An assessment of information service delivery at a Parliamentary library during the Covid-19 pandemic

The COVID 19 pandemic had an immense impact on libraries which led to some being closed and others offering reduced services to patrons. The new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the need for access to information with less interaction with physical copies or being physically in the library. The purpose of this study was to investigate information service delivery at the Parliament of Zimbabwe library during the COVID-19 pandemic era. The research utilised both qualitative and quantitative approaches with semi-structured questionnaire and interviews as the research instruments. The findings of the study showed that most of the library resources were accessible only when the users physically visited the library and this was limited due the lockdown restrictions. The study concluded that the Parliament of Zimbabwe Library services were very limited due to limited online services, partial closure of the library and health risks. The research recommends that the Parliament of Zimbabwe library should adopt and utilise information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance both physical and remote access to resources

New Proposed Model on Industrial Researchers’ Information Behaviour Based on Wilson’s Models

The recognition of a major behaviour is very important for the design and organization of a system that provides information for a particular category of researchers. The purpose of this study is to propose a new model of industrial researchers’ information behaviour in order to motivate the creation of well-structured systems for the provision of adequate research information to this category of researchers. The new model is based on the integration of Wilson’s models (1981, 1996 and 1999) of information behaviour and results from a larger doctoral project on industrial researchers’ information behaviour. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used.Survey questionnaires were distributed to industrial researchers and interviews were conducted for librarians of a federal industrial research institute in Nigeria. The new model must be understood within the context of the particular characteristics of the geographical area and institution in which the fieldwork was carried out – especially with the result that showed that mobile phones/iPads connected to the Internet werea more helpful information source than the institute’s library. Inorder to assess the extent to which this new model applies toindustrial researchers in other settings, similar projects employingthe same methods would be of immense consequence

Issues and trends in the provision of public library services in Nigeria: A literature survey

The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility of disseminating diverse and current information services to the members of its community. Waller and Mcshare (2008) posit two major challenges in the provision and use of public library services which are; lack of obtaining a thorough understanding of the nature of the environment which bothers majorly on information provision and use; and the development of policy frameworks that clarifies institutions goals and brings coherence to diverse and sometimes conflicting policy demands. This paper looks at issues and trends concerning some of the challenges bedeviling the provision and utilisation of public library services in Nigeria such as in-appropriate policies, lack of sufficient professionals, inadequate facilities and services and lack of awareness and proper understanding of the concept of public library services which led to non-use of the available services by potential users. Yield shift theory of satisfaction phenomena was used to explain the satisfaction phenomenon of public library services by users. Identified challenges were discussed and recommendations made towards developing a framework for improved public library services in Nigeria

Issues and trends in the provision of public library services in Nigeria: A literature survey

The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility of disseminating diverse and current information services to the members of its community. Waller and Mcshare (2008) posit two major challenges in the provision and use of public library services which are; lack of obtaining a thorough understanding of the nature of the environment which bothers majorly on information provision and use; and the development of policy frameworks that clarifies institutions goals and brings coherence to diverse and sometimes conflicting policy demands. This paper looks at issues and trends concerning some of the challenges bedeviling the provision and utilisation of public library services in Nigeria such as in-appropriate policies, lack of sufficient professionals, inadequate facilities and services and lack of awareness and proper understanding of the concept of public library services which led to non-use of the available services by potential users. Yield shift theory of satisfaction phenomena was used to explain the satisfaction phenomenon of public library services by users. Identified challenges were discussed and recommendations made towards developing a framework for improved public library services in Nigeria

Information Resources Importance and Format Inclination of Science and Technology Researchers

This study examined important information resources and format inclination of information resources utilized by science and technology (S&T) researchers as they acquire information in the course of their projects. The study institute was “Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria”. The study employed the research design of mixed methods. Questionnaires were utilized for S&T researchers and interview engagements with professional librarians in order to collect data. One hundred and fourteen copies were received for the questionnaires distributed to S&T researchers. All the professional librarians (five) working in the institute’s library were acceptably interviewed. The S&T researchers uncovered that the journal was the information resource most important to them. The preferred format for information resources was the combination of print and non-print resources. We recommend that both print and electronic versions of information resources should be provided for the researchers by the institute’s administrators. Further studies are required on expansion and changes in S&T researchers’ information resource preferences in order to adequately tackle their contemporary and prospective need for information

Challenges of the LIS educator at an open distance university (ODL)

Paper presented at the Annual LIS Research Symposium, 24-25 July 2014, at UNISA Science Campus, Florida9 slidesNo abstract availabl

Factors and challenges affecting the information-seeking behavior of science and technology researchers

This study investigates the factors and challenges affecting the information-seeking behavior of multidisciplinary science and technology researchers of the six departments of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria. This study depicts a non-academic setting and by extension the African context. One hundred and sixty five researchers were given questionnaires of which responses of 114 questionnaires were finally analyzed. Based on the questionnaire results, the respondents provided suggestions on how certain factors and challenges have influenced their information-seeking behavior. The authors make recommendations on how these factors and challenges can be adequately tackled in order for researchers to optimally derive lasting benefits from their information-seeking process as they engage in research. An excellent recommendation is the effective collaboration of FIIRO library with the functional libraries of higher institutions and research institutions both home and abroad

Evaluation of the Level of Adoption of Information and Communication Technology Resources and the Usage of Alternative Sources in Obtaining Information by Researchers of a Federal Research Institute in Nigeria

There is an increasing interest in studying the level of adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) resources by researchers of various disciplines with the effective adoption of ICTs having a proven record of significant academic, social, economic and environmental benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of adoption of ICT resources and the usage of alternatives in obtaining research information by researchers of a federal research institute in Nigeria. The research was carried out at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) Nigeria. A questionnaire was distributed to 165 researchers of the institute but usable returns totaled 114 (67%). This study revealed that FIIRO researchers utilized varying ICT resources and they had a good level of ICT competency in adopting ICT resources available to them as they carry out their work. Additionally, the institute lacked the ICT infrastructure for FIIRO researchers to fully adopt ICTs. The institute did not have internet connectivity. Considering this gap, researchers used alternative sources in the form of mobile devices, personally-provided laptops/desktops (with personal internet subscription) and internet-providing business centers (cybercafés) outside the institution’s premises to access information for their research. The study recommended that FIIRO management should provide adequate number of computers for researchers and unhindered internet connectivity for easy access to research information. This paper emanates from the doctoral thesis submitted at the University of South Africa, titled Information Needs and Information Seeking Behavior of Researchers in an industrial research institute in Nigeria

The role of emotions in the choice to adopt, or resist, innovations by Irish dairy farmers

In this paper we uncover the emotional factors that contribute to the adoption, or rejection, of different categories of innovation by dairy farmers in Munster, Republic of Ireland. Although emotions have been extensively researched in different fields, little research to date has examined the effects of emotions on farmers' decision making. Munster is the most important region for grass-based dairy farming in Ireland and this type of farming still plays an important role in Ireland's economy and sense of self. By using in-depth interview data from 27 dairy farmers and 6 other participants in the local industry we identified three categories of innovation that were influenced by different emotional pathways. We further uncovered the strong value-driven emotions that underpin the Irish dairy farmers' beliefs about what farming is, and means, and the influence that this has on innovation choices

Investigating the integration of ICTs in Library and Information Science (LIS) curriculum in Zimbabwe

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have greatly influenced access, management and dissemination of information. ICTs have become central to education and training in Library and Information Science/Service (LIS) because of the great influence of these technologies on the professional world. Information professionals are increasingly required to adapt their skills and practice in order to gain an awareness of technological advances. It has changed their role in the workplace with new and diverse skills requirements. The purpose of this study was to examine how Library and Information Science (LIS) schools are integrating ICTs in their curriculum. The study was largely qualitative with content analysis being conducted on LIS modules to determine ICT coverage. A brief questionnaire was also distributed to the LIS Schools to ascertain the level of infrastructure and other resources available to support these programmes. The findings revealed that LIS schools were incorporating ICT skills in the courses taught. The study observed however that there are some courses which required ICT skills integration but were still being taught at theoretical level. Challenges faced by the LIS schools included infrastructure, hardware and internet access. The study recommends for an accelerated integration of ICTs in the courses in order to meet the requirements of industry and employers