An Appraisal of Digital Reference Services in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

This study examined digital reference services in Nigeria university libraries. A descriptive research design of the ex-post facto was adopted in the study. The instrument used in collecting data for this study was the questionnaire. One hundred and twenty respondents were randomly selected from six Nigerian universities comprising federal, state and private universities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the research questions while chi-square statistics was employed to test the research hypotheses in the study. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study shows that the use of digital facilities in reference services lead to better reference services, unfortunately most reference libraries are not equipped with digital facilities, consequently the staff are not skilled in the application. The recommendations of the study emphasized that Nigerian universities libraries should ensure adequate digital facilities for effective reference services. In addition, orientation and workshops on digital reference skills should be given to library staffs to enable them perform their duties effectively.

Key Words: Reference, Service, Digital, Information, Delivery, Librarian.