Abstract：Readiness of academic libraries in South Africa to researchteaching and learning support in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Purpose In this paperwe refer to the World Economic Forum in DavosSwitzerlandin 2016where the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution4IRwas coined by Klaus Schwabwith the reference that it would be building onthe Thirdthe digital revolutionand would becharacterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physicaldigitaland biological spheresWhile acknowledging that the 4IR will impact on everythingeverywhereincluding research and librarieswe conceptualize 4IRand we compare current academic library servicestrends in South Africa with 4IR requirementsthrough the analysis of 26 public university library websitesDesignmethodologyapproach Besides conceptualization of 4IRa content analysis of websites of 26 public universitieslibraries in South Africa was achieved followed up with verification of the data by respective libraries through a preliminary research report circulated to them by email23 areas were identified as the trends in academic librarieswhich included free Wi-Fi in the libraries247 study areas and access to library resources on and off campusresearch commonsmakerspaceborrowing ICTseglaptopse-resourcese-cataloguesresearch data servicesRDSRDMIRopen scholarshipinformation literacy and referencebibliographic toolslibrary as a publisheramong othersData obtained were captured in Excel and analyzed by the research questionsFindings The 4IR concept does not occur often in literaturein relation to academic librariesbut it is impliedThe findings show that the libraries are responding well to the revolution through their serviceswith remarkable innovation and creativity on displayThere was a 64presence of the analyzed trendsservices in the librarieswith emerging trendsservices such as library as a publisher4roboticsAI4makerspace8RDS27borrowing of ICTsdevices19and user experience19scoring lowwhile information literacy and digital scholarshipegIR88e-catalogue and e-resources92group study area85and off campus access77scoring above 75The scatter of the trendsservices among the university libraries is noted for knowledge sharing of best practiceResearch limitationsimplications In order to improve accordance with trendsacademic libraries have to be better resourcedaccessed and usedas well as improve web visibilityThe study expects library services to be responsiveresourced and accessible anytime and anywhereand it provides a conceptual framework and a benchmark for further research and exploration in the countryregion and perhaps elsewherePractical implications The study can be used for benchmarking current and future academic library services in AfricaThe conceptual framework provides an agenda for theoretical discussions and deliberationsSocial implications The trendsframework and 4IR representations in the study can inform theory and practice in LISparticularly in AfricaOriginalityvalue Linking 4IR to current and future library services provides a tool for academic libraries services benchmarking and development and provides a conceptual framework for theoretical and practical debates and implementationThe study is quite current and appropriate for the ongoing discussions of 4IR implications to academic librariesLibrary AutomationConsulting ServiceConsulting ServiceThis study mentioned the impact and trend of the Fourth Industrial Revolution4IRin academic librariesIn particular4of the trendservice is found in the study to be related to robotics and AI