Global Technological Trend in Academic Libraries

The advent of Social Media Technologies (SMTs) has remodelled contemporary academic libraries in unprecedented ways as developed countries are metamorphosing from providing library services from the conventional labour-intensive systems to embrace some easy dynamic technologically SMT driven systems which is the global trend in service delivery. But the reverse is the case in Africa and likewise in Nigeria where there is a dearth of research on SMT culture, cognizance of these technologies, acceptance, and implementation in academic libraries. It is on this premise that this study examined the use of SMTs for a globalised library services in the University of Ibadan and Babcock University in South West Nigeria. The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm and a mixed-method research approach with a survey research design. The population for the study comprised all academic librarians coupled with 4th-year level Computer Science students in the selected two universities. While a multistage sampling technique was used in the selection of the target samples which involved the selection of the oldest public and private Universities in the region which are the University of Ibadan (UI), a Federal University, and Babcock University (BU) which is a Private University. Findings from the current study show that SNS (70.7%), chatting tools such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, (65.9%), and image and video sharing (26.8%) were the first set of three most SMT used by Academic Librarians within the sampled universities in providing globalised library services to the library clientele. Also, personal knowledge and skills; staff willingness to change, and Management support were the three (3) most important factors ranked by academic librarians as elements influencing the adoption and use of SMTs. Both University libraries are at different stages of coming up with the requisite SMT policies in providing globalised library services in academic librarie

MARKETING LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA.

This study examines marketing library and information services in academic libraries. Specific objectives includes; the need for marketing library and information services in university libraries in South West Nigeria; techniques being employed by university libraries in marketing of library and information services; competencies required of librarians in marketing of library and information services; challenges being faced by the librarians in marketing of library and information services and strategies for enhancing marketing of library and information services in South West Nigeria. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Survey research design was adopted. The target population for the study comprises of all librarians in university libraries in South West Nigeria. Six (6) university libraries were selected based on proximity to researchers. There are a total of eighty-seven (87) librarians in the Six (6) selected university libraries; Out of eighty-seven (87) questionnaires distributed, only sixty-four (64) copies were returned. Data collected through the distributed questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. In other words tables, frequency counts, simple percentage and mean were used to analyze the data. The finding shows that; techniques being employed in marketing library and information services are; provision of electronic access to information, staff friendliness to users, exhibitions and display of new arrivals, creating a library web page, organizing user education, and one on one discussion with users. Competencies required of librarians in marketing library and information services as perceived by the respondents are; good communication skills, information technology skills, ability to answer users’ query, ability to sell idea/library services, ability to question and evaluate library services as well as interpersonal skills. Major challenges militating against effective marketing of library and information services are; in-adequate fund, management lack of marketing policy, lack of facilities to market library services, lack of media access to market academic library services, poor access to information technology, lack of training in marketing, and lack of effective communication between librarians and users

The effectiveness of web 2.0 in marketing academic library services in Nigerian universities: a case study of selected universities in South-South Nigeria.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2017.The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of using Web 2.0 to market academic libraries services in three purposively selected universities in South-South Nigeria. The following research questions were addressed: 1) What are the Web 2.0 tools used by academic libraries in South-South Nigeria? 2) To what extent do academic libraries in South-South Nigeria use Web 2.0 tools to market their services? 3) What policies do academic libraries in South-South Nigeria have to guide the implementation of Web 2.0 tools for effective marketing of their services? 4) What are the attitude and perception of librarians in South-South Nigeria towards the use of Web 2.0 tools to market their services? The post-positivism paradigm was used to underpin the study with an exploratory survey research design. The population of the study consisted of librarians and students in the institutions surveyed. Purposive random sampling was used to select the respondents. The validity and reliability of the data collection instruments were achieved through the piloting and triangulation. Survey questionnaires and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to sort, code and analyse quantitative data, while thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The results revealed that librarians and students in the selected universities in South-South Nigeria were active users of Web 2.0 tools. The results further revealed that the most used Web 2.0 tools were Facebook, Twitter, Instant Message, and Internet Forum. Moreover, it was found that Web 2.0 tools were being used to promote library services, reach a new audience of potential users, push library news and press releases to users and provide quick updates about the services to users as well as provide reference services online. The results showed that librarians and students in the institutions surveyed have positive attitude and perception towards the use of Web 2.0 tools, and librarians desire to use Web 2.0 tools. Students were interested in using Web 2.0, as librarians were anxious to learn modern ways of marketing library services. The results revealed a lack of policies to guide the implementation of Web 2.0 tools for the marketing of library services in the institutions surveyed. The results found the need to optimise the use of Web 2.0 tools to market library services through training of librarians, the provision of stable and/or alternative power supply, the provision of adequate funding and facilities for the implementation of Web 2.0 tools. This study has implications for practice, policy, methodology and theory. From the practical perspective, the study creates awareness about using Web 2.0 tools to market academic library services widely to users anytime anywhere. The study also provides baseline information for improving access and use of library services in an environment of rising cost of journals and other information resources. The study also provides information upon which relevant training programmes for librarians and students can be based to enhance provision and use of library services respectively. As far as policy is concerned, the study provides a framework for developing relevant policies and availing necessary resources to leverage opportunities created by new technologies for effective marketing of library services to the users. Theoretically, the study contributes towards validating UTAUT in an academic library environment and from a developing country perspective regarding the constructs of behavioural intention, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. The study recommends among other things the provision of adequate budget to libraries for information technology infrastructure development, capacity building, creating enabling and conducive institutional environment through relevant policies to optimise the use of Web 2.0 tools. The study also recommends the infusion of Web 2.0 into the General Studies (GS) curriculum, a compulsory course at the entry level into the university that exposes students to liberal education

Evaluation of User’s Satisfaction with Reference Services in Selected Federal University Libraries in Southeastern Nigeria

The study evaluated users’ satisfaction with the reference services of federal university libraries in southeastern Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and questionnaire served as an instrument for data collection. Drawing from a population of 20,570, a questionnaire was administered to 394 undergraduate library users of which 351 were completed and found useful for data analysis. The findings revealed that users were satisfied with library reference services except those they are not familiar with and none of the categories of reference services was rated very high. Most library users are not familiar with translation service, internet service, and e-mail service along with library OPAC. Reference librarians have a good customer relationship with the users, even though they are yet to fortify their presence in an online environment. Sequential to the above unearthing, recommendations were given that reference librarians should adopt public relation technique in relating to users and other stakeholders of the library. More so, awareness of reference services should be created through library publicity and marketing of library services among the community of users. The recommendation was also given that the reference librarian should be ICT compliance to be able to perform excellently in an online environment

Assessing the appropriation of social media by academic librarians in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Research into the appropriation of social media by academic libraries in countries with growing economies is scarce. There remains an empirical and theoretical gap in the literature about how librarians, particularly those in Southern Africa, are deploying social media in their work routines and in their personal lives. Based on one of the researchers' experiences at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library and both researchers' use of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Library, the researchers aimed to examine the way librarians deploy and appropriate social media platforms as part of their service delivery. Using data derived from a questionnaire survey among librarians at UWC in South Africa and NUST in Zimbabwe, this study examined how librarians use social media for professional and personal purposes. The findings suggest that UWC librarians are more proficient social media users than NUST librarians. They further reveal that UWC librarians themselves are managing social media, while at NUST, the Information Technology department is directly responsible for managing the platforms. The study found that UWC Library utilises social media to promote its services more widely, whereas the NUST Library uses social media for reference services.DHE

Towards A Creative Use of Social Media Tools in the Delivery of Academic Library Services in Nigeria

Social media tools have obviously brought about a paradigm shift in the delivery of library services in Nigeria. The paper explores the applicability of various social media tools in the library and how social media tools have proven useful in academic libraries. Aside from the benefits of social media tools in academic libraries, the paper highlighted the potential challenges of using social media tools in library services in academic libraries, in particular, the lack of awareness of the university\u27s social media accounts among library users. Despite the identified challenges of social media tools for academic library service delivery, the paper concludes that utilization of social media tools remains a boon for library service delivery in this 21st century

KNOWLEDGE AND USERS’ PREFERENCES OF CONTEMPORARY MARKETING STRATEGIES USED IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Purpose: This study investigated knowledge and users’ preferences of contemporary marketing strategies used in academic libraries. It is a user study innovation characterized by granting users’ with the information appropriate for better library usage and their feedback to analyze how what is presented to them makes an impact towards their attainment of academic goals. Methodology: This study carried out in University of Calabar Library adopted survey research design on a population of 1804 registered users. A simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 600 undergraduate and postgraduate registered users. Accordingly, 600 copies of questionnaire were distributed in the reader services units, which comprised Social Sciences, Medical, Africana, Humanities, Law, Reference as well as Science and Technology/Annex Divisions of the library. Questionnaire was distributed with a condition that only registered users who use the library often (at least thrice a week) were eligible to respond. Only 428 usable copies were returned and these were analyzed for the study. Findings: Study revealed users’ knowledge of marketing strategies in the following sequence Digital media marketing 423(98.83%), Awareness services marketing 377(88.08%) and Conducive environment marketing 224(52.34%). The result of preferences showed Digital media marketing as most preferred with 421(98.36%), Awareness services marketing had 398 (92.99%) respondents and Conducive environment marketing 204(47.66%). On the challenges, two respondents (5&34) frankly indicated their lack of understanding for the term conducive environment. This has a great implication for the result altogether but other respondents revealed their challenges with regards to inappropriate time fixed for library use of e-library, epileptic power supply, low bandwidth, that causes the network to show while pages were unable to open and staff negative attitude. Suggestions were given to encourage the publications of local news and magazines, which would help to intimate users of issues relating to library use among others. Originality: This article offer valuable insight on the users’ knowledge and preferences of contemporary marketing strategies in academic libraries. This indicate that, it is only when users’ are given what they desire, that they could be said to be satisfied. Classification: Research paper Keywords: Information, librarians’ empathy, Knowledge, users’ preferences, Contemporar

Library usage by university accounting students : a comparison of contact and open distance learning institution in South Africa

This study examines the current level of library patronage among accounting students both in the distance and a contact learning institution in South Africa. There is a relative absence of studies of academic library usage by accounting students. The low level of library usage, that is, low level of library visits and poor research skills of undergraduate accounting students has been attributed to the difficulty in integrating accounting curriculum with information literacy. However, the challenge facing academic librarians is persuading both academic faculty and accounting students to integrate information literacy into their curriculum and to convince individual students to make time in their schedules for library usage. In South Africa, this problem is compounded when it is a requirement of the accreditation body, The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), which requires academic departments to integrate library usage into the accounting curriculum for their programme to be accredited. The study examines the current level of library patronage among accounting students both in a distance and a contact learning institution in South Africa. The sub-objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for low level of library patronage among accounting students in South African Universities; to determine what features would make the use of a library for locating information that is relevant and attractive to university accounting students in a contact and a distance learning institution in South Africa; and to investigate what, if any, improvements to library service can be made to make the use of the library of significant importance. Using a survey research method that utilises a structured questionnaire, this study gathered data from a sample of 500 accounting students from a distance and a contact learning institution in South Africa, out of which 379 returned completed questionnaire, representing 76%. The finding indicates that as with most accounting students across the world, South African students are no exception because of the peculiarity and design of their programme curriculum that provides recommended texts for students’ usage. The findings further show that the apathy of library services patronage among university accounting students in South Africa is exacerbated by lecturers who seldom give assignments or tasks that require the students to search for information beyond the recommended textbooks. Findings indicate that the most significant factor that influences accounting students of universities to patronise library resources are the expertise and interaction of the library staff. This is supported by the Expectation-Confirmation Theory framework which posits that patrons will continue to use library services only if their perceived perception of the usefulness of the services are satisfied. In this case, accounting students from both institutions examined in this study confirm the Expectation-Confirmation Theory framework of satisfaction being based on the perception of the library services they receive. The study recommends that in motivating accounting students to patronise library services, library management needs to understand the discipline-specific teaching and learning practices and collaborate with curriculum developers in the accounting discipline to incorporate the use of library services in their programme. Further study is encouraged to include all universities that offer accounting programmes in South Africa for a more robust finding.Information ScienceM. Inf. (Information Science

A Study on the Transformation of South East Nigerian’s Academic Society through Library and Information Science Education

This is an empirical study on the transformation of South-East Nigeria’s academic society through library and information science education (LISE). The main objective of this study is to find out current library and information science educational procedure in SE Nigeria as to determining how it holistically prepare potential librarians towards the changes that are taking place in our academic environment and the world as a whole. The research employed a descriptive survey design with a sampled population of 980 LIS students derived through total enumerative sampling technique from four accredited universities- Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU); Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in South-East Nigeria. In analyzing the data, SPSS output format based on simple frequency count and percentage distribution, mean and standard deviation was used. The data collected were presented in figures for demographic and tables for research questions. The result of the study prove that there is low awareness among LIS students on emerging topics in LIS for transformation the SE Nigeria academic society; teaching pattern is mainly theory then both. The result also shows that there are modern facilities but there are no RDA toolkits, functional ICT laboratories and effective internet services. The study also discovered that there is no room for students to evaluate their lecturers neither are the three domains in education generally considered in the final evaluation of students. It was based on the findings that recommendations were made as to ensuring that librarians stand the test of time and be relevant in a daily changing information age