based literacy programs. Overall, this study contributes to discussions on academic libraries, traditional literacy, and AI by showing that the future of library services lies not in replacing conventional literacy practices, but in redesigning them within a hybrid literacy framework.