Assessment of mobile phones utilization among librarians of Federan University Gashua Library for Information Service Delivery

Abstract

This study assessed the use of mobile phones for enhancement of information services in the library of Federal University Gashua and  two research objectives guided the study. The study adopted quantitative methodology and survey research design. The population of  the study was twenty eight (28) which comprised the entire staff in the Library of federal University Gashua, Yobe State. Thus, the sample  of the population of this study captured all the twenty eight 28(100%) of the staff in the library due to the size of the population.  Observation and questionnaire were instrument used for data collection. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequency count and  percentages. The findings revealed that Smart Phones, Cell Phones, Tablets, iPods and MP3 players are mobile technologies that are  mostly used for information services. Moreover, Smart phones and Cell phones are mostly used in information service delivery among  other mobile technologies. The findings further revealed that mobile phone/online information services were utilized on daily bases and  most respondents were satisfied with the application of mobile phone for information services. Indeed, mobile phones enhanced User  Friendly, Personalised service, Increased Access to Information, Time Saving, Users participation, Awareness, Limitless Access, Allow  access to print-disabled Users and Access to e-library and e-resources. The recommendations made include the need for the university  Management to regularly procure the latest mobile phone technologies for the library and ensuring proper management of the available  ones which are in existence in the library in addition to training and retraining of the library staff on the latest telephone  technologies that are in vogue.