Application of library database management systems in university libraries in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the applications of library database management systems in academic libraries in Southeastern Nigeria. Two research questions bordering on the objectives of the study and two hypotheses drawn from the study research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study employed survey research design of the inferential type. The area of the study is the Southeastern Nigeria. The population and sample of the study comprises thirty-nine (39) academic libraries, consisting of 17 federal and 22 state owned university libraries. The sampling technique employed is census enumeration method due to the population size. The instrument used for data collection is a researcher-made rating scale entitled “Application of Database Management System Rating Scale (DBMSRS)”. The instrument was validated by three experts and found to have face validity. The internal consistency coefficient of 0.84 was computed for DBMSRS using Kuder-Richardson formula twenty. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency count and proportion) and t-test statistics. The finding of the study revealed among others that the proportion of university libraries that adopt library database management systems is low and less encouraging and that academic libraries in federal universities make use of library database management systems more than academic libraries in state universities. Based on the findings it was recommended that academic libraries both federal and state should be funded properly, and staff trained to adhere to global services obtained in academic libraries by adopting library database management systems, in order to shift away from the traditional print materials.