Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Spring 7-22-2023
Abstract
This study researched on usage of emerging technologies in libraries operated for academic sake for effective service delivery in public university institution in Rivers State, Nigeria. 3 questions and 3 hypotheses directed the work. Descriptive research design was used with a population of forty nine (49) information professionals in the 3 university institution in Rivers State, representing 100% of the population was used as sample respondents. The sampling technique used to achieve this is census sampling. A 24-item questionnaire titled: Usage of Emerging Technologies in Academic Library for Effective Service Delivery in Public Universities Questionnaire” (UMTALESDPUQ) was used as instrument to get responses in the research. Out of the 49 copies administered, only 42 copied were retried. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to obtain 0.77 reliability. Mean and standard deviation were employed to do analysis in the research including z-test statistics which was tested at 0.05 significance level. Result revealed that, many technologies have emerged for the consumption of library Information Professionals but are not yet fully provided for use in some public libraries operated for academic sake and when some are even provided, the extent of utilization is still low. More so, the challenges encountered by information professionals to this effect are; lack of necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize emerging technologies, cyber security threats on the protection of sensitive information and library resources, lack of equitable access and usability of emerging technologies. It was recommended that, Collaborative synergy should be established between Library and the universities management to organize training for information professional specifically on new technologies introduced to undertake library services in other to give quality services.