PurposeThis study explores the impact of digital transformation on academic libraries, focusing on university students' information discovery patterns and preferences. It investigates the interaction among Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs), electronic resources and Large Language Models (LLMs) and investigates how these tools impact resource usage and academic behavior.Design/methodology/approachA survey method and structured questionnaire were used to collect data from arts and social sciences students at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Usage patterns, challenges and preferences regarding OPACs, e-resources and LLMs were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistical investigations were examined to investigate the association between demographic variables and platform utilization.FindingsThe findings present a diminishing dependence on OPACs owing to usability issues, with students preferring e-resources and LLMs for clarity, ease of use and accessibility. E-resources are mainly used for topic research and writing academic papers, whereas LLMs are used for summarization, analysis and academic writing. Apprehension about AI literacy, digital literacy, ethical use and AI reliability prevails, highlighting the need for user-friendly systems that link traditional and digital tools.Originality/valueThe study findings indicate the changing role of AI and digital resources in academic libraries, guiding understanding to integrate OPACs, e-resources and LLMs into balanced library services.