Librarians’ awareness and willingness to deploy QR code in libraries: A study of selected Nigerian university libraries

Abstract

The study investigated librarians’ awareness and willingness to deploy QR code in libraries. Three (3) research objectives were raised to guide the conduct of the study and three hypotheses were also tested in the study. The survey type of the descriptive research design was adopted and a population of 51 librarians from selected universities in Nigeria was used. The total population sampling type of purposive sampling technique was adopted while questionnaire was used as the tool for data collection. Out of the 51 copies of questionnaire distributed, 50 were retrieved and found useable, constituting 98% response rate. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the level of librarians’ awareness of the use of QR code is low. The study further revealed that librarians are willing to deploy QR code in libraries (and in discharging library services). However, there are perceived challenges of lack of technical knowhow, lack of awareness of the use of the technology by library users, non-availability of QR code reader to all library users, and poor internet connectivity. In addition, the study revealed that a significant relationship exists between librarians’ awareness, willingness and deployment of QR code in libraries. Thus, the study recommended that awareness/sensitization/trainings on the use of QR code and other emerging technologies in libraries should be organised periodically for librarians by the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) and the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) as this will ensure that librarians are kept up-to-date with the latest technological innovations in libraries.