Abstract
This study examines the problems and prospects of digitization of information resources in public libraries and museums in South-East, Nigeria. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study and a survey research design was also used for the study. The population of the study consists of all the staff and users of public libraries and museums in South-East, Nigeria. A total sample size of 317 was selected using a simple random sampling technique. The researcher constructed two sets of questionnaire entitled “Problems and Prospects of Digitization of Information Resources in Public Libraries and Museums Questionnaire (PPDIRPLMQ) for data collection. The instrument for data collection was trial-tested for reliability. A total 317 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the respondents and 293 were returned and found usable by the researcher. This gave a response rate of 92%. The data collected were analyzed using Mean (X) Standard Deviations and percentages to answer the research questions. Based on the data collected and analysed, the major findings of the study revealed some of the barriers to the digitization of information resources in public libraries and museums and also proffered some strategies in surmounting these challenges.
 Keywords: Digitization, Information resources, Public libraries, Museums
Highlights
The communities of information practitioners such as public libraries and museums have long recognized the need for new approaches to the management of information resources in their institutions
The staff identified barriers to do with “cultures of Nigerian ethnic groups have been influenced by foreign cultures and cost of digitization of cultural heritage objects” as the greatest challenges associated with the digitization of information resources in public libraries and museums
The result of the findings showed that the staff of public libraries and museums accepted the measures for enhancing the digitization of information resources in these institutions
Summary
The communities of information practitioners such as public libraries and museums have long recognized the need for new approaches to the management of information resources in their institutions. According to Saur (2001), public library is an organization established, supported and funded by the community, either through local, regional or national government or through some other form of community organization which provides access to knowledge, information and works of the imagination through a range of resources and services and is available to all members of the community regardless of race, nationality, age, gender, religion, language, disability, economic and employment status and educational attainment. In the present changing information environment, some factors such as cost and the issues involved in digitization of objects and artifacts may jeopardize the services provided in public libraries as well as museums. To enhance easy access and management of cultural heritage in public libraries and museums, a clear policy must be formulated defining objectives, priorities and services in relation to the local community needs. The public library has to be organized effectively and professional standards of operation must be maintained (IFLA 1994)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
