International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology

Research Institute for Knowledge Content Development & Technology (건국대학교 지식콘텐츠연구소)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Comparative Study of Virtual Methods Used for Library Service Delivery among Librarians in Southern Nigeria Private Universities

  • Titilayo Comfort Ilesanmi (Kenneth Dike Library University of Ibadan)
  • Received : 2023.01.17
  • Accepted : 2023.02.19
  • Published : 2024.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This study examined the virtual methods of service delivery being deployed by librarians in private universities in Nigeria. The objective of the study was to analyse the virtual methods of service delivery among librarians and determine the predominant method used among the librarians. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Total enumeration technique was adopted for the study. A population of 181 librarians from 45 private universities in Southern Nigeria were involved. Data were gathered, analysed and presented using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study found that librarians used different virtual methods of service delivery. Library website 157 (90%) and e-mail 132 (76.3%) were the prominent electronic media used by librarians while Facebook 59 (34%) and Whatsapp 57 (32.9%) were the predominant social media platforms applied for service delivery by librarians. Electronic media were more used for latest publications arrival, as well as library education and document delivery services while social media were more used for reference services and selective dissemination of information. In conclusion, virtual methods of service delivery were deployed by librarians in private universities for service delivery. In comparing the virtual methods, librarians used more of electronic media than social media to deliver services to their users. Therefore, electronic media were predominantly used than social media, many of the virtual methods were found to be underutilised while recommendations were proffered.

Keywords

References

  1. Adams, J. A., & Bonk, S. C. (1995). Electronic information and resources: use by university faculty and faculty preferences for related library services. College and Research Libraries, 56(2), 119-131. DOI: 10.5860/crl_56_02_119
  2. Aharony, N., & Bronstein, J. (2014). Academic Librarians' perceptions on information literacy: the Israeli perspective. Libraries and the Academy, 14(1), 103-119.
  3. Ajala, E B., & Ojo, R. A. (2011). Electronic document delivery: The Ibadan University Library experience. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery and Electronic Reserve, 21(4), 199-205.
  4. Akporhonor, B. A., & Endouware, C. B. (2016). Challenges of using web 2.0 tools among University Librarians in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Information Technologist, 13(1), 153-161.
  5. Alabi, A. O., Nduka, S. C., & Olatise, O. M. (2011). Developing strategies towards information service delivery (ISD) in academic libraries in South-west Nigeria. National Library Association's 49th National Conference and Annual General Meeting on information for all: strategies for national development. L. O. Aina Ed. Emmanus house complex, Author Eze Avenue, Awka, Anambra State. 10-15 July. 119-234.
  6. Baro, E. E., Idiodi, E. O., & Godfrey, V. Z. (2013). Awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. OCLC Systems and Services, 29(3), 170-188. DOI: 10.1108/OCLC-12-2012-0042
  7. Bhardwaj, R. K. (2014). Use of social networking sites by LIS professionals in higher education institutions in India: a study. The Reference Librarian, 55(1), 74-88.
  8. Cohen, H. (2011). Social media definitions. Retrieved from http://heidicohen.com/social-media-definition/
  9. Daft, R. L., & Lengel, R. H. (1984). Information richness: a new approach to managerial behaviour and organisational design. Research in organisation behaviour. L. L. Cummings and B. M. Staw Eds. Homewood, IL: JAI Press. 191-233.
  10. Dahan, S. M., Taib, M. Y., Zainudin, N. M., & Ismail, F. (2016). Surveying users' perception of academic library services quality: case study in university Malaysia Pahang (UMP) library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(1), 38-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2015.10.006
  11. Ezeani, C. N. (2011). Network literacy skills of academic librarians for effective service delivery: the case of University of Nigeria Library System. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved from digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/648/
  12. Ilesanmi, T. C. (2013). Roles of the librarian in a research library in the digital era: challenges and the way forward. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 19(1), 5-14.
  13. Ilesanmi, T. C., & Mabawonku, I. M. (2020). Use of social media space for library service delivery: evidence from Southern Nigeria universities. Library Philosophy and Practice, Retrieved from https://media.proquest.com/media/hms/PFT/1/ABC9F?_s=N2nwUyPPeyHP8gC3mSLZ%2BrpdAIQ%3D
  14. Ilesanmi, T. C., & Ojo, R. A. (2016). Awareness of Electronic Resources Databases and Assessment of Information Technology (IT) Facilities Used by Distance Learners at the Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Benue Journal of Library Management and Information Science, 6(2), 1-14.
  15. Jaiyeoba, A. O., & Salami, S. O. (2006). Research designs. Research methods in education. G. O. Alegbeleye, I. Mabawonku, and M. Fabunmi Eds. Ibadan: Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, 112-137.
  16. Jantz, R. C. (2012). Innovation in academic libraries: an analysis of university librarians' perspectives. Library and Information Science Research, 34(1), 3-12. Rutgers University. https://doi.org/10.7282/T3M90714.
  17. Kabir, S. M., & Efe, O. E. (2022). Social media use and service delivery by professionals in Ahmadu Bello University Library, Zaria. Journal of Information Management, 9(1), 83-91.
  18. Khasheli, M., & Siddiqui, R. P. (2022). Government college librarian's use of social media for professional development in Sindh, Pakistan. International Journal of Librarianship, 7(2), 88-105.
  19. Mabawonku, I. M. (2017). From tablet to tablet: information, media and technology acceptance. An inaugural lecture delivered at the University of Ibadan on Apr. 20, 2017. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press. 50.
  20. Madhusudhan, M., & Nagabhushanam, V. (2012). Use of web-based library services in select university libraries in India: a study. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 2(1), 1-20.
  21. Mamudu, P. A., & Otulugbu, D. (2014). Librarians as information miners: the case of Nigeria. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 5(2), 57-68.
  22. Mbofung, U. (2014). Self-management and information services delivery of library and information science professionals in federal universities in Nigeria. Library Management, 35(6/7), 454-468.
  23. Mbofung, U., & Popoola, S. O. (2014). Legal and ethical issues of information service delivery and library and information science professionals in university libraries in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1183
  24. Monagle, H., & Finnegan, A. (2018). Use of social by new library professionals: outcomes from a UK survey. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 50(4), 435-467.
  25. Nnadozie, C. O. (2016). Interaction between librarians ICT skills and faculty members' satisfaction with information delivery in university libraries. Middlebelt Journal of Library and Information Science, 14, 32-46.
  26. Ola, C. O. (2010). Reference service delivery system in West Africa: limitations and prospects as seen from Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Internet Reference Quarterly, 15, 97-106.
  27. Omekwu, C. O., & Eruvme, U. (2014). Application of information and communication technology (ICT) in Delta State Polytechnic Libraries, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 7(1), 46-60.
  28. Opeke, R. O., & Onuoha, U. D. (2013). Librarians' use of social media networks in Nigeria. Pacific North-West Library Association Quarterly PNLAQ, 77(2), 95-103.
  29. Park, N. Chung, J. E., & Lee, S. (2012). Explaining the use of text based communication media: an examination of three theories of media use. Cyberpsychology Behaviour and Social Networking, 15(7), 357-363.
  30. Quadri, G. O., & Idowu, O. A. (2016). Social media use for information dissemination in three federal university libraries in Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Library and Information Services in Distance Learning, 10(1/2), 30-40. doi: 10.1080/1533290X.2016.1156597
  31. Quadri, M. O., Quadri, G. O., & Oluwasina, O. O. (2015). Information and communication technology (ICT) application in library services: a comparative study of two Nigerian universities. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 8(2), 35-41.
  32. Salt, R. (2004). Infoservices: a multi-channel, multi-tier model for information service delivery. Proceedings of IATUL Conferences. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2004/papers/32.
  33. Singha, S. C., & Sarmah, M. (2015). Web 2.0 tools in enhancing the best practices of user services in academic libraries: a comparative study of central university libraries in Assam State. International Journal of Advanced Library and Information Science, 3, 249-260.
  34. Smeaton, K., & Davis, K. (2014). Using social media to create a participatory library service: an Australian study. Library and Information Research, 38, 54-76.
  35. Tyagi, S. (2012). Use of web 2.0 technology by library professionals: study of selected engineering colleges in western Uttar Pradesh. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 32, 439-445.
  36. Weerasinghe, S., & Hindagolla, B. M. M. C. B. (2018). Use of Social Network Sites (SNS) by library academics in the workplace: perspectives of university librarians in Sri Lanka. Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, 21(2), 21-43.
  37. Yu-Feng, L., & Yang-Siang, S. (2010). Using RSS to support mobile learning based on media richness theory. Computers and Education, 55(2), 723-732.