ICT Knowledge and Skills Among Students of Library and Information Science in Umaru Musa Yar’adu University, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge and skills amongst the students of library and information science in Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, whether the courses taught in the department were adequate enough to provide students with ICT knowledge and skills, whether there were adequate ICT infrastructures needed for students training and whether the students had adequate knowledge and skills on ICT. Survey technique was adopted for the study and questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Descriptive statistics using simple percentage was used in analyzing the data collected. The results of the study showed that the department had adequate courses with ICT components and also had adequate ICT infrastructures. The study further revealed that students of the department did not have significant knowledge and skills on search engines, computer applications, using and cataloguing e-resources as well as media resources. Recommendations for improving the students’ ICT knowledge and skills include making the department’s information technology and audio visual laboratories more functional by providing laboratory attendants and practical hours in the departmental lecture time table. The department curriculum should be reviewed to include more ICT related core courses.