<![CDATA[The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed governance practices across higher education institutions, encouraging university libraries to adopt smart government principles to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and user engagement. As academic libraries evolve beyond their traditional role as repositories of printed collections, they are increasingly expected to provide integrated digital services that support teaching, research, and knowledge dissemination. This study investigates the implementation of smart government within the library of Universitas Riau and explores the institutional factors that facilitate or constrain this digital transformation. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and institutional document analysis to obtain comprehensive insights into library governance and digital service delivery. The collected data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing, while data credibility was strengthened through methodological and source triangulation. The findings reveal that smart government implementation has substantially transformed library services through the digitalization of information resources, improved accessibility, integrated information systems, strengthened technological infrastructure, and enhanced staff competencies. These developments have enabled users to access academic resources more efficiently and have contributed to more responsive and user-centered library services. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including incomplete system integration, infrastructure limitations, disparities in users' digital literacy, and the need for continuous professional development among library personnel. The study concludes that smart government provides an effective governance framework for accelerating the development of smart academic libraries while simultaneously improving institutional service quality. The findings also highlight the importance of integrating technological innovation, organizational readiness, and human resource development to ensure the long-term sustainability of digital transformation initiatives in higher education libraries. Keywords: Smart government; smart library; digital transformation; academic libraries; digital governance; higher education; public service innovation]]>
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