Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

Summer 8-9-2022

Comments

The study explains the situation of digital preservation and conservation practices in university libraries in Nigeria as it relates to the Information and communication technology skills required of library personnel.

Abstract

As part of the resources in university libraries are digital information resources, these libraries therefore need to undertake digital preservation practices to protect the lifespan of their digital resources. Personnel in these libraries need to possess ICT skill to effectively involve in the digital preservation practices. The study investigates ICT skill and digital preservation practices among library personnel in nine university libraries in South-west, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey design, the study population comprised 262 library personnel from nine university libraries in South-west, Nigeria. All personnel in the nine university libraries were sampled, while the questionnaire was the data collection instrument. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, using standard deviation and correlation analysis. Majority of the respondents were male (46.9. ICT skills possessed by library personnel were: computing skills (3.56), word processing skills. Others were printing skills (3.52) and database creation and updating skill (3.30). The finding revealed a weak significant positive relationship between computing skills and digital preservation practices (n = 237; r = 0.288, p < 0.05). The findings revealed a weak significant positive relationship between computing managing skills and digital preservation practices (n = 237; r = 0.364, p < 0.05). There was a weak significant positive relationship between Internet Navigation skills and digital preservation practices (n = 237, r = 0.255, p < 0.05). Majority of the respondents (3.29) revealed that the library engages in general cleaning and dusting at regular intervals. Furthermore, majority of the respondents (2.95), indicated that the library has an integrated pest management system. Digital preservation practices is an essential activity to ensure the prolonged use of information resources in university libraries in South-west, Nigeria, as such adequate ICT skills must be possessed by library personnel. It was therefore recommended that management of libraries should review policies to accommodate and support effective digital preservation practices of information resources.

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