SELF-EFFICACY AND RESEARCH OUTPUT AMONG LIBRARIANS IN POLYTECHNIC LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

Purpose: This article examines the self-efficacy and research output of librarians in polytechnic libraries in South-South Nigeria. Design, methodology, and approach: This study adopted an ex-post facto research design and used a questionnaire to collect data from librarians in Polytechnic Libraries in South-South, Nigeria. Findings: This study showed a moderate relationship between self-efficacy and the research output of librarians in polytechnic libraries in southern Nigeria. The study also revealed that self-efficacy will significantly predict research output among librarians in polytechnic libraries in southern Nigeria. Originality/value: This study generated significant findings that are capable of encouraging polytechnic management to provide a foundation for a mentor-mentee policy. This is to make sure that librarians in polytechnics, particularly the junior ones, closely study senior librarians in the field of research so they may be able to use their high levels of self-efficacy to enhance their research output because the more one learns about research, the more confident one becomes in the ability to perform it

Academic Libraries and Institutional Repository: The Nigerian Polytechnics Perspective

The study examined Academic Libraries and Institutional Repository in Nigeria: the Polytechnics perspective. The study pointed out that academic library has a significant role in the establishment of institutional repository in institutions of higher learning because academic libraries are best positioned to provide much of the document preparation expertise. Polytechnic libraries can most effectively provide much of the expertise in terms of metadata tagging, authority controls and other content management require in institutional repository that increases access to and usability of the data. The study highlighted the benefits polytechnics stand to gain from institutional repository to include visibility and show casing of the polytechnics to the research community. The study discussed some challenges militating against the establishment of institutional repository in Nigerian Polytechnics. The challenges discussed are lack of fund, lack of infrastructures, lack of automation and polytechnic management lack of interest in library development. The study therefore recommended that polytechnics management should ensure that library budget, library dues and other money meant for library are judiciously expended on library development such as establishment of institutional repository, library automation, and provision of internet facilities, information technology infrastructure, training and retraining of library staff. Polytechnics management should create or provide enabling environment for their libraries and librarians to embark on the establishment of institutional repository. Keywords: Academic, Libraries, Polytechnics, Institutional Repository, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-9-02 Publication date:October 31st 201

Application of web 2.0 tools for the provision of library services for teaching, learning and research in Polytechnics

This study investigated the application of web 2.0 tools for the provision of library services for teaching, learning and research in Polytechnics. The researchers employed a descriptive survey method and a questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection.  The population of the study consisted of ninety one (91) library staff in polytechnic libraries in Edo and Rivers states. However, eighty four (84) library staff was found in their respective offices during the period of this study and were subsequently selected as the sample for the study using convenience sampling techniques. The data obtained from the copies of questionnaires retrieved from respondents were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages and mean to answer the research questions. Any item with a mean score of 2.5 and above was considered as an acceptable standard for judgment/ decision making in this study. The results indicated that social networking sites and instant messaging are the most used Web 2.0 applications utilized by the library staff. It was discovered in the study that the library staff in the polytechnic libraries in Edo and Rivers states did not use web 2.0 applications for the provision of library services to users rather for personal purpose to dissemination of information, for communication and for entertainment. The study therefore recommended that government and polytechnic management should be committed to library development by providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities to enable polytechnic libraries render 21st century services to their patrons and the entire polytechnic community

Availability, challenges and use of print and electronic resources by students of Auchi Polytechnic in the information age

This study ascertained theavailabilities, challenges and use of print and electronic resources by students of Auchi polytechnic in the information age. The study employed a descriptive survey method and questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The population of the study consisted of a focus group made up of total number of six hundred (600) students of Auchi Polytechnic that usedthe library during the period of the study. It was revealed from the study that a majority of the students used the library during examination period. Print resources such as textbooks, past question papers, newspapers and past projects are the most highly used materials in the library by students. A majority of the students preferred electronic information format to print format. However, lack of functional e-library section, the polytechnic library is not automated, erratic power supply, poor network/ Bandwidth problem, e-resources too expensive and Information overload/explosion were given as the problems militating against the use of e-resources by majority of the students. The study concluded that, in spite of the students’ preference for e-resources, it is very expedient to note here that Auchi polytechniclibrary is yet to fully keyed into this new revolution as evidenced by the findings of this study. The study recommended that, the polytechnic management and the library administrators should embark on massive restructuring, revamping and reorganization of the e-library section of the polytechnic to 21st century standard to enable students have undeniable access to electronic materials that are freely available online.Keywords: Availability, challenges, print resources, electronic resources, information age, students, polytechnic librarie

Assessment of information communication technology proficiency of secondary school teachers

This study assessed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Proficiency of Secondary School Teachers in Auchi Polytechnic Staff School.  The study employed a descriptive surveyed design and purposive sampling techniques to select fifty-three (53) respondents for the study.  A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed and presented in frequency distribution tables.  The results of the study show that majority of the teachers in the staff school do not use Information and Communication Technology as pedagogy for teaching.  The teachers also have negative attitude towards Information and Communication Technology.  Lack of ICT policy in secondary school, epileptic power supply, lack of regular and adequate training, lack of technical support from government and private sector, hardware and software problems and poor network/Bandwidth are some of the challenges militating against teachers’ readiness and effective use of Information and Communication Technology for teaching. The study therefore recommends that Government should be committed to full implementation of ICT in secondary schools by providing the necessary infrastructure, equipment; formulate policies and implementing the existing one if any

Information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students in the humanities in three universities in Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to establish the information needs, sources, and the information searching strategies of undergraduate students. The study adopted a descriptive survey method. The study covers 100-400 level undergraduate students in history in the humanities in three universities in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. A sample size of 259 was used for the study. Random sampling technique was used in selecting the sampled respondents. The study opted the use of questionnaires, interviews and observation methods. It emerged that the undergraduate students use sources such as textbooks, journals, Internet, and rely heavily on human resources for information. The study also revealed that undergraduate students use search strategies such as starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring and extracting. There is a significant difference between male and female students in the sources they use in obtaining information in the humanities and in their search strategies. Findings will enable library administrators and university management to see the need to integrate information literacy courses into the school curriculum. Also to enable librarians to intensify their efforts to educate students about the information environment rather than simply providing the knowledge of how to use specific tools