Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

Winter 12-21-2022

Abstract

The deployment and frequent use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in carrying out library tasks had long been leading to computer-related illnesses among library personnel especially in academic libraries. The designing of computer ergonomics in most academic libraries were observed to be affecting the wellbeing and productivity of library personnel. This study was carried out to investigate computer ergonomics and computer-related illnesses: the experience of library personnel.

The study adopted the survey research design with a study population of 60 library personnel in University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) libraries, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total enumeration sampling technique was used to include all the entire library personnel in the two selected libraries. Data was collected and analysed from entire sixty (60) library personnel and the analysis was done in an SPSS output format based on simple frequency count and percentage, standard deviation and mean distribution of the population.

Results showed that the ICTs that were very readily available to majority of the respondents were scanners, Personal Computer (PC), printer, flash drive and projector respectively. It was established that photocopying service was the foremost library service as indicated by almost all the respondents. Results revealed that majority of the respondents noted they used the keyboard on a daily basis. Findings showed that the library personnel strongly agreed they had experienced communication difficulties as a result of frequent ICTs use. Most of the respondents strongly agreed that they had experienced computer-related illnesses such as neck pain, headache, shoulder and finger pains. It was concluded that majority of the respondents were of the view that measures such as medical allowances should be provided to ease the effect of ICTs use. Also, majority of the respondents strongly agreed that comfortable seats should be provided, librarians should always make use of screen protection tools and they should not toil with social gathering.

In as much as the management of libraries is concerned with the provision of effective and efficient library services through the use of ICTs and related devices to forestall user apathy, they need to be concerned about the adverse consequences that the use of the technologies could have on library personnel who use them. Thus, it is very imperative for those in the top echelon of library management to pay adequate attention to the designing of computer ergonomics if they want to have a functional library with healthy workforce.

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