This study delves into artificial intelligence (AI) literacy within Zambian academic libraries, focusing on librarians’ perceptions and applications of AI. The research aims to gauge the AI literacy level among Library and Information Science Professionals in Zambia, identify their awareness and knowledge of AI applications in libraries, and explore their perceptions regarding the advantages and challenges of implementing AI technologies in library services. Data from 82 diverse participants were gathered using purposive and convenience sampling methods. The findings indicate a solid understanding of AI fundamentals among Zambian librarians and positive attitudes towards AI’s potential benefits in library services. However, challenges such as the need for enhanced AI expertise, resistance to change, and budgetary constraints are acknowledged.

Global environmental sustainability is a crucial issue, and Zambia, like many other countries, has particular potential and challenges in this regard. Environmental sustainability has been and is today a priority on the global development agenda due to serious issues emerging from extensive interference with human-related activities. Maintaining environmental sustainability is essential for preserving the nation's natural resources, fostering economic growth, and guaranteeing the welfare of its citizens. Even if there are many significant challenges, coordinated initiatives incorporating international cooperation, sustainable practices, and community engagement can open the door to a more sustainable future. While the ongoing discussion about environmental sustainability takes very diverse forms and concentrate on various aspects of the problem, this paper aims to discuss climate change, habitat and biodiversity, land degradation and agricultural constraints in the Zambian context. Using desktop approach, the paper will utilize reports, academic journals and policy documents in an attempt to define a common starting point from which to gain an understanding of the magnitude of the issue.

Culture signifies the customs, language, ceremonies, Indigenous Medical Knowledge (IMK) and other material objects of a tribe. These and many other features are a representation of identity for many Zambian communities. IMK practices are skills inherent by certain individuals in a tribal grouping who are chosen by the spirits (gods) or trained by those who practice. This intrinsic skill is in danger of diminishing as a result of modern medication. This article attempts to understand the role of traditional healers (also known as asing’anga in local language) in preservation of IMK in Chibombo District of Zambia. In so doing, the paper examined methods of preservation used by asing’anga and the challenges faced. Using hermeneutic phenomenology and linear snowball sampling, findings revealed that preservation was done through training. The study found unwillingness, expiration, and spirituality as challenges in the process of preserving IMK. The study recommended that the Lenje Cultural Association consider documenting and disseminating information to the local people by showcasing what is available in the Mukuni Culture Village Museum and Library. This was seen as a way through which many youths would be encouraged to appreciate the indigenous values in their culture.

The study surveyed the use of academic libraries and information seeking behaviour of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. The objectives of the study were to determine how often LAMU students used the libraries, to ascertain the purpose for which students used the library and to determine the challenges faced in accessing library services. Using a survey research design, 230 students selected using simple random sampling participated. Findings revealed that there were more male (51.1%) students who participated. The study also found that the majority of students (54.7%) were occasionally using the library. Results on the purpose for using the library showed that the majority (39.6%) were using it to read in order to improve personal competence. In relation to the challenges, majority students (42.6%) stressed the inadequacy of relevant materials. The need for librarians to make themselves available to aid students that seek information for different purposes was recommended. This was seen as a way through which many would have access to the available information in their field. There is a need for proper orientation and sensitization to students on how to access both physical and online materials. This would increase the library use as well as improve the performance of students. Lastly, it was recommended that a study on the digital literacy of students be done in order to ascertain their competence and search skills in sourcing for information.

Context: Academic information discovery is changing as agentic AI systems identify, filter, summarize, compare, and recommend scholarly information. This rapid transformation raises questions about increasing reliance on AI and the continuing need for human oversight of these tasks. Aim: The study aimed to explore how PhD scholars in Zambia use, delegate, rely on, and verify agentic AI for academic information discovery. Approach: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted at four Zambian universities. A total of 220 pen-and-paper questionnaires were distributed between 1 June and 25 July 2026, and 180 complete responses were received. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Key Findings: Participants used agentic AI for numerous information-discovery tasks, with initial summarization being the most commonly delegated task. Reliance was strongest for making scholarly discovery faster and easier. Participants perceived AI as useful and relevant, but confidence in its accuracy and credibility was lower. Verification was consistently high, especially for research claims, citations, bibliographic details, and source existence. Interpretation: Delegation did not indicate unconditional dependence; rather, scholars combined AI-enabled efficiency with continued human verification. Contribution: The study identifies a pattern of verified reliance and provides evidence of AI-mediated scholarly information behavior in the underrepresented Zambian and Global South contexts.

Open Science (OS) is reshaping global research through transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration, yet its institutionalization in the Global South remains limited. This study assesses how Zambian academic libraries sustain OS by examining librarians’ roles, adoption of tools, institutional readiness, and implementation barriers. Using a cross-sectional survey of 124 library professionals across universities and research organizations, results show strong adoption of open-access repositories (81.5 %) and journals (75.8 %), but weak uptake of data sharing, preprints, and open peer review. While librarians value their OS roles highly, institutional frameworks policies, leadership, and funding are underdeveloped. Significant differences by education and institution type indicate uneven readiness. Key barriers include low awareness (80.6 %), inadequate resources (77.4 %), and skills gaps (58.1 %). The study concludes that Zambia’s libraries are progressing toward OS but require policy integration, sustainable funding, and capacity-building to transition from project-based openness to a system-level, institutionalized Open Science model.