Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
There have been drastic changes in the way information is communicated based on the emergence on daily basis of new technology in the field of computing devices and networking which invariably has opened new opportunities for libraries and librarians towards enhancing their services and one of such new opportunities is the Wireless Fidelity technology also known as Wi-Fi. This study therefore is an appraisal of the availability and application of Wi-Fi technology in academic libraries. The study employed a descriptive survey design with a sampled population of 50 librarians derived from ten academic libraries in Southeast, Nigeria while it was guided by four research questions formulated in line with the research objectives. The main instrument used to gather data for this study is a 4-point Likert scale structured questionnaire that had items on availability, application/extent of utilization, benefits and factors that can enhance effective utilization of Wi-Fi technology in academic libraries. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentages. The outcome of this study brings to fore the shortfalls in the availability of Wi-Fi technology in most academic libraries in Southeast Nigeria and by extension Nigeria. The result further revealed that despite the fact that this device was not available in most academic libraries studied those that have, apply and utilize it to a high extent. The study also discovered that the librarians were not ignorant of the accrued benefits of the application and utilization of the device as they also agreed to factors that can enhance effective utilization of this device in academic libraries. It was based on the findings that they study recommended among other things that the National University Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Nation Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) as bodies responsible for accreditation of programs in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education respectively should as matter of need make the application and utilization of ICT which Wi-Fi technology is a part a must have for any academic library as a basic yardstick for accreditation of any program or course and that government and other funding bodies should ensure that every academic library from inception is equipped with state-of-art facilities in tandem with the emerging technology with appropriate machinery kept in place for their management and maintenance for optimal functioning and utilization.