International Journal of Applied Technologies in Library and Information Management

The effect of Whatsapp and Facebook on students' use of library in University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

Godwin M. Nna-Etuk, Etido E. Etefia, Aniekeme G. Umoh — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the effect of WhatsApp and Facebook on students' use of library in University of Uyo. Based on the objectives of the study, two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The researchers adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of this study consisted of 1,266 being 300 and 400 levels of registered library students from Faculty of Education, University of Uyo Library in 2020/2021 academic session. A sample size of 292 students was used for the study. Data derived from the questionnaire were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypotheses at.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there is a significant influence of WhatsApp and Facebook on student's use of library in University of Uyo. The study recommended that awareness should be created by the library management for the students on the importance of using WhatsApp and Facebook to enhance their study. This will make students regularly visit the library and use their social networks to communicate with fellow colleagues for academic purposes rather than for social purposes.

Availability and utilization of electronic records facilities for effective administration in Kogi and Kwara States colleges of education libraries

Helen Remilekun Oluleye, Ismaila Issa, Stephen Adeyemi Bello — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed at evaluating the availability and utilization of electronic records facilities for effective administration in Kogi and Kwara States colleges of education libraries. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The instruments for data collection were observation check list and questionnaire. Observation check list was used to identify the available electronic records facilities in the college libraries while questionnaire was used to collect data from administrative staff who works in libraries understudy on the extent of used of available electronic records facilities. The questionnaire passed through reliability study with the used of Cronbach's Alpha (á) method, the overall reliability score is 0.96 which is a near perfect score therefore the questionnaire was considered to be reliable. Accidental/judgmental sampling was used. Data collected using observation check list was analyzed using frequency count percentage (≥25%, ≤ 50% as deterministic valve); and descriptive statistics of mean (x) was used for data collected with questionnaire. Bar chart was also used for data presentation. The results were used to determine the extent of availability and the use of the electronic records facilities in the college libraries under study. Thus, overall result obtained revealed that the available electronic records facilities are desktop, compact disc, laptop, system software, digital versatile disc, internet services, router and WIFI connectivity others not available. Biometric capturing machine, application software, access control devices, radio frequency identification are not used. The challenges associated with availability and use of electronic records facilities are poor power supply, technical know-how on electronic records facilities by the administrative staff, poor awareness of electronic records facilities, parent organization not paying attention to need of electronic records facilities, lack of policy to support electronic records facilities availability and usage, and others. Strategies to curbs the challenges include staff should be sensitized about electronic records facilities, alternative power supply e.g. solar energy, enough availability of fund electronic records facilities needs, parent organization of the institution should consider availability and use of electronic records facilities as priority for the administrative staff, up to date information on electronic records facilities should be provided among others. Profound recommendations include parent organization of the institution should make policy to monitor availability, usability, and maintainability of electronic records facilities, the college librarians should enlighten the parent body of their institutions on how to make electronic records facilities available in the library, the college librarians should guide the administrative staff in their libraries on the areas or scope to use the electronic records facilities when available.

Influence of infrastructural facilities on library usage of secondary school students in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria

Basil O. Edom, Mercy Douglas — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated Infrastructural Facilities on Library Usage of Secondary School Students in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo state, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation design was adopted for the study. A total of 394 respondents comprised of SSS II and SSS III students were selected from 25, 195 students from nine public secondary schools in the study area using Taro Yamane sampling formula and proportionate sampling technique to ensure an unbiased representation of the population. The instrument used for the study was a four-point Likert rating scale titled “Influence of information resources and Infrastructural Facilities on Library Usage (IIFLU), the rating scale was divided in two sections. Section A was on respondents' biodata while section B covered the research question and usage of school library. Pearson Moment coefficient correlation formula was used. Cumulative reliability coefficient of .79 and .77, for each variable were obtained showing that the instrument is reliable. Pearson Moment coefficient correlation formula was used to answer the research questions, while t-test of simple linear correlation was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found out, among other things, that there is weak positive relationship between information resources and usage of secondary school libraries by students in the study area but the relationship is significant and that there is very weak positive relationship between recreational facilities and usage of secondary school libraries by students in study area but the relationship is significant. Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that Government at all levels (local, state and federal) should look towards libraries and provide infrastructural facilities as it will go a long way in solving the problem of unavailability of library facilities and library usage in Owerri Municipal Council as found in this study.

Utilisation of social media to bring back users for effective use of physical academic libraries in the 21^st Century in Nigeria

Ekanem B. E. Eyo — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Utilisation of social media in the 21^st century libraries enable libraries to provide attractive library services to achieve the ultimate goal of marketing library and information services and reaching out to users to effectively patronise and use the physical library and its resources. The paper investigated the utilisation of social media to bring back users to effectively use the physical academic libraries in the 21^stcentury in Nigeria. The paper also determined the challenges to utilisation of social media to bring back users to effectively use the physical academic libraries in the 21^st century in Nigeria. The research method adopted for the study was Survey Design of correlational type. Three academic libraries and 55 librarians were totally enumerated. Questionnaire was used to collect data for analysis. The research instrument was validated, to consider its suitability for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency counts, simple percentages, and mean. The findings showed that academic libraries under study underused social media with mean scores below 2.50 criterion benchmark. The paper concluded that the utilisation of social media in library services academic libraries in Nigeria could market, advertise library products and services, promote brands of library images to bring back users to effectively use the library in this 21^st century. The paper recommended that state governments, university authorities and library management should tackle the problems of funding, infrastructural facilities, irregular power supply, among others for efficient and high level utilisation of social media for services delivery in academic libraries for adequate teaching and learning in academic institutions in Nigeria.

Information literacy skills training model for clinicians based on a case study of their information experiences and practices in South-East, Nigeria

Samuel K. Ibenne — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper is the outcome of an exploratory case study of Paediatricians in a tertiary hospital in Southeast, Nigeria, which aimed at providing understanding of the relationship between their information experiences, practices and their decisions in patient care. It was conducted using the qualitative method, with data obtained through interviews, diaries and observation. Paediatricians in the cadres of: Consultants, Senior Registrars, Registrars and Residents provided data which was coded thematically with the Nvivo software and analysed using the interpretative method. The findings are that in general: i) there was haphazard approach to information literacy training for the clinicians during professional education resulting in varied information capabilities, and inadequacy of knowledge and skills for good information practice; ii) obtaining medical information from colleagues was the predominant feature of paediatricians' information practices; iii)printed textbooks were the paediatricians preferred source for obtaining medical evidence, however, there was a growing popularity in the use of electronic medical information sources, including at the point of care; iv) there was general perception by the paediatricians that access to, and use of medical information supports patient care and achievement of better treatment outcomes. This perception instilled a sense of value for information use, demonstrated through the clinicians' dedication to the self-provision of information resources; vi) a dearth of medical resources germane to the contextual management of illnesses led to inadequate clinician knowledge in a good number of cases. The study recommends among others that the information literacy skills training (ILST) model developed from the findings, be used as a practical training tool for information literacy for the paediatricians' at the level of residency training to enhance their skills in medical information sourcing and use in patient care.

Organizing library print resources for enhanced students' information access and utilization in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka

Promise E. Ajogwu, Grace U. Onyebuchi, Bartholomew O. Agu — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was set out to investigate the organization of library print resources for enhanced information access and utilization by undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. To achieve this, seven (7) research questions were developed. A descriptive survey research design was considered appropriate for the study, while observation checklist and questionnaire were use for data collection. Out of the 213 respondents who formed the population, including: 30 librarians who are involved in organization of library print resources in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library and 183 registered undergraduate users which is the total number of registered users in 2020/2021 session in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library at the time of the study, 160 correctly filled and returned their questionnaire, making a return rate of 75%. The data collected from the observation were presented using frequency tables and percentages and charts, while data gotten using questionnaire were presented in mean, percentage and standard deviation. To make appropriate decision, real limit of the numbers were used. The major findings reveal that undergraduates are not satisfied in organization as it affects their access to some of the Library print resources. Among the barriers to organization of library print resources for enhanced information access and utilization are inadequate provision of manual and online tools, laxity and non-commitment of librarians and inadequate infrastructure. Librarians should therefore regularly evaluate undergraduate students' satisfaction with their organization of library print resources while providing updated manual and online tools and equipment for proper access to information resources.

Digitization of cultural heritage information resources for effective utilization in South-East Nigeria

Kate Nkechinyere Ogbu, Ejike Udensi Igwebuike — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the level of digitization and integration of ICT in the preservation and management of cultural information resources for effective utilization in cultural heritage institutions in South-East, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study is 453 consisting of all the staff of public libraries and museums in South-East, Nigeria. The researchers used an observation checklist and a questionnaire for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviations. Also T-test was used for the hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that there is a very low level of digitization of cultural resources in the south-east Nigeria and therefore recommended an urgent need for the digitization of cultural heritage information resources for effective utilization in cultural heritage institutions.

Law reporting and development of Nigerian law: The implications for law library services in the digital age

Emmanuel Owushi — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Law reporting is a crucial element in the development of Nigerian law, correcting errors in previous cases and providing references for similar future cases. It encompasses the documentation of court decisions, offering insights into case details, parties, and court divisions. This practice is integral to judicial precedent, where lower courts are bound by superior court decisions. This paper's objectives are to examine the impact of law reporting on Nigerian law's development, explore the role of vast information resources in law libraries in addressing legal challenges, and identify problems associated with law reporting. The study adopts a descriptive survey research design, with data collected through self-designed questionnaires distributed among legal practitioners. Simple random sampling technique was utilized to sample 200 respondents from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria, namely: Rivers, Anambra, and Ogun State. Hence, 600 respondents were sampled for the study. 600 questionnaires were distributed and 393 were correctly filled and returned, indicating 66% response rate. Descriptive statistics of mean score was used for data analysis. The results show that law reporting significantly influences Nigerian law's development by contributing to legal research, shaping jurisprudence, aiding legal education, and more. However, challenges like inadequate coverage, delayed publication, limited access, and quality control issues hinder its effectiveness. The conclusion highlights the pivotal role of law reporting in Nigerian law's development, promoting transparency, consistency, and access to legal information. To overcome challenges and enhance law reporting's impact, recommendations include comprehensive coverage, timely publication, improved accessibility, standardized citation formats, multilingual support, technological advancement.

Fostering collection development policy training of academic library professionals in Nigeria

Buhari Yakubu — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines collection development policy (CDP) training available to academic library professionals in Nigeria, focusing on CDP training provided in library schools and academic library institutions. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A sample of 150 university librarians was purposely selected from three selected university libraries in Southwest Nigeria. The study revealed that library schools are providing CDP training to academic library professionals but the training is not adequate in implementing CDPs in their libraries. The study also revealed the non-existence of CDP training in academic library institutions in the country. The study concludes that integrating CDP courses in the library school curriculum, introducing certificate short courses on CDP, providing continuing training opportunities on CDP, and collaborating among key stakeholders in providing CDP training are important strategies for fostering CDP training of academic library professionalism Nigeria.

The role of information literacy in counselling and guidance services: An exploration of library and information science perspectives

Charles Moses Ijantiku, Justice Onyekachi Ubogu, Obinna C. Ejimonye — Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper aims to investigate the critical role of information literacy in enhancing counselling and guidance services, drawing insights from the field of Library and Information Science. Information literacy, as a multifaceted skill set, equips individuals with the ability to access, evaluate, and effectively use information, fostering informed decision-making and personal development. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, this paper explores the symbiotic relationship between information literacy and counselling, highlighting their interconnectedness in promoting holistic client well-being. The conceptual framework delves into the key objectives of the study, examining the integration of information literacy into counselling practices. The discussions within this paper underscore the importance of collaboration between information professionals and counsellors, the incorporation of information literacy into therapeutic interventions, and the role of digital literacy in contemporary guidance services. The conclusion reflects on the findings, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and proposing recommendations for the effective integration of information literacy within counselling and guidance contexts.