International Journal of Librarianship
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The Role of Social Media in Delivering Reference Services in Public Libraries
Full text linkThis study explores the transformative role of social media in delivering reference services in public libraries in Nigeria. Amid evolving digital practices, libraries have increasingly leveraged platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp to provide real‑time, interactive reference support. Employing a qualitative research design, semi‑structured interviews were conducted with librarians and patrons from six public libraries across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Thematic analysis revealed three central themes: the evolution from traditional, face‑to‑face and email‑based services to dynamic, multi‑channel digital models; improved service efficiency and extended operating hours contrasted with challenges in digital literacy and equitable access; and effective strategies including continuous professional development, integrated communication systems, and proactive outreach initiatives. Librarians reported significantly reduced response times and enhanced user engagement, while patrons appreciated the immediacy of digital responses yet noted difficulties navigating complex interfaces. These findings corroborate existing literature on digital transformation in library services and underscore the need for robust training and resource investments to bridge the digital divide. The study offers practical recommendations for optimizing social media strategies in public libraries, ensuring that enhanced reference services are accessible, efficient, and responsive to diverse user needs in the post‑pandemic era
Assessing the Experiences of Autistic Academic Librarians in Positions of Leadership : A Case Study
Full text linkThis paper looks at Autistic academic librarians occupying leadership positions and how being Autistic affects their leadership capacity. Through analyzing five different interviews I conducted, I found that being Autistic posed challenges to adopting these roles by making it difficult to deal with a lack of control and master informal social skills. At the same time, being Autistic also proved beneficial by providing interviewees with greater emotional intelligence and the capacity to communicate directly with others in the library. I conclude this paper by talking about additional paths of inquiry related to Autism and leadership in the academic library environment
Empowering Academic Librarians in Imo State Through Continuous Professional Development
Full text linkThe study investigates the empowerment of academic librarians in Imo State, Nigeria, through Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The work adopted a mixed-methods design, the research assesses librarians' participation frequency in CPD, the impact of networking and CPD opportunities, and the role of knowledge-sharing culture in enhancing service quality. The study sampled 96 professional librarians from four academic libraries in Imo State, employing stratified random sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and interviews, analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic methods. Findings reveals CPD participation: 2.69 (mean score) of librarians engage in CPD occasionally, 1.97 participate rarely, suggesting institutional or motivational barriers. Networking and Mentorship shows low engagement in mentorship programs (0.96 mean) and advanced certifications (1.71 mean) highlights gaps in structured professional growth. Digital Proficiency indicates a low mean score (0.63) in digital tool confidence underscores technophobia, impeding adaptation to modern library demands. The result also shows knowledge-sharing culture with a grand mean of 0.88 which reveals weak collaborative learning environments, linked to distrust and lack of institutional policies. The study concludes that there is the urgent need to institutionalize CPD, foster knowledge-sharing networks, and address technological skill gaps among librarians. Recommendations; universities and library management should sponsor CPD initiatives, including workshops, conferences, and advanced degree programs, implement mentorship frameworks and digital literacy training to bridge competency gaps, promote policy-driven knowledge-sharing practices to enhance service delivery and librarian expertise
Roles of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research Library in Providing Effective Library Services to Users
Full text linkThis article has highlighted the critical position of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) Library as an efficient and important provider of various library services to its valued users. The main goal of this research library is to provide customized and comprehensive information services adapted to the unique requirements of its esteemed clienteles. The NIFFR Library located in New Bussa, Niger State is one of the premier research libraries in Nigeria, offering a wide range of essential services to its users including, but not limited to, borrowing or lending services, document reservation, retrieval of valuable resources, assistance in using the library and its tools, expert reference services, and up-to-date awareness services, to name just a few. In addition, the library actively promotes awareness and knowledge within the research community by educating users on the importance of utilizing ASFA (Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstract) database. Descriptive research was used for the study while questionnaire was the research instrument used for the study. The population of the study comprised 100 fisheries research scientists, 50 industrial training students and 3 librarians. Random sampling techniques was used for the study. However, during the course of this study, some issues were observed that hamper the smooth delivery of library services. The lack of skills among librarians appeared to be a significant obstacle, underscoring the need for comprehensive training programs to enhance their knowledge and experience. In addition, the library is struggling with insufficient funding, limiting its ability to acquire important library materials and potentially creating gaps in its collection. In addition, the problem of insufficient Internet connection adversely affects the efficiency and effectiveness of libraries' online services and prevents seamless access to digital materials. In the face of these obstacles, some key recommendations to address the highlighted issues have been developed. Funds must be made available to support comprehensive training programs for librarians to ensure they have the skills and abilities needed to provide quality library services. In addition, providing adequate funding for the acquisition of necessary library materials would help fill gaps in the existing collection and improve the resources available to users. Finally, establishing a reliable and robust internet connection is vital as it allows continuous access to digital resources
Translating Data into Action: Utilizing Cost-Savings Evidence for Read and Publish Success
Full text linkAs the academic publishing landscape evolves, read and publish agreements have emerged as a crucial mechanism for balancing the costs of publishing with the goals of open access. Demonstrating the value of these agreements is critical for libraries. This project report examines how one academic library created a data gathering framework to show how cost-savings data could substantiate the benefits of these agreements, and how they developed and implemented data gathering and display tools in the library to make a strong, data-backed case for read and publish agreements
What Motivated Them to Assume Leadership Roles: Content Analysis of Interviews With Former CALA’s Presidents
Full text linkThis study explores the motivations of former presidents of the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) in assuming leadership roles within the organization. Through inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts, the study identifies key motivations that drove these individuals to engage in CALA’s leadership and the impact of their experiences on their professional growth and development. The analysis, supported by generative AI tools (ChatGPT 4o mini and Claude Haiku with concise responses), reveals nine core themes, categorized into three overarching groups: Professional Development and Personal Growth, Advocacy, Influence, and Responsibilities, and Organizational Culture. These themes encompass factors such as professional development, career advancement, cultural empowerment, mentorship, and a desire to give back to CALA. The findings offer valuable insights for fostering leadership engagement within CALA and similar professional organizations, highlighting the desire for giving back and cultural connections and empowerment. Additionally, the study reflects on the use of generative AI in qualitative research, demonstrating its potential to enhance the efficiency and rigor of thematic analysis
Insight Into Work Environment and Job Commitment of Librarians: Reconnecting the Dots
Full text linkJob commitment of librarians is intricately linked to organizational factors. Reports reveal that job commitment of librarians in Nigeria is low. Previous studies on job commitment of librarians focused largely on the influence of motivational factors like reward system. This study examined work environment as a determinant of job commitment of librarians in federal universities in southern Nigeria. Social exchange theory (SET) was used as the theoretical framework, while survey design of the correlational type was adopted for the study. 356 librarians in 18 federal universities in southern Nigeria served as the population and a total enumeration of the population was used for the study. The data collection instrument was questionnaire and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the social work environment of the libraries was conducive ( , while the physical work environment was barely average ( = 2.52). There was a significant relationship between work environment and job commitment of librarians ( = 0.181). Specifically, physical work environment ( = 0.338) and social work environment ( = 0.487) had significant relationships with job commitment. Based on the findings, the study advocated for improvements on the physical work environment of librarians to enhance their job commitment levels and ultimately increase job productivity
Beyond Numbers: Advancing Human-Centered Library Assessment Through Qualitative Understanding
Full text linkAssessment is a fundamental practice across professional domains, providing the basis for understanding effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement, and guiding evidence-based decision-making. Within libraries, assessment is often dominated by quantitative measures such as surveys and usage statistics, which, while valuable, offer only a partial view of user experience. This paper advocates for a shift toward qualitative approaches that capture the deeper, human dimensions of library engagement—emotions, belonging, confidence, and meaning. Drawing on current literature and recent case studies from academic libraries, this article demonstrates that qualitative assessment, though sometimes perceived as time- and labor-intensive, can be feasibly integrated into existing workflows, even with limited resources. Methods such as interviews, reflections, observations, and artifact analyses yield richer insights into how library services influence learning and community. By emphasizing understanding over measurement, qualitative assessment fosters empathy, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Ultimately, this human-centered approach repositions assessment as a process of learning rather than evaluation, aligning evidence with the lived experiences of library users