Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
One of the major hindrances to the penetration of information and communication technology (ICT) devices in underserved and unserved areas in the developing nations is the absence and inadequacy of electricity to power technological devices. Inadequate supply from the national grid, land and water pollution from oil spillage in the oil producing communities among other factors have led Nigeria and indeed the world to look for alternative power supply such as solar energy. Unfortunately, utilization and development of solar energy is rising in other parts of the world but encountered with low pace of development and utilization in Nigeria. This paper reports a survey carried out to investigate the awareness and use of solar energy as alternative power source for ICT facilities in Nigerian library and information centres. Descriptive research design using survey method was adopted for this study. Questionnaire was designed and used as survey instrument. The population for this study includes the staff of three Nigerian university libraries. This study finds that all the respondents have good knowledge of what solar energy is Majority of the respondents have experienced solar energy as alternative power source for ICT before. They have also read and heard about solar energy as alternative power source. They were therefore well informed about solar energy equipment as majority of them have alternative power source (mostly power generating sets) in their libraries. They were also aware that solar energy can power their ICT equipment as they also believe that using solar energy, erratic power supply can be mitigated to a large extent. Conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the study and recommendations offered.