Library Internet Use and Demographic Characteristics of Undergraduates in a Nigerian University: Uncovering the Areas of Need.

This study investigated undergraduates of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria to ascertain whether their demographic profile was a characteristic of library internet usage. Data used for the study was a textual analysis of statistic register on library internet use from May 2017 – June 2018. The study population consisted of 2682 valid name entries during the period under study. Findings revealed that FUTO has greater number of male undergraduates and this is due to the academic structure of the institution.  Discipline wise demographic characteristics showed that undergraduates from Agricultural Economics made most use of the library internet in School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) while those in department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) were the most users in School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET). Also, undergraduates from Information Management Technology (IMT) and Project Management Technology (PMT) used the internet most in School of Management Technology (SMAT) while those in Biotechnology (BIO) were the most users in School of Biological Sciences (SOBS). Further findings revealed that undergraduates from Surveying and Geoinformatics (SVG) were the most library internet users in School of Environmental Technology (SOET) while Biomedical Technology undergraduates (BMT) made use of the internet more than their counterparts in the School of Health Technology (SOHT). Similarly, Computer Science (CSC) students used the internet most in School of Physical Sciences (SOPS). On the overall faculty level, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) made most use of the library internet than other Schools. In terms of study level, it was revealed that final year (500 level) students used the library internet most. Having uncovered the disparity in library internet use, the study recommends among others that embedded librarians in FUTO should promote library operations and services through constant connection and communication with their various departments, continuous marketing and awareness creation of the library’s internet facility. Keywords: Academic library, Internet, Demographic characteristics, FUTO, Undergraduates, Nigerian University, Schools. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-2-08 Publication date: March 31st 202

The Academic Library’s use of Benchmarking to Achieve Outcomes: Benefits and Challenges. Academic Libraries in Imo State Experience.

The research examines the academic library’s use of benchmarking as a means to achieve outcomes with the academic libraries in Imo State as a focal point. The study made use of survey design to investigate a total number of 44 section heads of the academic libraries in Imo State. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Results revealed that most of the section heads were not aware if their academic library makes use of benchmark in its operations and services. It also revealed a lot of benefits that are associated with benchmarking in academic libraries. However, some challenges were identified to inhibit benchmarking in academic libraries in Imo State. Keywords: Benchmark, academic library, benefits, challenges DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-10-06 Publication date: November 30th 201

21st century librarians and effective information service delivery

This article describes the nature of the 21st century and the changing role of academic libraries in the new millennium. It sheds light on the development of hybrid libraries as a panacea for meeting the information needs of twenty first century library users who exhibit much dexterity in using new technologies. It further explores emerging trends in information provision which can be employed by 21st century librarians to reposition the academic library for effective service delivery. Lack of competency, lack of technology literacy and inadequate power supply were highlighted as some of the challenges that hinder effective service delivery. The article submits that librarians should make efforts to acquire 21st century skills through personal training so as to be relevant and defend their profession since funds mapped for training are not always adequate.Keywords: service delivery; librarians, academic libraries; information need

INFORMATION LITERACY: ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS AS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS: WITH FOCUS ON FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI

This research examined information literacy: academic librarians as stakeholders in the learning process with focus to Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). The research adopts survey design to investigate a sample of 40 academic librarians in FUTO. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the research out of which 33 representing 82.5% were duly filled and returned for analysis. Findings revealed that academic librarians play a major role in promoting information literacy in FUTO. The study also identified some of the information literacy programmes available in FUTO. It discovered some of the challenges encountered by academic librarians in the course of delivery information literacy courses. Finally some prospects were identified for enhanced information literacy delivery in Federal University of Technology, Owerri