E-commerce and the Digital Economy: The Place of Nigerian Libraries

Authors

Rebecca Chidimma Ojobor Dr., Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaFollow
Scholastica C. Ukwoma Dr., Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaFollow
Victoria N. Okafor Prof., Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Abstract

The paper takes a literature-based approach to examine the state of academic libraries in Nigeria in the implementation of e-commerce in the digital economy with the goal of identifying the barriers to e-commerce practices and proffering recommendations for better e-commerce applications in Nigerian libraries. E-commerce is becoming a fundamental mode of exchange as a result of the development of information and communication technologies (ICT), and is providing the digital economy with many exciting opportunities. The efficiency and productivity of many organizations, including the library, could be increased through e-commerce. It gives the library an outstanding opportunity to lessen the complex burden of decreasing budgets because it requires little to no financial input to reach a large number of users. Through e-commerce, customers can use library resources whenever it is convenient for them without being constrained by physical opening and closing times. E-commerce has had a considerable impact on library operations in developed countries, but due to various identified obstacles, the adoption and application of this technology in Nigerian libraries is still quite low. As a result, the library's slow implementation of e-commerce could jeopardize its importance for both information seekers and the nation's educational advancement if it is not addressed.