Influence of institutional support on digitization practices of librarians in federal universities in Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of institutional support on librarians’ digitization practices in federal universities in Northeastern Nigeria. This study adopted a quantitative research design. The study population comprised 437 professional and paraprofessional librarians in federal university libraries in Northeastern Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used in this study. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Total of 354 (81%) copies of the questionnaire were completed, returned, and used in the study. The data collected for this study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, the research questions and hypothesis were answered using tables, percentages and mean. Findings revealed that institutional support provided for librarians’ digitization practices in general is low. Specifically, funding support is low, while policy support, infrastructure support and training support were available but at very low level. The study also revealed that the institutions and library managements under study do not provide adequate institutional support required to motivate librarians on digitization practices, hence weaken the effectiveness information service delivery rendered by the libraries. The study concluded that University management should place stronger emphasis on providing necessary forms of support to trigger more commitment among professional and paraprofessional librarians to upsurge their effort towards digitization of printed materials. The study recommended that federal university administrators, management of the university libraries and relevant agencies should provide adequate funding, infrastructural, policy and training support institutional support to the libraries, to boost digitization of printed materials.