Technophobia and technostress as deterrents to leveraging ICTs for sustainable information services in Nigerian academic libraries

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are indispensable tools in all engagements of man across the universe. It is no longer news that ICTs are applied and used for provision of information services in libraries. Thus, all forms of library services are delivered with the use of ICTs. However, there are human resources in libraries, both professional and Para-professionals who still regard ICTs as threat to their services, instead of manipulating the technologies for efficiency in service delivery. This could be attributed to a number of challenges, such as the tendency of technophobia as well as techno-stress. This paper therefore examined the possible manifestation of technophobia and techno-stress as deterrents and inhibitors to leveraging ICTs for user information service delivery in Nigerian academic libraries. It discussed concepts of technophobia and techno-stress, nature of user  information services in academic libraries, how technophobia and techno-stress inhibit library services, strategies of overcoming technophobia in academic libraries, and ways of addressing techno-stress in academic libraries. The paper concluded that library practitioners should as a matter of necessity embrace changes in  technology and acquire the required skills; and also made recommendations on the way forward.

Keywords: Technophobia, Techno-stress, ICTs, Information Services, Academic Libraries, Nigeria