Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
9-18-2023
Document Type
Article
Abstract
The mission of an academic library is no longer limited to supporting teaching, learning, research, and outreach. It requires reaching out to all stakeholders to create a sustainable ecosystem of information accessibility and dissemination for its immediate community. Understanding the attitude of academic librarians in a digital environment is significant to critically assess their acceptance and use of technology for library services. A positive attitude towards the adoption and use of technology will lead to improved performance and will trigger a positive impact on digital library services. The study sought to investigate the attitude of 154 academic librarians in Cameroon towards technology changes and their impact on service delivery. Seven public university libraries were purposively selected to participate in the study. The study was informed by the Diffusion of Innovation theory and the Unified Theory of Use and Acceptance of Technology (UTUAT). Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Findings indicate that librarians generally have a positive attitude towards the use of the Internet, though this positivity is for personal rather than professional motives. However, several barriers were identified that directly influence the attitude of librarians and the consequential use of technology. The study concludes that technology utilization depends greatly on librarians' attitudes. Where the attitude is positive utilization increases, but where the attitude is negative technology remains underutilized. The study recommends that librarians should be trained and motivated to holistically accept technology usage. This should be integrally connected with the ability and willingness of their institution to move on.