Marketing Knowledge of Librarians: A Case Study of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria

This study examined knowledge of academic librarians in relation to marketing of library services and information products with particular reference to Olabisi Onabanjo University (O.O.U) Library. The paper focused on the concept of marketing as applied to librarianship, marketing knowledge of librarians, marketing strategies employed by libraries and librarians and challenges to effective marketing of library services and information products. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design of ex-post facto type. The population of study comprised all academic librarians in the University. Data was collected with the use of an instrument tagged, ‘Marketing Knowledge of Librarians Questionnaire’ (MKLQ) which has a reliability coefficient of 0.69. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data gather for the study. The findings indicated that the academic librarians of the university had moderate knowledge of marketing concepts and principles and used various techniques and strategies to market their library services and information products. Lack of funds, unstable Internet connectivity, inadequate ICTs skills amongst others were identified as major challenges to effective marketing of library services and information products among the librarians. Many recommendations were proffered amongst which were the encouragement of librarians to attend conferences, seminars and workshops on library marketing initiatives, use of library mobile applications and hand-held devices and the need to integrate marketing concepts and principles into the Nigerian Library schools curricula. Keywords: Library marketing strategies, Promoting library services and information products, Nigerian academic librarian

Marketing strategies used by librarians in a state university libraries

Academic libraries are currently experiencing changes in the new information age, due to rapidly changing media technologies, increasing users’ preferences and expectations, competition from other information providers such as internet and dwindling library budgets. These necessitate library and information science professionals leverage on competitive marketing approaches to strategically reorient themselves and libraries as information superhighways that individuals cannot do without. This study therefore investigated marketing strategies employed by librarians in a state university library in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design of ex-post facto type. A validated questionnaire with Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.69 was used to gather information from all the librarians. The results revealed that user survey studies, books, interlibrary loan services and improved burrowing privileges were prevalent marketing strategies used by librarians. Unstable Internet connectivity and inadequate funding were identified as major challenges to effective marketing of library products and services. The study recommended use of ICT and social media tools; teaching of innovative marketing concepts and principles in Nigerian Library schools and aggressiveness on the part of librarians.Keywords: Library marketing, Promoting library services and information products; Nigerian librarians; Nigerian universitie

Smart phone use among academic librarians in a state university library in Nigeria

This study investigated how academic librarians in Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Library, Nigeria used smart phones to embrace academic library services and routines. Questionnaire method was employed to collect data for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study revealed that the academic librarians of the university had and used smart phones for personal and official purposes, though the use for personal activities were more pronounced than for library services. The study further revealed that status of the academic librarians does not influenced smart phones used amongst other findings. Many recommendations were proffered amongst which were adoption of mobile technology for library applications and services as well as adoption of smart phone use by academic librarians to offer and enhance library mobile services and routines.Keywords: Academic librarians, University libraries, Smart phone use, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeri