Assessment of Preparedness of Academic Libraries towards the Use and Adoption of Robotic Technologies in Public Universities in Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study investigated assessment of preparedness of academic libraries towards the use and adoption of Robotic technologies in public university libraries in Bayelsa State. 3 research questions and 3 hypotheses guided the study. The population consists of 35 information professionals in the four university libraries in Bayelsa State. A sample size of 35 information professionals representing 100% of the population served as respondents. Census sampling technique was used for the study. A 15-item questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to obtain 0.75 reliability. The mean scores and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the z-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result amongst others revealed that, there are yet no provisions of uninterrupted power supply, no search record machines for easy access to library collections and no advanced digital technological infrastructure. Meanwhile, there are challenges like insufficient knowledge and awareness of robotic technologies and application by information professionals, inability of library administrators to bravely implement robotic technologies, lack of human resources with requisite skills to provide effective robotic library services. It was recommended that, Information professionals need to be trained and exposed to various trainings that will promote the adoption and use of the robotic technologies.