An Investigation of the Inclusion of Information and Communication Technologies in the Management of University Libraries

The advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the astronomical growth of information have brought about a tremendous transformation in the ways libraries of every sort are being managed as well as the ways services are rendered to users. This study therefore investigated the inclusion of ICTs in the management of university libraries in Nigeria with Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Nigeria as a case in point. The study applied a descriptive survey design with a population sample of 45 library staff selected through purposive sampling method and was guided by five research questions. The main instruments used to obtain data for the study was a four-point Likert scale design structured questionnaire which was validated by three experts one from the Department of Library and Information Science and two from the Department of Computer Science from two universities in Nigeria. While the reliability of the instrument was established through conducting a two week pilot study at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Library.. The result of the pilot study was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the questionnaire which stood at 0.81. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and charts while at 0.05 level of significance, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used to test the only null hypothesis. The outcome of the study shows that the emergence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought an undeniable transformation in library operations and the ways services are provided to users and other stakeholders and that the inclusion of ICT facilities in the management of the library has tremendous positive effect in the management of the library. The study recommended among other things that, a policy should be put in place by National Universities Commission mandating all universities to have their libraries automated within a specific period of time as to allowing for collective resource sharing and proper networking among university libraries

An Empirical study of Librarians and Libraries as drivers of access to Knowledge in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The library from inception plays a very crucial role in the extension and modification of knowledge. The growing need for knowledge management has influenced every component and operation of a library. This is built on the fact that it is only by transmission of knowledge by each succeeding generation can civilization maintain itself and make advance upon the knowledge of the past. The individual and social meaning of education can only take place on the backdrop of beliefs and values of a particular social setting. In both, the library has a crucial role to play. The library we know is a social system that stores and disseminates information which is knowledge. This paper therefore is an empirical study of Librarians and libraries as drivers of access to knowledge using Ebonyi State, Nigeria as a case in point. This researcher applied a descriptive study method with a sampled population of 138 randomly selected from the different libraries in the State. The study investigated ways through which librarians and libraries operate as drivers of access to knowledge as well as the various challenges encountered by librarians that militate against their optimal performance as drivers of access to knowledge. The study also identified ways of enhancing the role of Librarians and libraries as drivers of access to knowledge. The instrument for the study was structured according to the modified Likert scale on four point rating scale. On this scale, the average mean cut off is 2.50. To this end, an item is accepted if it is 2.50 and above and rejected if it is below 2.50. Statistically, frequencies, percentages and mean scores were used to compute the data collected that led to the decision rule

An assessment of Networking and Resource Sharing in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria

No library today can boast of having it all to satisfy all the vital needs and demands of her clientele without recourse to some forms of collaborative assistance or the other. This study so to speak is an assessment of networking and resource sharing in federal university libraries in Nigeria. The study was guided by four research objectives and questions respectively with a population sample of 86 librarians purposively derived from 43 federal university libraries. The major instrument used for data collection for the study was a 34-item modified Likert scale questionnaire while the data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentile and presented in tables and figures for clarity sake. The outcome of the study showed among other things that most federal university libraries in Nigeria were not participating in Wide Area Networking rather concentrate mostly in local area networking which implies that no federal university library in Nigeria can boast of being fully involved in global networking as to gaining from piles of information available in academic libraries of developed nations. The study further identified some of the factors militating against these services and operations. The study after due consideration of the findings recommended among other steps that all identified challenges as displayed in table 4 and figure 3 should be tackled head-on by all concerned and that the National University Commission (NUC)as universities’ control and monitoring body should partner Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to sponsor and finance the establishment of Nigerian University Libraries consortium that will ensure effective networking and resource sharing among university libraries in Nigeria and those of developed nations

Social perception of the image of public libraries and librarians by users as catalyst of transformation: A survey

In life, people form impressions of and make inferences about other people as sovereign personalities which is social perception. This study therefore investigated the impression of and the inferences about public libraries and librarians by the users as a catalyst of transformation. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with users of public libraries in Ebonyi State Nigeria forming the population of the study. The study was guided by 5 research question while one null hypothesis was tested. A sampled population of 762 was drawn using Research Advisor table for selecting samples. The primary instruments used in collecting data for the study are a 4-point Likert scale type of questionnaire and oral interview. Using Cronbach Alpha, the questionnaire pre-tested yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.75 whereas data collected with the aid of SPSS 23.0 were analyzed using percentages, tables, mean and standard deviation and the hypotheses analyzed using Pearson Product moment correlation with a criterion mean of 2.50 used for decision. The outcome of this study reveals that librarians are socially perceived and placed at the lowest ebb of the professional strata and to certain level underestimate the level of training required for one to become a librarian. The crown glory is that the users recognized and appreciated the all important role of the public library and librarians as catalyst of transformation. Based on the findings, recommendations were made

Citation Analysis of serials in Postgraduate Theses and Dissertations of Library and Information Science of Public Universities in Southeast, Nigeria

This study is a citation analysis of serials in postgraduate Theses and dissertations of library and information science of public universities in Southeast Nigeria submitted from 2013 to 2021. The study was guide by five research questions in line with the objectives of the study. The study employed a descriptive survey design with a sampled population of 296 derived through census method from four public universities offering library and information science. The principle instruments used in collecting data for this study were self-designed checklists. With the checklists, 12455 serials citations were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mode, mean and range and data presented in tables, charts and graphs using frequencies and percentile. . The study found that the most cited serials types were journals with 76.5% citations followed by conference proceedings/reports with 20% and the least cited being government publication with only .5 citations . This affirms other citation analysis, which found that journals are the most frequently used type. It was further discovered that serials used were either in print or electronic form. . The study also revealed that multi authorship is the most frequently cited author pattern in library graduates theses and dissertations, while annual serials citations range from 1034 to 2205. The study indicated that the average age of serials used was 0 - 20. The study recommended among other things that there should be documentation librarian in each university library whose duty should be tracking down research reports, ensuring proper documentations and upward delivery to the university library circulation unit

Application of Bibliotherapy by School Libraries as a Tool for Enhancement of Reading Culture and Good Behaviors among Students

Bibliotherapy is a concept that involves the use of books to help children cope with their life and has been widely recognized as an approach that will help librarians to better address emotional, behavioral and social concerns of children while reading on the other hand, stimulates imagination, widens views, expands horizon and helps learning about different people and places. Reading is important to human development because it is essential in full participation in the modern society. This study therefore examined the application of bibliotherapy by school libraries as a tool for enhancing reading culture and good behaviors among students. The study employed a descriptive research design with a population sample of 52 senior secondary two students randomly selected from two secondary schools in Enugu, Nigeria with functional library and teacher-librarians. The main instrument for data collection was a 41 item 4-point Likert scale structured and validated questionnaire administered to the students after 10 weeks of reading and discussions of a book written by American authors that talked about safety, love neighborhood, sharing cooperation, tolerance and taking care of our environment. The book that has many stories with the above stated virtues was given to the students to read followed by group discussions which lasted for 10 weeks. The data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and charts while at 0.05 significance, the hypothesis was tested using 2-tailed t-test. The outcome of the study shows that bibliotherapy is indeed an effective tool for enhancing reading culture and good behaviors among students in secondary schools. As there was a tremendous desire and improvement in the reading culture of the students with the application of bibliotherapy and with enhanced reading, the awareness of whom they are and what they ought to do to become responsible citizens became clear to them. It was based on the findings that recommendations were made which include that librarians and school libraries should continually apply this tool as to enhancing the reading culture and good behaviors among students; government should do the needful by equipping school libraries with necessary amenities and have them stocked with pre-vocational books, novels and multi-media materials that will attract students and make reading interesting and that parents as the first teachers of their children, should keep close watch on them and regularly encourage them to read reminding them of the importance of reading among other

An Empirical study of the Influence of Knowledge Sharing Behaviors and Organizational Culture on Staff Performance in University Libraries

Knowledge sharing has been shown to improve individual and organization performance and innovativeness as a result, has become increasingly important to organizations as most organizations are now considered to operate in a knowledge economy. This study therefore investigated knowledge sharing practice as well as organizational culture and their effect on performance of staff of university libraries. The study employed a survey design with a population sample of 79 library staff derived through purposive sampling techniques from two university libraries in Nigeria. The principle instrument used for data collection was a four-point Likert scale structured questionnaire validated by two experts in measurement and evaluation while the study was guided by four research questions and one formulated and tested null hypothesis. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and simple percentages whereas the only null hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and multiple regressions The result of this study did reveal that most library staff keep to punctuality/regularity in work and timely accomplishment of their given task as well as show great commitment to general library duties and exhibit ability to meet the library set objectives and deadline. The study also discovered that organizational culture prevalent in university library were in the area of customers’ (Users) satisfaction, structure, commitment and communication, The outcome of this study also revealed the various knowledge sharing practices of the library staff to include: departmental/unit meetings, general meetings, face-to-face interactions, periodical unit-by-unit meetings, informal interaction sessions, report writing, training and whatsapp group. The study as well found that there were seven major factors militating against knowledge sharing in the university library which invariably affect staff performance. These include; lack of trust among staff; staff idiosyncrasy; lack of organizational policy on knowledge sharing, inhibiting factors of staff performance, inadequate managerial skills, poor verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills and discriminatory attitude of university librarian towards staff. The result of the study further revealed that occupational culture and knowledge sharing practices have significant influence in staff performance in university libraries It is based on the findings and identified challenges facing effective knowledge sharing practices by staff in the university library that recommendations were made which include among other ones that the behavior of the library management needs to symbolize the kinds of values and behaviors that should be realized in every unit/department of the university library on the ground that as change agents, they are keys to the success of this cultural change process and important communicators of new values, university librarians must appreciate their role in maintaining or evolving an organization’s culture and that management of university libraries should note that for them to get the best out of every staff of the library in terms of performance and knowledge sharing, each staff should be seen as more valuable than the organization itsel

Knowledge Sharing Practices and Behaviors in University Libraries: A Survey

In the world we are today knowledge which is acquired through information has become one of the essential commodity for the survival of any organization including institutions like university libraries. As has been revealed in recent knowledge management (KM)-related researches, effective knowledge sharing (KS) is a significant component of KM success. The importance of knowledge sharing in knowledge management can be interpreted as a blood circulating in the body. This study therefore took a look at knowledge sharing practices and behaviors in university libraries using selected federal universities in Nigeria as case in point. The study applied a descriptive survey design method with a sampled population of 200 staffs randomly selected from five selected federal university libraries in Nigeria. It was guided by four research questions and one null hypothesis while a four-point modified Likert scale structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics while Pearson Product Moment correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to test the only null hypothesis at P\u3c0.05 level of significant. The outcome of the study did show accessibility and utilization of some communication technologies in knowledge sharing in university libraries as well as non availability of modern digital technologies for the same purpose. The study further discovered that university libraries knowledge sharing practices were encouraging as the creation; dissemination, transfer and sharing of knowledge among staff were given priority while staffs’ attitude towards knowledge sharing was in the positive. In all, the result shows that there was a significant relationship between library staffs’ knowledge sharing behavior and knowledge sharing practices in university libraries. The study also found that there were factors militating against effective knowledge sharing practices in university libraries which include among other things, lack of knowledge sharing policies. In line with the findings, recommendations were made in which management of university libraries were advised to formulate policies on knowledge sharing practices so that any staff employed will embrace same and work towards that direction as this will take care of ‘not invented here syndrome’, lack of trust among staff and lack of time excuse

Student-librarians awareness and utilization of scholarly electronic resources

The use of e-resources especially the scholarly type offers quality academic resources which contribute greatly to teaching, research and innovation This study therefore, investigated student-librarians’ level of awareness of the existence of electronic resources as well as the extent at which they utilize these resources. The study employed a descriptive survey design with a sampled population of 100 student-librarians derived from four universities in Southeast, Nigeria offering Library and Information Science while it was guided by four research questions formulated in line with the research objectives. The main instrument used to gather data for this study is a 4-point Likert scale structured questionnaire that had items on student-librarians’ level of awareness and extent of utilization of e-resources as well as challenges in the utilization of e-resources by the students.. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentages. The outcome of this study brings to fore the importance of the awareness of e-resources to enhancing research and innovation among student-librarians. The result further revealed that despite efforts by academic institutions to make scholarly e-resources available, they seem to be under-utilized by student-librarians and by extension students. The study among others recommended more practical training for student-librarians as well as librarians so as to familiarize them with several scholarly e-resources and their functionalities as it will assist student-librarians, stakeholders and policy makers comprehend how to harness human capital by ensuring quality education through the optimal utilization of scholarly e-resources for teaching, research and innovation as well as need for academic libraries to carry out from time-to-time, publicity of their services that they know are beneficial to the student as well as current awareness services with a view to alerting the students of the availability of new e-resources

Awareness of Learning Disabilities among Academic Librarians in Federal Universities in Nigeria

Learning disabilities is a generic term that refers to different groups of difficulties manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. .This is a descriptive survey that is aimed at ascertaining the level of awareness of learning disabilities among academic librarians who by position serve heterogeneous clientele. The study was guided by one research question based on the objective of the study. The sample population of this study was 50 academic librarians randomly selected from five federal universities in Southeast, Nigeria while the major instrument used in collecting data for this study was a 20-item test like questionnaire constructed by the researcher to test the basic awareness of learning disability among these academic librarians. The data collected were statistically analyzed on percentile basis and analyses were done on the basis of Level of awareness of learning disabilities and scores achieved in test items by the academic librarians. The outcome of the study shows that the academic librarians had a moderate knowledge about learning disability. To this end it was recommended among others that orientation programmes and workshops need to be conducted so that they can diagnose the problem of students who form bulk of their patrons and intervene accordingly as well as addressing the challenge of lack of awareness among the general public as well as educators and library management