Evaluating Preschool Librarians’ Utilisation of Information and Communication Technology for Virtual Library Services

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become vital in twenty-first-century classrooms. In a similar vein, the pandemic of coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) has prompted most countries to emphasize the use of ICT resources to build an online teaching platform. This development has prompted questions about Nigeria\u27s educational system, as it is unknown how well-prepared instructors are to use ICT in the classroom. In this regard, there is a scarcity of research on how preschool librarians in Nigeria use ICT in their instruction. Thus, this research explored preschool librarians’ utilisation of information and communication technology for virtual library services. A descriptive survey research design was adopted using 157 preschool librarians sampled from primary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria. The researchers developed and validated an information and communication technology usage questionnaire for this study. Using the Cronbach alpha approach, the internal consistency reliability index of the instrument\u27s items was estimated to be 0.76. The data was gathered during the researchers\u27 visits to the study\u27s schools. The data were quantitatively analyzed using a mean and bar chart. It was discovered that preschool librarians use ICT for virtual library services in a very limited way. This means that unless immediate effort is made to encourage preschool librarians to use ICT to provide virtual library services, effective virtual library deployment would be impossible. As a result, it was suggested that preschool librarians be encouraged to use ICT to provide virtual library services through in-service training

Evaluating Preschool Librarians’ Information and Communication Technology Competency Level for Online Teaching

For adequate teaching and learning, twenty-first-century classrooms, combined with the needs of the new normal in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, have mandated the effective use of online education platforms. This begs the question of how well-versed in information and communication technologies Nigerian Preschool Librarians are (ICT). Because there is a scarcity of studies on the subject, this is the case. As a result, the researchers were in a good position to determine or measure the level of ICT expertise of Preschool Librarians in order to embrace online education during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The descriptive survey research design was used in this study, which was based on the scientific research paradigm and quantitative research technique. The survey included 165 Preschool Librarians from the Nsukka Education Zone in Enugu State, Nigeria. Data was collected using an ICT competency questionnaire that has been adequately validated and trial-tested. Using the Cronbach Alpha reliability method, the questionnaire\u27s internal consistency reliability index was assessed to be 0.87. The data was analyzed using the mean statistical method to produce a response to the research question. Preschool librarians were found to have a low level of ICT expertise for the use of online instruction. It was also discovered that preschool librarians\u27 level of ICT skills was significantly (p \u3c .05) influenced by their age. As a result, it was suggested that the Local Government Education Authority provide in-service ICT training opportunities for teachers to ensure proper ICT use in the classroom

Influence of Preschool Librarians’ Demographic Characteristics on their Library Discipline Practices: An Ex-post Facto Research

The success of various discipline practices in controlling children\u27s behavior in the classroom has been a major source of concern among preschool librarians. Despite the relevance of library discipline in managing disruptive conduct in children, there appears to be a knowledge gap regarding the impact of preschool librarians\u27 demographic features on their discipline practices. As a result, this study measured the influence/impact of preschool librarians\u27 demographic factors on their library disciplinary practices using authoritarian behavioural theory. With a sample of 156 preschool librarians in Enugu State\u27s Nsukka Education Zone, the study used an ex-post facto research design. The researchers developed and validated a preschool librarians\u27 discipline practices questionnaire, which was used to collect data. The internal consistency reliability index of the questionnaire items was found to be 0.89 using the Cronbach alpha method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The study\u27s findings revealed that the age and marital status of preschool librarians had significant (p = .05) impacts on their library discipline practices. As a result, it was suggested that the Local Government Education Authority prioritize librarians\u27 age and marital status while recruiting preschool librarians

Assessment of Preschool Librarians’ Library Disciplining Strategies for Effective Use of Preschool Library

Effective use of school libraries is very germane in achieving effective teaching and learning at various levels of education. Most importantly, the cultivation of the habit of using library by preschool children at the foundation phase will go a long way in patterning the reading habits of the children as they advance in their education. Currently, most preschool children exhibit unruly traits which are potential threats to effe3ctive management of preschool library. However, literature is scarce on the disciplining practices of the preschool Librarians for effective management of school library. Thus, this study was necessitated to explore the library disciplining practices adopted by preschool Librarians for effective use of preschool library. The study adopted a quantitative research approach and specifically a descriptive survey research design using a sample of 156 preschool Librarians in Nsukka Education Zone. Necessary data for the study were collected using a structured instrument titled Library disciplining practices of preschool Librarians’ questionnaire”. The instrument was properly face validated and trial-tested yielding an internal consistency reliability index of 0.85 using the Cronbach Alpha method. Data obtained from the fieldwork were analysed using mean and t-test of independent samples to provide answers to the research questions and test the associated null hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that the disciplining practices adopted by preschool Librarians are review/reorganization/self-examination, dialogue/discussion, punishment, and recognition/reward. It was thus recommended that the Local Government Education Authority should encourage other preschool Librarians to use mostly those identified library disciplining practices for effective management of preschool library