Librarians Ict Skills For Effective Service Delivery In Imo State Public Library Board Owerri

Abstract

This research is on librarians ict skills for effective service delivery in imo state public library board owerri, four research questions was posed to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The area of study is Imo State. The population of the study comprised of fifteen (15) librarians working at the Imo State Public Library Board in Owerri. The entire population was used as the sample size. The primary instrument for data collection was a self structured rating scale. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The finding revealed that, The library services provided by librarians in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri are mobile library services, information and referral services, library  services to children . ICT skills required by librarians for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri are available such as digital resource management, data analysis, E-learning and online instruction etc. librarians acquire ICT skills for effective delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri  through formal education, workshops and seminar, ICT Training etc. There are much Challenges faced by librarians in applying ICT skills to service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri such as limited budget, lack of lack of ICT training, outdated technology etc. Based on the findings, recommendations were made thus, There is need for improvement in the library services provided by the librarians for effective service delivery. ICT skills required by librarians should be improved and the librarians should be taught more with the recent and necessary skills for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri are available. The ways through which  librarians acquire ICT skills for effective delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri  should be enhanced with the recent means so as to aid effective delivery. the challenges faced by librarians in applying ICT skills to service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri should be provided with solutions to enable effective service delivery.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, the researcher discussed the following subheading: background of the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significant of the study and research questions

Background to the Study

The advances made by Information and Communication Technology have doubtlessly made tremendous impact on human life and society. These have brought about obvious changes in the way people live and work .Activities which were carried out by analogical and manual process/ procedures can now be undertaken by simple, effortless, screen touch of the digital procedures. Obviously the results of the present ICT compliance of the digital world as compared to the analogue and manual process of activities are quite phenomenal and have enhanced higher productivity with minimal effort and time consumption. Libraries especially the public libraries as information centres are not left out in this revolutionary impact occasioned by ICT. It has brought about unprecedented and transforming changes in information handling which are now prominent in all library operations and services. The nature, scope and pattern of library operations have increased and also widened. They have greatly reshaped the way libraries collect, process, preserve retrieve and disseminate information. Prior to the emergence of ICT, the operations of libraries especially public libraries are cumbersome, time-wasting and frustrating activities, but the advent of ICT and its adoption in the public library and operation  has made  library services  become easier faster and more result oriented.

Libraries now use different types of ICT facilities in their operations and service delivery in core library functions such as; acqusition / collection development, cataloguing and classification, circulation activities, serials collection and control services, reference services, current awareness services selective dissemination of information, bibliographic services, document delivery etc. can be provided more effectively and efficiently using ICT. Krubu and Osawaru (2014) opine that libraries now use ICT to automate their core functions, implement management information system, develop institutional repositories of digital local content, and initiate ICT based capacity building programmes for library users. According to Edom (2012), public libraries are the only library institution established by government to inspire and encourage independent and continuing education of citizens especially those living within the particular environment or locality. Public library open its doors to provide library and information services to people in different walks of life without bias to their gender, age, religion, inclination, academic qualification, race, profession, national language etc free of change. The major objective of public libraries lie in the provision of resources/services to meet the information needs of its varied users and the ability of the public library to pursue and realize these determines its relevance and effectiveness.

The advancement in ICT has also influenced the demand made on public libraries, in terms of expectation of their customers in national and local policy agenda in which public libraries operates and these have equally influenced their service delivery (Oghenetega, Umuji, & Obue, 2014). In order to meet these challenges, many public libraries are incorporating ICT facilities into their operations and services. According to Patrica (2000), computer technology has redefined many services in public libraries including collecting, searching with Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and so on.

ICT skills are the competencies and proficiencies required to effectively utilize ICT tools and resources. For librarians, acquiring and developing ICT skills is essential for delivering quality services to library users in the digital age. These skills include computer literacy, proficiency in library management systems, digital resource management, online searching, information evaluation, and the ability to utilize emerging technologies (Duyilemi,  Tunde-Awe & Adekola  2018).

Librarians can acquire ICT skills through various avenues. Formal education in Library and Information Science programmes equips them with foundational knowledge in ICT. However, continuous professional development is crucial to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Librarians can participate in training programmes, attend workshops and conferences, engage in online courses, and explore self-directed learning opportunities to enhance their ICT skills (Ademodi, 2019).

While librarians’ ICT skills are vital for effective service delivery, several challenges may impede their acquisition and utilization. Limited access to technology and resources, inadequate training opportunities, budget constraints, resistance to change, and the rapid pace of technological advancements are some of the challenges faced by librarians in developing and applying their ICT skills (Verma, 2014).

This work therefore was carried out to examine Librarians ICT Skills for effective service delivery in Imo State Public library Board, Owerri. Specifically, the study sought, to find out the impact of ICT skills for Effective Service Delivery in Imo State  Public Library Board Owerri.

Statement of the Problem

It  is a well known fact that Information and Communication Technology has been adopted in almost all spheres. The library is not left out in this phase. However, to effectively utilise ICT in libraries for library service delivery, the librarian should possess certain skills.

Discovering by the researcher shows that librarians have not been able to apply ICT in delivery library services. In Imo State Public Library Board, Owerri. It seems the librarians do not possess the ICT  skills required for effective service delivery and there may be challenges hindering ICT applications in Public Libraries. This is what this study is set to achieve.

Scope of the Study

The study is exclusively on librarians ICT skills for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri. The investigation delimited to only one library and only the library staff of Imo State Pubic Library Board were studied. The study will also cover concepts of: public library, library services, library staff, ICT skills, ways of acquiring ICT skills, challenges to acquisition of ICT skills by library staff.

Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of the study is to investigate librarians ICT skills for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri. The specific purposes are as follows:

1. identify the library services provided by librarians in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri;
2. ascertain the ICT skills required by librarians for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri;
3. investigate the ways of acquiring ICT skills by librarians for effective delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri; and
4. identify the challenges to the application of ICT skills to service delivery by librarians.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study if implemented and applied will be beneficial to the following: library patrons, librarians, community, schools, cultural heritage preservation, Students and Researchers, Government Agencies and Policy Makers and other libraries.

Library patrons will experience improved services and access to information through the implementation of ICT. With librarians equipped with enhanced ICT skills, patrons will receive more efficient assistance in information retrieval, benefiting from a faster and more accurate response to their queries.

Librarians at the Imo State Public Library Board will be the primary beneficiaries of the ICT skills development program. Acquiring essential ICT competencies will enhance their professional capabilities, allowing them to effectively manage digital resources, cataloging, and databases.

By bridging the digital divide, the library can promote digital literacy and ensure that all community members have equal access to digital resources and services.

 The focus on ICT skills development and knowledge dissemination aligns with the broader goal of promoting education and lifelong learning. By enhancing library services through ICT, the Imo State Public Library Board can serve as a powerful catalyst for intellectual growth and personal development within the community.

The digitization projects undertaken as part of the study will contribute to the preservation and promotion of the region’s cultural heritage.

Students and researchers will find the enhanced library services invaluable in their academic pursuits. With librarians equipped with advanced ICT skills, they can receive expert guidance on using digital research databases, citation management tools, and academic search engines.

 The Imo State Public Library Board, with improved ICT skills and digital resources, can play a significant role in supporting government agencies and policymakers. The library can act as an information hub, providing data, reports, and resources relevant to policy formulation and decision-making processes.

The success of the study and its implementation at the Imo State Public Library Board can serve as a model for other libraries in Nigeria and beyond. By showcasing the positive impacts of ICT integration and skill development, the project can inspire similar initiatives in other libraries, leading to collective improvement in library services nationwide. Other libraries can learn from the best practices and strategies implemented in this project, facilitating a broader transformation in the library landscape.

Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

1. What are the library services provided by librarians in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri?
2. What are the ICT skills required by librarians for effective service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri?
3. How do librarians acquire ICT skills for effective delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri?
4. What are the challenges faced by librarians in applying ICT skills to service delivery in Imo State Public Library Board Owerri?
   

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   Pages:  69

   Category: Project

   Format:  Word & PDF               

   Chapters: 1-5                                          

   Source: Imsuinfo

   Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.