International Journal of Applied Technologies in Library and Information Management

Managing technology and cultural diversity in public libraries in the digital age

Udo Nwokocha — 2024-09-09

This paper discusses managing cultural diversity in public libraries with the help of technologies in the digital era. It conceptually examines cultural diversity and technology in managing public libraries in digital era. The concepts of technology, librarianship and cultural diversity were explained in some detail and were linked together to make the study robust. Challenges associated with managing cultural diversity in the public library are highlighted. The paper recommends among others that managers and heads of public libraries should fully take advantage of modern technologies to deal with cultural diversity and ensure that their employees are valued for their contributions and worth and protected against prejudice.

Postgraduate students' perception as correlates of electronic information resources usage for research in universities in North-West, Nigeria

Muhammad Yusuf — 2024-09-09

The study investigated the perception of postgraduate students as correlates of electronic information resources usage for research in universities in North-west, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research objectives, one research question and one research hypothesis. The population of the study consisted of 26,531 postgraduate students in 12 universities in North-west, Nigeria. The study employed descriptive correlational research design to elicit information from the respondents. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select sample size of 530 postgraduate students from the population of 26,531 within the 12 universities. Structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Out of 530 copies of structured questionnaire administered 499 copies were filled, returned and found to be usable. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. To provide answer research question one, the study revealed that the perception of the postgraduate students to electronic information resources usage for research is positive with a weighted mean score of 2.785, Std=0.992. Hypothesis one tested showed that there is significant relationship between postgraduate students' perception and the electronic information resources usage for research with (r= 0.28, P<0.05).The study concluded that postgraduate students in universities in North-West Nigeria have positive perceptions of electronic information resources, which significantly influence their use for research projects, theses and dissertations. Universities and libraries should sensitize postgraduate students about electronic resources, invest in ICT infrastructure, provide reliable internet access, maintain databases, and offer customized support services. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and expanding electronic resource collections can enhance electronic information resources usage for research.

Prospects and challenges of implementing makerspace in libraries in Nigeria

Oluchi Chidozie — 2024-09-09

Information Technology (IT) no doubt has changed the function of the library. Libraries in Nigeria are using information technology to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their day-to-day library work and services. The presence of makerspace in libraries can present new challenges and considerations. In view of the above, this paper, therefore examines prospects and challenges of implementing makerspaces in Nigerian libraries. It discusses the overview of information technology and libraries. The paper also looks into the concept of makerspace. It equally discusses the prospects of makerspace in Nigerian libraries and the challenges in implementing makerspace in Nigerian libraries, which includes cost, staffing and scheduling, staff and patron training, neatness, noise and maintenance, safety and liability, copyright and intellectual property, resistance to change. It concludes that as technology is changing the dominant form of recorded thought from print to electronic, libraries must evolve to fit into the changing nature of technologies in meeting the needs of library users.

Staff training as a correlate of library development in public universities in Imo State, Nigeria

Ogechi Nkechinyere Okorie — 2024-09-09

The study examined staff training as a correlate of library development in public universities in Imo State, Nigeria. It was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. Correlation design was adopted for the study. The entire population of 161 library staff was also adopted as sample for the study. A researcher rating scale was used as instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation. The hypotheses were tested using t- test statistics at 0.05 level of significance Findings show among others that: there is a significant high positive relationship between orientation and library development; there is a significant moderate positive relationship between job rotation and library development and, there is a significant moderate positive relationship between technical skill training and library development. The researcher therefore recommended that the management should introduce varieties of training programmes and encourage staff to participate in them to maintain more positive library development.

Digital literacy skills and job performance of librarians in Federal and State University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

Nelson Agbro — 2024-09-09

The research investigated digital literacy skills and job performance of librarians in federal and state university libraries in south-south, Nigeria. Five hypotheses guided this study. This study is based on Campbell (1990) Job performance and Davis (1989) Technology Acceptance Model theoretical frameworks. The study adopted a correlational research design with a population of 283 librarians and sample size of 200 librarians. The instrument deployed for eliciting data is a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher. The questionnaire was validated by two experts from Department of Library and Information Science from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education affiliated to College of Education, Warri and was also subjected to reliability test which showed high consistency level (r = 0.98) in the instrument. The data elicited were analyzed using both descriptive (such as frequencies and statistical mean) and inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Simple Regression. It was found that electronic mailing skills of librarians predicted their job performance by 96% implying a high prediction. The null hypothesis is therefore rejected implying that there is a significant relationship between librarians' electronic mailing skills and their job performance in federal and state university libraries in south-south, Nigeria. This means that an increase electronic mailing skills will lead to a corresponding increase in the job performance of librarians and vice versa. The findings revealed that the relationship that existed between all the digital literacy, skills and job performance of librarians in federal and state university libraries in south-south, Nigeria is high. Based on the conclusion, it is evident that librarians have knowledge of these skills to fit into the demand of the digital age. It is recommended that librarians should scale up their interest in the aspect of digital literacy in order to take advantage of its potentials.

Information communication and technology skills by undergraduate students: a survey study of college of health technology in Ufuoma, Ughelli

Happy Gbogbonoshe — 2024-09-09

The paper discussed issues related to Information Communication and Technology Skills(ICTs) by Undergraduate Students at the College of Health Technology in Ufuoma, Ughelli A Survey Study. Three research questions were formulated. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. A sample of 200 students was selected from Health Technology Ufuoma, Delta State and used for the study. A two parts questionnaire was used in eliciting information from the sample. The stated research questions were analyzed with the use of the simple percentage method. Based on the analysis, the following findings emerged, that; there was difference in computer use skill levels among students; that there was gender difference on the frequency with which students make use of computers; that there was no difference between the attitude of male and female students towards the use of computers; It was further recommended that the need for the acquisition of ICT skills should be emphasized among students through seminars and orientation programmes; that adequate provision of computers should be provided for students of higher education, especially female students in order to bridge the gap between the skills of male and female students.

Influence of work burnout on job commitment of library personnel in public university libraries in South-West, Nigeria

Martins Dodo — 2024-09-09

Library personnel are crucial to university libraries, and their job commitment is essential for enhanced service delivery in public universities. This study explores how work burnout affects job commitment of librarians in public university libraries in South-West Nigeria. It focuses at determining the levels of work burnout and job commitment among these personnel. A descriptive survey design of the correlational type was employed, involving 352 library personnel from 16 public university libraries in South-west Nigeria. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that most respondents are male, aged 31-40 years. The results show a moderate level of both work burnout and job commitment among the library personnel in public university libraries, South-West Nigeria. A significant relationship exists between work burnout and job commitment (r = .398, p < 0.05), indicating that work burnout significantly impacts job commitment. Challenges such as technical issues, power failures, inadequate training, lack of recognition and poor remuneration contribute to the low job commitment. The study concludes that addressing work burnout is essential, fostering a committed workforce, which is vital for the growth and development of universities. Recommendations include improving remuneration packages, providing training and retraining for library personnel, and deploying the latest ICT facilities to enhance productivity in public university libraries in South-west Nigeria.

Resource sharing practices and management of collections in public university libraries in South-East Nigeria

Hyacienth Nnaemeka Ugodu — 2024-09-09

This study investigated the correlation between resource sharing practices and management of collections in public university libraries in South-East, Nigeria. A correlation research design approach was adopted for this study. The study population was 551 library staff made up of 10 university librarians and 541 professional and nonprofessional library staff from the ten public university libraries studied. The Bill-Godden statistical formula was used to derive the sample size of the study. Validated questionnaire and interview schedule were the instruments used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean values and average mean to determine the mean variance. Chi-square statistics was used to test the five hypotheses used in the study on a significance level of 0.05. The results show that interlibrary loans constitute a strong variable in resource sharing practices and management of collections and that there is a strong correlation between consortia and management of collections in public university libraries in South-East Nigeria. The study recommended an urgent need to embrace active resource sharing practices among the studied university libraries as it would enable them to meet the information needs of the teeming library users especially against the current trend of dwindling financial resources and information glut.

Information needs, awareness and utilization of research4life databases by pharmacy undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Blessing Nnenna Otubelu — 2024-09-09

The purpose of the study was to examine the information needs, awareness and utilization of research4life databases by pharmacy undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. Survey research design was used for the study. The sample size for the study comprised 169 four hundred level undergraduate students of Pharmacy (2023/2024 session). Information needs of Pharmacy Undergraduate Students Questionnaire (INPUSQ), Pharmacy Undergraduate Students' Awareness of Research4life Databases Questionnaire (PUSARDQ) and Utilization of Research4life Databases by Pharmacy Undergraduate Students Questionnaire (URDPUSQ) were used to collect data. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that drug chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medications, therapeutics among others are the information needs of undergraduate students of pharmacy. The findings of the study further revealed that undergraduate students of pharmacy are not only aware of research4life and internet sources but utilize them. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that University library administrators should sustain their enlightenment of undergraduate students of pharmacy onresearch4life and internet sources.

Information-seeking behavior of women in internally displaced persons (IDPs) sites in Western Equatorial State, South Sudan

Aisha Jummai Abdulsalam — 2024-09-09

This research was carried out to investigate the Information seeking behaviour of Women for Information Services in IDP Sites of Western Equatoria State, South Sudan. To have an insight on how to reduce challenges faced by women at the IDP sites in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan. The study sought to uncover South Sudan through obtaining the information needs of women in the IDP sites,to ascertain the information seeking behaviour of women in IDP sites and inquire how women in the IDP sites access information available to them. The study adopted the qualitative research methodology and specifically an interpretive phenomenology research design. The population of this study consisted of eight women leaders among the IDP population in sites of Western Equatoria State, South Sudan. The snowball sampling technique was used for the participants selection and data collection was done utilizing Semi-structured interview, while thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings from the research revealed that information needs of IDP women in the study area includes information on health, information on education, food, current trends, finance and relocation. Information is usually obtained through documents disseminated at the sites, peer networks, social networks, camp leadership, although some of the IDPs are not privy to the information due to a series of barriers. This also serves as a hinderance in them accessing some essential services that eases their stay at the IDP sites. The population in Western Equatoria are generally at risk of multiple displacement unless the Government and other stakeholders make frantic efforts towards sustained peace building and curbing the internal, sub-national and ethnopolitical crisis within the country.

Impact of Twitter and Instagram technology utilization on reading habits of undergraduate students in federal universities in South-South, Nigeria

Uwem John Akpan — 2024-09-09

The study investigated the influence of Twitter and Instagram Technology Utilization and Reading Habits of Undergraduate Students in Federal Universities in South-South Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Literature review was carried out in line with the sub-variables of the study. Survey research design was used for the study. The study sampled 1,315 students out of 6,575 which is 20 percent of the total population of the students registered in 2021/2022 academic year in the area of study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled; Impact of Twitter and Instagram Technology Utilization on Reading Habits of Undergraduate Students questionnaire [ITTURHUSQ]. The questionnaire was validated by experts in Measurements and Evaluation from the department of Educational Foundations, University of Calabar, Calabar. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Coefficient Alpha Reliability and the variables have an index of .71 and above. One-way analysis of variance statistics was used to analyse the data. Each of the hypotheses was tested at .05 level of significance. The result showed that there was a significance influence of twitter usage and instagram usage on reading habits of undergraduate students in Federal universities in South-south Nigeria. The study concludes that Twitter and Instagram have a significant influence on the students' study habits. Hence, recommended among others that authorities in tertiary institutions should establish rules and regulations that will limit students excessive used of twitter and instagram during school hours.

Needs assessment for the establishment of rural library In Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni local government area of River State, Nigeria

Umah Chigozie — 2024-09-09

The study investigated need assessment for the establishment of rural library in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The study was guided by three (3) research questions which include the relevance need of establishing a rural library in the community; sources of funding for the library andfactors militating against the establishment of rural library in rural community. The sample size was 288 drawn from the population comprising of community leaders from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State. A well-structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Cronbach Alpha was used to test the reliability of the study with reliability co-efficient of 0.84. mean was used as statistical tool for analyzing of the data collected. The findings of the study revealed among others that there is need for establishment of rural library in the communities and that there should be regular source s of funding for the library. Based on the findings, it was recommended that seminars, workshops and conferences should be organized periodically for the traditional rulers and other community leaders on the importance of rural library development towards community building and the state government should mandate every local government chairman to build and maintain at least two functional libraries in their local government headquarter and the out sketch of the council.