Assessing ICT literacy among paraprofessional librarians for service delivery at Abdullahi Fodiyo Library, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Abstract

This article assessed the ICT literacy among Para-professional librarians at Abdullahi Fodiyo Library Complex for effective service delivery. Objectives of the paper include, to establish the source of ICT literacy skills, assess the types of ICT facilities used and to examine the type of services provided by Para-professionals librarians. This study adopted descriptive survey design and the population of the study was the entire one hundred and twenty-six (126) Para-professional librarians in Abdullahi Fodiyo Library complex. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and data collected were then converted into simple percentages and means scores and presented in tabular form for clarity. Descriptive method was used to analyzed data collected. The findings revealed that majority of the Para-professional librarians acquired ICT literacy through self study, while only few Para-professional librarians indicated that they acquired their ICT skills through workshops and seminars. The findings of the study also showed that majority of the respondents provide internet services in the library, while minority of the respondent provide circulation services. Higher percentage of the Para-professional librarians indicated lack of interest as the major challenge militating against ICT literacy in the library. In order to improve ICT literacy skills for Para-professional librarians, the article recommended that there is the need to provide adequate access to ICT facilities such as laptops, digitals cameras, printers, projectors, photocopiers among others with view to improve competencies of para-professional librarians in providing effective services.