Use of Cloud Computing Technologies for Library Services Delivery: A Survey of Librarians in University Libraries in Africa

The study aimed to investigate the use of cloud computing technologies for library service delivery by librarians in university libraries in Africa. An online survey method was adopted to collect qualitative data from 315 librarians working in 67 university libraries in English-speaking countries in Africa. The study found that YouTube, Google Drive, OPAC, Google Form, Gmail, and Google Scholar are the most mentioned Cloud Computing (CC) technologies used by librarians in university libraries in Africa. The study also revealed that the librarians use CC technologies to store and share files, for sharing videos related to library orientations/other video contents, to collaborate with other librarians for research projects, to survey users’ level of satisfaction with library services, online document editing services, and provision of virtual/online reference services. The majority of the librarians mentioned lack of funds, no security and privacy of data, irregular staff training and development, and lack of CC knowledge and awareness as challenges associated with the adoption of CC technologies in universities in Africa. Solutions to the security of data threats in the cloud environment are offered in the study. The findings will contribute by aiding the providers and potential adopters to devise context-specific strategies for the penetration of cloud services and sound adoption decisions (ADs), respectively. The findings of the study will provide a better understanding and application of CC to advance the provision of library services to users of academic libraries in the African continent

The Right Time for Makerspaces in Nigerian Academic Libraries: Perceived Benefits and Challenges

The present study investigates makerspaces in Nigerian academic libraries: perceived benefits and challenges. Four objectives  guided the study: what constituted makerspace in academic library, the level of awareness of makerspace by academic library benefits and challenges of adopting makerspace in libraries. The descriptive survey design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of the study comprised of professional and paraprofessional librarians of Ambrose University and University of Benin, from which a sample size of 119 was drawn using total enumeration sampling technique. Out of the 119 copies of questionnaire administered, 94 were retrieved and analyzed using simple percentage and frequency tables. Findings revealed that, the respondents were aware of what constitute makerspace which are library space, 3D printers, computers and projector. It was also discovered that, the respondents had a high level of awareness of makerspace in the library. Some of the benefits associated with the use of makerspace are: it facilitates group interaction, it improves knowledge and provides access to wide varieties of tools and technology. Some of the challenges encountered in the adoption of makerspace are training of academic library staff, security of makerspace gadgets, poor funding, erratic power supply, high cost and maintenance of equipment. It was however recommended that; librarians should make deliberate effort to explore the potentials in makerspace in the enhancement of their services and training should be conducted regularly to enhance librarian’s skills in the use of ICTs