Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
The advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the astronomical growth of information have brought about a tremendous transformation in the ways libraries of every sort are being managed as well as the ways services are rendered to users. This study therefore investigated the inclusion of ICTs in the management of university libraries in Nigeria with Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Nigeria as a case in point. The study applied a descriptive survey design with a population sample of 45 library staff selected through purposive sampling method and was guided by five research questions. The main instruments used to obtain data for the study was a four-point Likert scale design structured questionnaire which was validated by three experts one from the Department of Library and Information Science and two from the Department of Computer Science from two universities in Nigeria. While the reliability of the instrument was established through conducting a two week pilot study at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Library.. The result of the pilot study was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the questionnaire which stood at 0.81. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and charts while at 0.05 level of significance, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used to test the only null hypothesis. The outcome of the study shows that the emergence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have brought an undeniable transformation in library operations and the ways services are provided to users and other stakeholders and that the inclusion of ICT facilities in the management of the library has tremendous positive effect in the management of the library. The study recommended among other things that, a policy should be put in place by National Universities Commission mandating all universities to have their libraries automated within a specific period of time as to allowing for collective resource sharing and proper networking among university libraries.