Futures thinking in library science scholarship: A scoping and bibliometric review

This study maps the intellectual and thematic landscape of futures thinking in library science through a scoping and bibliometric review of 26 publications indexed in Scopus. Findings show modest but growing engagement, with scholarship concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and dominated by academic library contexts. Scenario planning is the most frequently applied method, while other approaches such as Delphi, environmental scanning, and appreciative inquiry appear less often. Thematic analysis identifies three recurring clusters: foresight methods, organizational strategy, and service management. Bibliographic coupling reveals incremental development anchored in a small set of foundational works rather than cumulative programs of research. Overall, futures thinking is emerging as a relevant but unevenly developed strand of research in library science. The study highlights opportunities to diversify methods, broaden regional and sectoral participation, and strengthen evaluation of outcomes, thereby enhancing the scholarly and practical value of futures thinking for libraries worldwide.