Nigerian University Libraries Research Articles

The Perspectives of Practitioner Cataloguers’ Interest in Information Organization

Enquiring into perspective of today practitioner Cataloguers is imperative. Such an understanding of motivations and inspirations could provide the cataloguing profession a glimpse of the future. This could help to improve the profession especially in the light of Information Technology application and adoption to librarianship. To appraise opinions of cataloguers on the job, structured survey questionnaire, was used to collect data that answer questions on attitude and interest of Cataloguers towards their profession, examine the relationship between demographic variables, attitude and interest of Cataloguers towards the profession. Copies of the instrument were administered to 279 practicing Cataloguers in 48 Nigerian public University Libraries. SPSS was used for correlation analysis. The results showed enthusiasm towards the profession, analysis however indicated varied correlational relationships between the demographic variables, interest and attitude variables.

Modelling web-based library service quality and user loyalty in the context of a developing country

PurposeThis study aims to empirically validate the LibWebSQ measurement scale. In addition, it investigates the relationship between perceived web-based service quality and three other latent constructs, namely, user satisfaction, service value and user loyalty.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey design was used to collect the data. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the influence of web-based service quality on the three latent constructs. The respondents were students, academic staff and non-academic staff from two federal universities in the North-western zone of Nigeria.FindingsThe findings of the path analysis indicate that perceived web-based service quality and service value exhibit no statistically significant direct influence on user loyalty. However, user satisfaction has a direct positive influence on user loyalty, and it also mediates the relationship between web-based service quality and user loyalty to the library.Research limitations/implicationsThe LibWebSQ is a reliable and valid scale to be used in Nigerian university libraries for web-based service quality measurement. User loyalty in academic libraries can be modelled as a result of service quality and user satisfactionPractical implicationsThis study provides a means of assessing web-based library service quality and further improving the policy and practice in university libraries.Originality valueThis is the first attempt to assess web-based library service quality using the LibWebSQ measurement scale. A satisfactory model fit is obtained, which allows the measurement model to be integrated with service value, user satisfaction and user loyalty. The study contributes to the conceptualization of web-based library service quality.

Postgraduate Students’ Use of E-Resources in Nigerian University Libraries: What is the Influence of User Education?

Introduction. Inadequate methods for acquiring user education could affect the level of library user education possessed by postgraduate students, and ultimately influence the purposes of their usage of e-resources provided in their university libraries. Despite the global acceptance that e-resources are contributing to postgraduate student’s research work, however, it has been documented that there is low use of e-resources in university libraries in Nigeria among postgraduate students. This drift could have negative consequences on their overall development. Therefore, this study determined how influential library user education is on the use of e-resources by postgraduate students in Nigerian university libraries.Methods. A survey research design and multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 2,726 from 54,578 postgraduate students from four faculties in 16 federal conventional universities in Nigeria. The data set was collected using a questionnaire and an interview schedule for e-resources librarians/system librarians and was analysed using percentage and Pearson’s product moment correlation.Results. The majority of the students were at the Master’s level (57.5%). The gender shows a ratio of 59.0% male and 41.0% female. Most Nigerian students enrol for postgraduate programmes in their thirties ‘30-39’ years. The use of e-resources by the postgraduates was low (weighted average of 2.45). The relationship between level of library user education and postgraduate students’ use of e-resources was positive, slightly strong, and significant (r

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction, Job Stress and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Research on Librarians in Nigerian University Libraries

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction, Job Stress and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Research on Librarians in Nigerian University Libraries

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, JOB SATISFACTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF LIBRARIANS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

This study investigated relationship between emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and productivity of librarians in Nigerian public universities. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The study population consisted of 1,254 librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria, from which 923 were selected using simple random sampling. The research instrument used was a self-developed questionnaire. Its validation was subjected to the scrutiny of experts in the areas of the variables studied; it gave a reliability coefficient of 0.91 for Emotional Intelligence; 0.78 for Job Satisfaction; and 0.94 for Productivity. A response rate of 67.2% was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive (percentage, mean, average mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. The study revealed a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction (r = 0.034, P < 0.05), between emotional intelligence and productivity(r = 0.032, P < 0.05) of librarians in public university libraries in Nigeria. The study concluded that contrary to general belief, job satisfaction and productivity levels of librarians in university libraries were high. It is recommended that university library management should continue to promote values that would boost emotional intelligence and increase job satisfaction and productivity of its workforce. Article visualizations:

Determinants of e-library services’ use among university students: A study of John Harris Library, University of Benin, Nigeria

Provision of e-services in Nigerian academic libraries has been around for some time. However, while studies of user satisfaction with traditional modes of library services in these libraries are countless, those focusing specifically on user satisfaction with their e-services are rare. This study therefore investigated the factors that determine students’ use of and satisfaction with the e-services sponsored by a multinational telecommunication firm in a Nigerian university library. The design for the study was both quantitative and qualitative, involving a multistage sampling technique. A questionnaire was used to sample 400 registered students of the library, while 40 students who are non-users of the library’s e-services were interviewed. The 382 valid responses were analysed statistically while the interview responses were analysed thematically. The study found that among those who use the e-services, their level of use was significantly predicted by all the examined e-library service factors (system quality, service quality and information quality), e-library environment, students’ gender, computer/IT self-efficacy and satisfaction with e-services. However, students who were not using the e-services mentioned the following factors, amongst several others, as responsible: lack of awareness of the services, inadequately skilled ICT manpower to support users, absence of user training, inadequate ICT infrastructures including inadequate Internet access and unreliable campus network. Needed to boost the use of and user satisfaction with the e-services are attention to the services, these resource availability factors and the investigated service delivery factors.

The Application of Humanistic Management Theories in the Effective Administration of Public University Libraries in Nigeria

This paper discusses the application of humanistic management theories in the effective administration of public university libraries in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to see how humanistic management theories can be applied to the effective administration of the public university libraries in Nigeria. Library serves as a solid foundation that bears all the academic structures (programmes) in the university system. It supports all the curricula as well as teaching and research of the university system. Hence, the paper proceeds along the following spectrum: concept of management as regards to its objectives, functions, goals, and essentiality will be briefly discussed; it goes further to briefly discuss effective administration of university library; then proceeds to highlight various management theories as regards to their strength and weaknesses; each humanistic theory in relation to the effective administration of university library was broadly discussed. In conclusion, the paper postulates some number of factors as the way forward to some problems that would affect the effective application of humanistic management theories in the Nigerian public university libraries.

A comparative analysis of available features and Web 2.0 tools on selected Nigerian and South African university library websites

Purpose The study aims to present a comparative analysis of available Web 2.0 tools in library websites of selected Nigerian and South African universities. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis was adopted as the design for the study. Twenty university library websites comprising ten top-ranking Nigerian universities and ten top-ranking South African universities were sampled for data collection. Five research questions developed and answered. Findings The findings show that the use of Web 2.0 tools in the selected universities is encouraging. There are more Web 2.0 tools available on the South African university library websites. The South African university libraries are ahead of their Nigerian counterparts in terms of the integration of Web 2.0 tools, e-resources and e-databases and provide platforms for easy retrieval of information by their users. There are more e-resources available on the South African university library websites compared with their Nigerian counterparts. e-Journals are the most available e-resources in the selected university library websites of both countries. Similarly, more academic e-databases are available on the South African university library websites, whereas only few are listed on the web pages of the selected Nigerian university library websites. Research limitations/implications Because available studies seem to ignore the possibility of comparing one university library’s website with another, conducting a study such as this will provide an insight and idea on the types of features, tools and applications to be included on university library websites. This will be useful for university whose library is planning to develop a website. Originality/value Because of the wide variation reported in this study concerning available tools and resources on the university library websites in South Africa and Nigeria, it is recommended that African universities should come up with a standard that will mandate universities to have a certain number of tools identified in this study on their various university websites.

Analysis of Social Media Use among Academic Libraries

Social Media (SM) has found uses and application in academic library for various services and functions. This assertion was to be determined among Nigerian university libraries in terms of what platforms, average number of posts, engagement in terms of like, share, comment of users, number of likes on the SM account, type of information disseminated on SM. The result shows a low use of SM among the sampled university libraries in terms of number of SM accounts operated, number of posts, level of engagement in terms of like, share and comment to post from the university libraries’ SM accounts. Also low number of likes for the SM, type of information disseminated is also very low. Most university libraries do not even have any SM accounts. Recommendations were made as to how to improve on the use of SM platform, services that can be rendered on it, how to make it more engaging, and the type of information that should be sent with the frequency of posting messages.

Making a makerspace case for academic libraries in Nigeria

PurposeThis paper aims to give a highlight on the concept of makerspace and its perceived benefits in academic libraries in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe searches encompass current journal articles, books, newspapers, magazines, personal experiences on the concept of makerspace, 3D-printing and technologies in libraries. Practical examples of libraries that already have makerspaces in operation were sourced.FindingsFindings of this study create awareness of benefits, challenges and strategies for developing and managing makerspaces in Nigerian academic libraries, using Zenith Library as a hypothetical sample.Research limitations/implicationsOnly the proposal guide has been drafted. There is need for more investigations on the awareness of, and plan to adopt makerspace technologies in Nigerian academic libraries.Practical implicationsLibrarians need to appreciate the makerspace technologies and forge ahead in establishing makerspace in strategic areas of their libraries which should serve as a meeting point for all users in the university community, and for the sharing of innovative ideas.Social implicationsThere is need for a paradigm shift in Nigerian university libraries, hence the shift in librarians’ thinking and approach to find their place in the new maker movement.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper lies in its justification for establishing makerspace in Nigerian academic libraries alongside the drafted proposal which has been designed to serve as a guide to libraries in Nigeria, as no makerspace has been documented to be existing in any Nigerian library.

Evaluation of electronic service infrastructures and quality of e-services in Nigerian academic libraries

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of online services in academic libraries in Nigeria. It seeks to assess the functionality of electronic infrastructures, to expose areas where the service needs of users are not adequately provided and to recommend solutions.Design/methodology/approach– The sample population was 210 staff and students who used electronic resources in Nigerian university libraries during the 2012-2013 academic session. A questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. Modified WebQual four performance indicators were designed and used to measure: library equipment, library website, online public access catalogue (OPAC) and e-user education in the university libraries. The five-point service performance scale that ranged from very poor performance to excellent was used in measuring the views of the respondents.Findings– None of the indicators was rated excellent; six were rated good; nine were average; two and five indicators scored poor and very poor, respectively. Poor funding, intermittent power supply and weak telecommunication infrastructures were among the major impediments to online services in Nigerian universities. Through adequate funding and prudent management of library funds, online services in Nigerian university libraries could meet global standards.Practical implications– Results from this paper could guide library management on several concrete remedial actions to sustain e-service performance that could meet the missions and visions of contemporary academic libraries.Originality/value– This paper was the first to apply WebQual model in the evaluation of electronic performance quality of academic libraries in Nigeria.

Factors That Contribute to Research and Publication Output Among Librarians in Nigerian University Libraries

Considering the relevance of research and publication in the career and professional development and growth of academic librarians especially in Nigerian Universities, this paper was used to find out the factors which contribute to high publication output among librarians in Nigerian University libraries. The main objectives of the study were to find out librarians' motivation for research and publication; find out the factors that contribute to high research productivity among librarians; find out the barriers to research and publication among librarians; and determine the strategies that will enhance research and publication among librarians. The population of the study comprised of 146 librarians of the university libraries in South-East Nigeria. Purposive sampling based on the level of publication output was used to select about 85 librarians as the sample of the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts and mean scores and presented in tables. Major findings showed that the desire to earn promotion and to develop one's self among others motivated the librarians to write and publish while collaboration and attendance to conferences among other factors contributed to high publication output. Lack of a research grant and a tight work schedule hinder research and publication while partnering with research funders and issuance of grants enhanced the opportunities for research and publication.

Overcoming Challenges of Electronic Collection Development in University Libraries: A Study of Three Nigerian University Libraries

The study determined strategies for overcoming the challenges associated with electronic collection development (ECD) in Nigerian university libraries. It employed a descriptive survey design. The total population of library respondents (Professionals and Paraprofessionals) used for this study was 208. Questionnaire and interviews were the instruments used to collect data for this study. The result of the study revealed that ECD is not yet very effective in Nigeria university libraries. The major factors militating against ECD as revealed by this study were inadequate funding for automation which is also at infancy level, poor technical knowhow, lack of higher bandwidth in Internet connectivity and lack of sound administrative policies and guidelines. The major strategies for overcoming the challenges include constant evaluation of automation facilities, adequate and regular systems upgrade, provision of skilled manpower and periodic and regular training of librarians and paraprofessionals in the use of m...

Academic Utilization of Government Publications in Three Nigerian University Libraries

This paper seeks to examine the current state of academic utilization of government publications in Nigerian university libraries. Using a descriptive survey, the study focused on three academic libraries in Southeastern Nigeria serving a population of 11,996 undergraduate and postgraduate student library users, 592 of whom answered a questionnaire. The study relied on questionnaires, interviews, and observation checklists for data collection. Means, frequency counts, and percentages were used to analyze the data. The study recommended that libraries should make the reading spaces and environment in government document sections more comfortable and that government document libraries should engage fully in online subscriptions to government publications.

Perceived Effect of Accessibility and Utilization of Electronic Resources on Productivity of Academic Staff in Selected Nigerian Universities

Access to information is vital for efficient research at universities. Electronic resources provide new platforms for information to aid in conducting research at universities. This study explores the perceived effect of accessibility and utilization of electronic resources on research productivity at Nigerian universities. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the study with a survey as research method. Data were collected for the study with a self-reporting questionnaire. Regression analysis in the study revealed that accessibility and use of electronic resources had a significant perceived positive effect on research productivity at the surveyed Nigerian universities. However, there was no significant perceived effect of accessibility and use of electronic resources by discipline on research productivity in the survey. In terms of gender, it was found that there was no significant perceived effect of accessibility and use of electronic resources by gender on research productivity among respondents at the surveyed Nigerian universities. Based on these findings, it is recommended that effective development of digital libraries in Nigerian universities would ameliorate the problems of accessibility and utilization of electronic resources by academic staff in research. Furthermore, the Nigerian university libraries should develop an electronic collection development policy to enhance equitable access and use of electronic resources at Nigerian universities. Policy for sustainable digitization of relevant library materials should be evolved to support digital libraries effectively for efficient accessibility and utilization of electronic resources.

Availability and Accessibility of Web-OPAC of University Libraries in Nigeria

This research explored the availability and accessibility of web-based OPAC in Nigerian university libraries. An Internet survey checklist targeted at all the 124 university libraries in Nigeria was developed and used. Libraries that could not be located on the Internet were excluded from the study which leaves 64 university libraries to be used for the study. The study revealed that 48.5% of Nigerian university libraries could not be located on the Internet because there was no link to them on their university websites. Finding further indicated that 25.3% were not directly hyperlinked on their university websites. The result also showed that only 29.7% of the Nigerian university libraries have website, while only 10.9% provided web-based OPAC to distant and remote users. Result also shows that only 9.4% of the available web-based OPAC were accessible. Hence, the study concluded that the majority of university libraries in Nigeria were lacking behind in the provision of flexible services which focus on individualized and distant contacts with their clientele. Therefore, the study recommended direct hyperlink to the university libraries on their parent institution websites; development of websites through which the libraries can disseminate information about their resources and services to information seekers on the Internet and suggested provision of web-based OPAC to be one of the criteria for assessing a university library services by the National University Commission.

ICT skills acquisition and competencies of librarians

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is an audit of information technology (IT) skills set of librarians in some Nigerian university libraries with the aim of examining their relevance and adequacy to the digital environment. Nigerian universities as knowledge creators and their libraries as gatekeepers of knowledge are rapidly witnessing the introduction of various IT. One of the challenges facing IT/digital library projects in Nigeria has been the readiness of the university libraries in terms of knowledge and skills to implement the digital and electronic library services.Design/methodology/approach– This paper used the survey approach. The sampling technique for the selection of the universities was stratified and for the librarians (respondents), census. The sampling frame was the approved list of universities released by the National Universities Commission as of the time of this study. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Findings– The findings of this paper revealed that many of the respondents do have knowledge and skills of email use and word processing tasks but lack knowledge of search engines and directories other than Google and Yahoo, respectively. Many of them do not know how to evaluate and catalogue e-resources; have no knowledge of subject gateways, specialised databases and some open-access library databases; have no knowledge of database management; are not skilled in Web design; and are equally not familiar with Web design applications.Originality/value– The study recommends management support for IT skills training and/or continuous professional development to improve the librarians. Librarians are also challenged and encouraged to explore the range of training resources available over the Internet for self-development.

Librarians in Crisis of Status, Identity and Marginalization

The paper is a critique of the 2009 Agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria as it affects the academic status and identity of librarians in Nigerian university libraries. The areas identified and discussed in the ASUU/FGN document include Composition of ASUU Re-Negotiation Team, List of Advisers, Responsibility Allowance, Excess Workload Allowance, and Retirement Age of Academics in the Professorial Cadre. The paper observed that the document is an attempt to marginalize and relegate the librarians in Nigerian university libraries as support staff and not as academic staff as the document is prepared to cater for the welfare of lecturers only. Recommendations that will enhance the status of librarians in Nigerian universities are provided.

A Survey of Information Seeking-Behavior of Academic Staff in a Nigerian University in Digital Age

The paper surveys the patterns of information-seeking behavior of academic staff in Nigeria in the emerging electronic information environment. Academic staff in Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, Nigeria were used as respondents in the survey. Questionnaire survey was used as research method for data collection. The findings of the study have shown that, the information-seeking behavior of academic staff in RSUST is in favor of electronic information sources on the Internet, as the Internet was the most frequently used information source (31.59%), closely followed by personal contacts/collections 23.98%, workshop/conferences/seminars (23.72%) than the traditional library (20.71%). The paper recommends that, the librarians, university managements, the governments etc. must respond proactively to meet the changing information-seeking behavior of academic staff through effective development of electronic information sources – the Internet and virtual libraries in Nigerian universities for efficiency in research and sustainable national development.

Digitization and Preservation as Means of Accessing Information in Nigerian University Libraries: A Case Study of Bayero University, Kano and Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

The study examined digitization and its usage by academic libraries to preserve and facilitate access to information sources. Case study method of research was adopted. A total number of 250 questionnaire was used through the administration of questionnaires, one hundred and seventy five (175) questionnaires were properly completed and returned for analysis, this enable the researchers to arrive at the findings and to reach conclusion in the study. The study identified that digitization could be used as means to enhancing access by making available information to present and future users of the library. This was obtained from the data collected where it was shown that digitization make access to information resources easier as recorded in the responses of 113 (64.57%) obtained from the respondents. It was also established that digitization of library resources is highly relevant as recorded in the responses of 147 (84%). From the study only highly demanded books should be digitized in the library as responded by 67 (38.29%) from staff in the library, followed by other textbooks. The benefits of digitization in the library as a means of providing access to the materials in the library and the means of preservation as recorded from the responses of 93(53.14%) was established. The study established that digitization of information resources is relevant to library services as recorded in the responses of 147 (84%). Printed materials could only be designed for the use of one reader while digital materials could be accessed by thousands of readers simultaneously provided the equipment are put in place in the library.