Influence of Web 2.0 Technology Skills on Acadmic Staff Productivity in Universities in North-Central Zone of Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between the possession of Web 2.0 technology skills and the academic productivity of staff in Nigerian Universities in the North central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The research method adopted for this study is correlation survey design. The population composed of 2810 academic staff from six universities involved in this study. Fourteen (14) universities in the North-Central Geo-political zone of Nigeria were grouped into strata based on ownership (Federal, state and private). Two universities were then chosen from each stratum. This gave a total of six universities. A proportionate random sampling of 15% based on faculties was used to draw the sample from each of the universities. This gave a total of 421 staff which was used as sample for this study. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection The research questions were analysed with the use of Pearson  Correlation while the null hypothesis was tested with the use of stepwise t-test. The results from the finding revealed that there is significant relationship between web 2.0 technology skills and staff academic productivity. Recommendations were also made especially in the areas of ICT facilities acquisition and training. Keywords: Web 2.0, technology, skills universities, academic, staff productivity, Nigeri

Information Provision and the Use of Management Information Systems (MIS) in Microfinance Banks in Nigeria

This study was undertaken to find out the extent to which Management Information Systems correlate with transactions in microfinance banks. The design adopted for this study is correlational  survey, this is used basically as a statistical technique to establish the extent of relationship between two or more variables questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. A total population of 227 was purposively chosen as the sample size for this study. Data for the research question 1 was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Research questions 2 – 6 were analyzed with the use of Pearson correlation to establish the extent of relationship between variables, Hypothesis I was tested with Stepwise t-test to determine the significance of relationship between Management Information Systems and transactions in Microfinance Banks. The findings of the study revealed that the level of Management Information Systems (MIS) competencies among the staff is very low. On the influence of Management Information Systems on Microfinance Transactions, the study revealed that there is positive relationship. The study recommended staff training and retraining in the area of ICT to improve the competencies and for management to increase financial resource in that area. Keywords: Use, Management, Information, Systems, Microfinance,  Bank

Institutional Readiness and Application of Web 2.0 Tools for Information Service Provision in University Libraries in Nigeria

This study examined the readiness and application of Web 2.0 tools for information service provision in University Libraries in Nigeria survey research design was adopted, while a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select two universities from each of the six geopolitical zones based on the web 2.0 presence of the university libraries. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection while data collected was analysed with the use of descriptive statistics and standard deviation. Findings revealed that some of the web 2.0 tools are frequently used while others are not used at all. It also shows that the level of institutional readiness is low, while majority of the respondents agreed that the web 2.0 tools are useful for information service provision. The study recommended that the universities should increase financial resources available to the university libraries in the area of ICT facilities acquisition among others. Keywords: Institution, University, Libraries, Web 2.0, information, Readiness, Service

ASSESSMENT OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND PROGRAMMES IN UNITY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

This study assessed Library User Resources and Programmes for Library Skill’s (LS) acquisition in Unity Schools of South East Nigeria. In conducting this research, survey research design was adopted and out of a population of 29,358, multiple-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 1,212 that comprised of 480 JSI students, 469 SSIII students and 263 staff from the 12 Unity Schools under study. Two research questions guided the study. Observation check-list and questionnaire titled Library User Education Questionnaire (LUEQ) were the instruments used for data collection. These instruments were validated by five experts. Reliability co-efficient of 0.91 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha method. Frequency and percentage were used to analyze results obtained from research question one while mean and standard deviations were used for that of research question two. Findings revealed that: there was a dearth of Library Resources (LR) in these schools, while some of the available ones were obsolete. The level of Library User Programme (LUP) implementation was very low. Findings of this study have a number of implications for education in general, school librarians, teachers and secondary school curriculum planners in particular. From the above findings it was recommended that Government should give urgent attention to the provision of library recourses (LR) such as establishment of modern school libraries, provision of current library resources among others for the enhancement of library skills’ (LS) acquisition. LUP should also be adequately planned and executed in these schools

PROBLEMS OF LIBRARY USER EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN UNITY SCHOOLS

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the strategies that may be adopted for the enhancement of Library User Education for the acquisition of library use skills (LUS) in Unity Schools in South East Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Out of a population of 29,358, multiple-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 1,053 comprising 480 JS I students, 469 SS III students and 104 staff from the 12 Unity schools under study. Two research questions guided the study. Questionnaire titled Library User Education Questionnaire (LUEQ) was the instruments for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts. Reliability co-efficient of 0.91 was arrived at using Cronbach Alpha method. Mean and standard deviation were used in the analysis of the research questions. Findings revealed that: lack of confidence in the use of the library, lack of adequately equipped school library and total dependence on class notes and textbooks were the major constraints of library user education in the Unity schools. Strategies suggested to deal with these constraints were found to consist mainly of establishment of modern school libraries, teaching the use of library and provision of library and information resources to Unity school students. The findings of this study have a number of implications for education in general, school librarians, teachers and secondary school curriculum planners in particular. From the above findings it was strongly recommended that due to the immense benefits of LUS acquisition, Government should give urgent attention to the provision of library resources such as establishment of modern school libraries, provision of current library resources among others for the enhancement of library skills acquisition. Library programmes should also be adequately planned, intergrated in the curriculum and executed by librarians and teachers in these schools

MENTORING: A STRATEGY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIANS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

This study investigated mentoring strategies in use for professional development of librarians in federal Universities in North-Central Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Population of the study was 107 professional librarians. Four research questions guided the study. Instrument for data collection were: structured questionnaire and an interview schedule. Data obtained were analyzed using mean ratings. Major findings include: informal mentoring strategy is the main strategy in use for professional development of librarians in these universities, many benefits accrue from mentoring, yet there are challenges affecting it. Suggested ways to combat these challenges were given. The implication of the study is that if formal mentoring is not adopted and put in use, professional development of librarians will not be met, research and publication will be hindered and institutional rating may be affected