ABSTRACT
This research work investigated the Influence of Technology
on Library Information Service Rendering in selected University library in Edo
State. The specific objectives included to determine the types of technologies
in university Libraries, to determine the extent of use of technologies in
service rendering in the libraries and to determine the benefits of technology
on users of selected academic libraries amongst others. Survey research design
was adopted for the study, and the population of the study was 56 which
comprise of all librarians (persons with a minimum of BSC in LIS in all
University libraries in Edo state. The purposive sampling technique was used in
selecting the respondents for the sample. The data collection instrument
adopted was the questionnaire and data collected was analyzed using percentage
and descriptive statistics, frequencies. The study revealed that most
university libraries make very much use of the following technologies in
service rendering; computers were mostly used in addition to internet,
Photocopier scanners, printers, inverter cooling system, Public access
Catalogue Terminals and Projectors. The least used were Electronic Book cart/
Trolley, intercom, audio disc player and Online Book Publishing. The study
further identified challenges affecting librarians in service rendering to
include inadequate funding and lack of relevant materials to meet Librarian
needs. Based on the findings, it was recommend that University Libraries should
be equipped with more technological inputs and tools that can adequately aid
the Librarians in the discharge of their responsibilities to library users.
Also, Librarians should personally utilize a large number of self-improvement
training facilities online.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1
Background
to the study.
Service effectiveness is often
associated with a judgment of how well a service is performing by the direct
beneficiaries of that service. In the opinion of Harvey (2004), it is the
extent to which an activity fulfils its intended purpose or function. The
concept of service effectiveness is of utmost importance to university
libraries because the effectiveness of the library as a whole can be inferred
from its service provision. In the view of Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain
(2006), well-stocked and efficient libraries act as eyes or pathfinders for
researchers and provide them the inspiration to venture into new areas of
research. An ineffective library, on the other hand, may lead to low quality or
duplication of research thus resulting in waste of financial, material and
human resources.
Lancaster (2000) was of the opinion
that, the overall criterion of effectiveness is the proportion of user demands
that are satisfied. Satisfaction has however, been described as a sense of
contentment that arises from an actual experience in relation to an expected
experience (Hernon and Whitman 2001). It is a judgment that a service provided
(or is providing) a pleasurable level of consumption. Satisfaction with library
services is therefore, a feeling of fulfillment that is derived from the use of
library services.
Assessing service effectiveness from users’
perspective is of crucial importance to libraries as Buckland (1999) warns,
that considering library services in the absence of the people who use them
would have little meaning and less benefit. Therefore, it is necessary for
university libraries to understand how user group views their services in order
to aid the planning of future services. Library managers are most strategically
positioned to deal with issues relating to work process creation, evaluation
and improvement strategies. The argument here is that they are professionally
and educationally trained to do so. Library managers must realize that old ways
of doing things can no longer cope with the challenges of a globalized
environment and information and communication technology-driven work culture.
Failure to initiate fast, adaptable, dynamic and interactive work process will
invite the imposition of same from other professions like Information
Communication Technology, organizational developers and management consultants.
The Library as an important and integral
component of a higher institution has offered opportunity for students and
staff to explore and expand their minds (Blau, 2004). It could be said that the
library has become a focal place for enrichment, entertainment, education and
empowerment through knowledge. In striving to serve its client, there is need
for a library to clearly understand the continually changing needs of its
constituency, from undergraduates, graduates, academic staff and even school
age children and local citizens (Blau, 2004). Despite the processing and
propagation of library resources, a key trait of a university library is the
services based around personal interaction between users and the library staff.
Librarians should make sure that these services show proper levels of customer
care and that the information given to the users is useful and at the right
level (Loughborough University Library, 2005).
It is interesting to note that to be
successful, today’s librarians need to not only understand but also embrace
current and emerging technologies affecting library functions and the
information needs of library users (Nyambpga and Kemparaju, 2002). Olanlokun
and Tiamigh (1982) have opined that with the advent of technology, things that
were done manually in the past are now done using computers and communication
technologies. In otherwords technology involves the application of computers
and other information communication gadgets to facilitate the librarian work.
Thus, technology has become a blessing in the generation, packaging and
utilization of information by information seekers, and librarians should braze
up to the new challenges. In a survey conducted by Ojo and Akande (2005) to
know how students use the electronic information resources, it was gathered
that students use technology (internet) more. Other electronic information
resources used by students in the order of importance include CD-ROM,
e-Journal, OPAC. A lot of academic information can be received using the
resources both inside and outside of the library. This may be the reason why
they are more popular than other resources. Asked where they normally go to
access electronic information resources, some of them say cyber café, while
others say they use the internet in the library, others use the internet in
their parents’ offices.
Technology is pervasive in connecting
peers, exploring interests, and finding both informational and recreational
material (Ito et al. 2008). According
to Ito et al., teens use online spaces, which allows for “constant contact with
friends via texting, IM, mobile phone and Internet connections” (2008). They
also “use the online world to explore their interests and find information
beyond what they have access to at school or in their local community”. This
enables them to connect to peers with specialized interests and fosters
exploration of new media and technology. This “messing around” and variety of
play experiences (Crow 2011) foster curiosity and give students the opportunity
to explore and create.
The unprecedented pace of technological
change in the development of digital information networks and electronic
services in recent years has also helped to expand the role of the academic
library. Once only a storehouse of printed materials, it is now a
technology-laden information network where students can conduct research in a
mixed print and digital-resource environment, experience the use of advanced
information technologies, and hone their computer skills (Weddell, 2008).
Academic libraries especially the university libraries have been using ICT in
the provision of services and in the management of their collection. This is a
shift from the traditional method.
1.2 Statement of problems
The library has traditionally been seen
and recognized as the academic heart of the university, with students relying
mostly on it for their information needs. Although libraries strive hard to
ensure that services are effective, it is not unlikely that users, especially
undergraduates have a different view of library services. In order to reconcile
the library’s assessment of its own service effectiveness with that of the
users, it therefore becomes necessary for libraries to carry out occasional
assessment of service effectiveness.
Technology was expected to support the
level of service rendering in libraries but over the years this has not been
the case due to poor documentation and users apathy. However, as Ojo and Akande
(2005) confirmed not much has been documented on its impact on effective
information service rendering of academic libraries. Therefore, in the light of
this, this study examined the influence of technologies on Library function and
effective information service in selected
university libraries in Edo State.
1.3 Objectives of the study.
The broad objective of this study is to
look at the influence of technologies on Library function and effective
information service rendering. The specific objectives are:
1.
To determine the types of technologies
in university Libraries.
2.
To determine the extent of use of
technologies in service rendering in the libraries.
3.
To determine the benefits of technology
on users of selected academic libraries.
4.
To find out the challenges in the use of
technologies on services rendering in selected academic libraries.
5.
To determine possible solutions to
challenges associated with the use of technology in library service rendering.
1.4 Research Questions.
1.
What are the types of technologies in
university Libraries.
2.
What is the extent of use of
technologies in service rendering in the libraries.
3.
What are the impacts of technologies on
Librarians of selected academic libraries.
4.
What are the challenges in the use of
technologies on services rendering in selected academic libraries.
5.
What are the solutions to established
challenges in the application of technologies on Library services.
1.5 Scope of the study.
The scope of this study will be limited
to universities in Edo State. It will focus on effects of technologies on
library information service rendering in university libraries.
1.6 Significance of the study
This study is considered significant in
many respects. It is hoped that the findings will reveal some technologies that
may be of importance to researchers at the University that librarians might not
be aware. Secondly, the findings of the study might serve as a platform on
which the library´s strength in meeting researcher information needs can be
achieved. Furthermore, it is hoped that the study will establish the existing
gaps in the adoption of technology in the operations of academic library in
achieving their statutory functions.
Also, the output of this study will
serve as a blueprint for libraries, information managers/information
scientists, researchers, lecturers, students, and teachers to chart the right
course of action for the use of information and communication technology in
furthering service rendering. Finally, the outcomes from the study will provide
a panacea for solving the challenges faced by academic libraries in coping with
the trends in ICT.
1.7 Limitation of Study
This study should have covered the
entire universities in Nigeria in order to draw a holistic conclusion on the
subject, but it is restricted to a few selected universities in Nigeria due to
time and financial constraints.
1.8 Operational definition of terms
Communication:
Communication refers to the transfer or exchange of information from person to
person or from one place to another. When action produces a reaction whether
positive or negative, communication has taken place. It is also a process: a transfer of
information, ideas, thoughts and messages. It involves a sender, medium or
channel, a receiver, a code and, a language that is understood by both the
sender and the receiver.
Information: Information means processed data or, that
which aids decision making. Information is abstract, and could also be
visualized as a commodity, which could be bought or sold (Krubu and Osawuru,
2011).
Information
and Communication Technology (ICT). It is an umbrella term that includes any
communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular
phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so
on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such
as videoconferencing and distance learning.
Library:
A library is an organized collection of sources of information and similar
resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing.
It includes other sources like reference materials, books relating to school
curriculum, general books not relating to a specific subject area, periodicals,
newspapers, audio- visual materials, government publications and electronically
stored and retrievable materials.
================================================================
Item Type: Project Material | Attribute: 42 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Price: N3,000 | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment