10 research outputs found
Determinants of Electronic Information Services (EISs) Provision by Librarians in Public Universities in South-East Nigeria
No full textThe study examined determinants of electronic information services provision by librarians in public universities in South-East Nigeria. The correlational research design was adopted for the study, with a population of 84 librarians (who are heads of their university libraries and library departments). The entire population was studied through the census sampling technique. Data was collected using two researchers-made questionnaire and one semi-structured interview schedule. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings of the study revealed that while word processing and online search skills have strong positive relationships with electronic information services provision by librarians, web 2.0 skills have a strong negative significant relationship with electronic information services provision by librarians in the public university libraries in South-East Nigeria. Problems of subscription, poor internet connectivity, inadequate power supply, lack of dedicated Web 2.0 tools and lack of regular training of librarians were identified as factors militating against electronic information services provision by librarians in public university libraries in South-East Nigeria
Training and Skill Requirements of Librarians for Implementing Resource Description and Access (RDA) in Public University Libraries in Southeast Nigeria
No full textThis study examined the training and skill requirements of librarians for the implementation of Resource Description and Access (RDA) in public university libraries in South-East Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational research design and involved a population of 297 librarians from eight public university libraries. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 154 academic and non-academic librarians. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire based on a 4-point rating scale, along with an unstructured interview. The questionnaire was validated and pretested for reliability using the Cronbach's Alpha formula, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.91. A 93% response rate was achieved, with 143 validly completed questionnaires and unstructured interview responses obtained from five Heads of Processing Units (Cataloguing and Classification). The questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, mean scores, standard deviations, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC). A single null hypothesis was tested using simple linear regression at the 0.05 level of significance. Interview responses were qualitatively transcribed to support the results of the quantitative analysis. The study revealed that librarians require training across all areas of the RDA standards, including the migration from AACR2 to RDA and the implementation of RDA data element guidelines. It also indicated that librarians need a foundational understanding of the RDA structure and rules, metadata development skills for working with metadata tools and standards such as Dublin Core and MODS, as well as database management skills for safeguarding sensitive bibliographic records— all essential for the effective implementation of RDA. The study showed that there was no significant implementation of RDA by the librarians. They remained largely at the planning stage, considering retrospective data changes required for the transition from AACR to RDA, deciding whether or not to adopt RDA, and addressing budgetary issues related to the shift. A high level of unpreparedness was observed in key areas of RDA implementation, such as the acquisition of RDA toolkits and the installation of RDA-related software. The study further revealed that poor funding of public university libraries, lack of access to modern technologies such as RDA toolkits, and the lackadaisical attitude of some librarians toward innovative services were the major factors contributing to the inadequate training and skill development necessary for RDA implementation in university libraries. It is concluded that librarians’ training has a weak but statistically significant positive relationship with the skill requirements for the implementation of RDA in public university libraries in South-East Nigeria. The study recommended that the management of public universities should provide adequate funding to the university libraries for the acquisition of essential resources such as RDA toolkits and reliable internet connectivity. Furthermore, the management of public university libraries, in collaboration with library associations, and other professional bodies, should prioritize the training and retraining of librarians. This can be achieved by encouraging participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars on RDA to help librarians learn about and become familiar with RDA guidelines, standards, policies, and related components
Infopreneurship Skills for Sustainable Development: A Focus on Library and Information Science Students of Selected Federal Universities in Nigeria
No full textABSTRACT
The study examined infopreneurship skills for sustainable development in Nigeria, with a focus on Library and Information Science (LIS) students of selected federal universities in Nigeria. The study was guided by six objectives which were to identify the infopreneurship opportunities that LIS students in Nigeria can venture into, the motivational factors for venturing into infopreneurship, the skills required, ways of acquiring infopreneurship skills, challenges militating against infopreneurship skills development and strategies for enhancing the infopreneurship skills development of LIS students in Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study revealed that infopreneurship opportunities for LIS students in Nigeria include: indexing and abstracting services business; computer services business; sale of library equipment business and information consultancy services business, among others. The findings also showed that the motivational factors for infopreneurship skills development of LIS students include: a desire to become a boss of their own, become an employer of labour and a job creator, increased social status and prestige, personal financial gain and freedom, as well as high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, among others. It further revealed that the infopreneurship skills required by LIS students consist of financial management skills, ICT literacy skills, communication skills, marketing skills, interpersonal relationship skills and leadership skills, among others. The results equally revealed that LIS students acquire infopreneurship development skills through training from the entrepreneurship directorates of their universities, seminars, formal classroom learning, reading books on business development and growth and also personal apprenticeship training, among others. The findings revealed the challenges militating against infopreneurship development of LIS students in Nigeria, the strategies for enhancing the infopreneurial skills development and also recommended the way forward. The study concluded that the acquisition of infopreneurship skills is a key to sustainable development as it galvanizes sustainable employment opportunities for LIS students and graduates while engendering socio-economic balance for an improved standard of living and promoting LIS students and graduates positive contributions to a national and global economic renaissance. Thus, training for LIS students’ infopreneurship skills development should be given priority attention by all LIS schools through the provision of necessary facilities and enabling learning environment
THE ROLE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN CURBING THE DECAY IN READING HABITS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA
No full textThe study explored the role of school libraries in curbing the decay in reading habits among secondary school students in Nigeria. It adopted the conceptual research approach by relying on existing literature. The study discovered that reading makes a knowledgeable student, and facilitates self-discovery, vocabulary expansion, development of effective communication skills and students’ overall academic success. It also revealed that effective reading habits is a crucial skill that students should possess as it adds value to life; frees the mind from the shackles of information poverty and enriches their problem-solving skills. The study showed that the causes of decay in reading habits among secondary school students include: laziness, inadequate/poorly equipped library systems, poor educational system, poor reading upbringing, social media influence, lack of reading role models, learning disability, dwindling societal value, peer pressure, etc. It identified the consequences or effects of the decay in reading habits among secondary school students to include: poor academic performance, high rate of examination malpractice, high rate of failure in examinations, anti-social behaviours, fear and anxiety towards examinations and tests, lack of knowledge on current issues, low vocabulary, lack of new ideas, etc. The study revealed that the roles of school libraries in curbing the decay in reading habits are: organizing reading competition and giving prize awards to best readers, excursion to libraries such as university libraries, national public libraries, publishing houses, etc.; display and exhibition of attractive titles; organizing reading seminars for students, etc. The study also revealed the implications of new technologies and social media on reading habits of the students as being both positive and negative. The positive impacts include: easy sharing of information, socio-political and environmental awareness, etc., while negative impacts are: addictive social media use behaviour, distraction in the classrooms, loss of interest in reading, misuse of personal information, breach of privacy, abuse and misuse of time, etc. Finally, based on the findings, the study recommended that school libraries should re-establish reading, writing, speaking and debating clubs to reawaken reading habits while governments and all stakeholders in the educational system should provide adequate support in terms of facilities and finance to the school libraries to enable them provide services that will reignite reading habits among secondary school students
Digital Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Students of Library and Information Science on the Utilization of Electronic Information Resources in Two Federal Universities in Nigeria
No full textThis study examined digital literacy skills of undergraduate students of Library and Information Science on the Utilization of Electronic Information Resources in Two Federal Universities in Nigeria. Five (5) objectives were framed to guide the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study was 250 final year students comprising 182 and 68 students from the Departments of Library and Information Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (MOUAU) and University of Uyo (UNIUYO) from the 2015/2016 session, respectively. The accidental (aka convenience) sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected using the structured questionnaire from 122 respondents who completed and returned their questionnaire. This yields 93.33% response rates. The Data generated were analysed using the descriptive statistics to determine the frequency counts and mean scores in accordance with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS Version 23) model. Findings of the study reveals that the electronic information resources available for the students in the two universities are: e-dictionaries, e-encyclopedias, Internet search engines (Google, Wikipedia, etc.), e-newspapers, e-research reports, online databases, e-journals, e-books, and CD-ROMs databases. It also shows that the digital literacy skills of the students include: electronic mailing skills; Internet surfing skills; social networking (social media) skills); basic computer operations skills (e.g. type-setting, formatting, printing, etc.; electronic search and retrieval skills and skills for accessing electronic resources via diverse search engines. The findings further shows that the students acquire digital literacy skills through: digital technology training programmes/practical sessions in their universities; formal lectures as part of course works; self-sponsored IT training programmes; trial and error; and assistance from friends. On the uses of digital literacy skills by the students, the finding reveals that digital literacy skills are used for: typesetting, formatting, and printing of documents; downloading of e-resources for academic works; sending of assignments and term-papers online for assessment by lecturers and social networking. The findings reveals that factors facing digital literacy skills of the students are: epileptic electricity supply; high cost of digital skill training programmes; inaccessibility to internet facilities; inadequate digital facilities, lack of conducive digital literacy learning environment; and poor teaching methods by IT lecturers. It recommends that university-based library schools should design and implement digital literacy programmes to educate and train undergraduate students to develop knowledge and practical skills on the use of digital technologies
Systematic Analysis of Adoption of Innovative Technologies in the Provision of Electronic Information Services in Public University Libraries in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textThis study systematically analysed the adoption of innovative technologies in the provision of electronic information services in public university libraries in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It adopted the descriptive survey design with three specific objectives. The population of the study consisted of eighty-nine (89) librarians and library officers from Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) and University of Uyo (UNIUYO) libraries. The census sampling technique was adopted in the study. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.79 using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentage counts, mean scores and standard deviation. The study revealed that though innovative technologies have strong implications in ensuring the ease of providing electronic information services, but the types of innovative technologies available for use in public university libraries in Akwa Ibom State was inadequate, and the level of adoption was low. The study showed that computers (desktops and laptops), Internet, library websites and projectors are the only innovative technologies available in the libraries. It revealed that innovative technologies are useful in dealing with the ever-growing complexity of information services, access to electronic information services, time saving in providing information services, efficient acquisition services, etc. The study found that poor internet connectivity, inadequate innovative technologies, inadequate skills for the use of innovative technologies by librarians, inadequate funding of public university libraries, poor training of librarians to acquire requisite skills, etc., are the major challenges militating against the adoption of innovative technologies in the provision of electronic information services in public university libraries. The study recommended among other measures, that management of public universities should provide adequate funds, and internet connection, while the public university libraries should train and retrain staff to improve their skills and competencies on the use of innovative technologies for electronic information services provision to users
Strategic Information Access Tools for Dissemination of Information in Academic Libraries in a Digital Era in Nigeria.
No full textThis study examines strategic information access tools for dissemination of information in academic libraries in a digital era in Nigeria, using the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Library, Abia State, as a case study. The study was guided by four (4) specific research objectives. The descriptive survey design was adopted with a population of forty-six (46) library staff; comprising academic librarians, para-professional staff and library assistants. The complete census sampling technique was used due to the size of the population. A-4 point structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions was adopted to generate data for the study, and out of the forty-six (46) copies of the questionnaire distributed, 43 copies representing 96% were completed and retrieved with valid information. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics to determine the mean scores and frequency counts in accordance with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS Version 23). The criterion mean of 2.50 was used to ascertain the level of agreement or disagreement in each case. The finding reveals that strategic information access tools for dissemination of information in academic libraries in a digital era include: library catalogue, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, Internet search engines, online databases/CD-ROMs, etc. It also reveals that strategic information access tools assist in the acquisition of information resources, the speed of disseminating information, promote accuracy in the dissemination of information, enhances effective management of information resources, and facilitates convenience in the dissemination of information. The findings also points out that inadequate trained staff to handle technical services, lack of current digital information access tools such as: OPAC, MARC 21, Dublin Core, etc., inadequate computers and related ICT facilities, epileptic power supply, poor Internet connectivity, etc. are the problems confronting strategic information access tools for dissemination of information. Based on the findings of this study, some measures such as: adequate training of staff on technical services, including ICT training on how to handle web-based access tools; provision of adequate funding to academic libraries, provision of adequate functional computers and related facilities, provision of effective internet connectivity, provision of constant power supply in academic libraries, etc., were recommended. Finally, this study concludes that academic libraries and librarians need to rise up to their responsibilities by ensuring that strategic information access tools are not only acquired but effectively put to use, through improved skills, in order to enhance timely dissemination of information to users
Access to Information in the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria
No full textThis study examines access to information in the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in federal university libraries in Nigeria using the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) and University of Uyo (UNIUYO) Libraries. Four (4) research objectives of accessing the level of awareness of the SDGs, roles of access to information in the attainment of SDGs, the extent to which access to information aids attainment of SDGs and the challenges facing access to information in the attainment of SDGs were framed to guide the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted, with a study population of 106 academic librarians and senior para-professional staff of MOUAU and UNIUYO Libraries. The complete census sampling technique was adopted as more appropriate because the entire study population was used as the sample size. The structured questionnaire with a 4-point rating scale model questions was used for data collection, which yielded a response rate of 100%. Data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics of mean scores and frequency counts in accordance with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS-Version 23). The findings revealed that the level of awareness of the SDGs among the academic librarians and senior para-professional staff is low. However, access to information is indispensable in facilitating the attainment of SDGs by enhancing quality education, healthcare and maternal/child health, sustainable agriculture and food security, gender equality, legal rights and justice, socio-economic development, democratic governance and political freedom, etc. The findings also disclosed that the factors militating against access to information in the attainment of SDGs in federal university libraries include: inadequate awareness of available information, low information literacy skills, underfunding of libraries, inadequate trained and poorly motivated librarians, censorship and lack of freedom of information, personal inadequacies of information seekers, among others. Based on the findings, the study recommended among other measures for enhancing access to information on the attainment of SDGs, the promotion of the right of access to information, training and retraining of librarians and other information providers, translation and information repackaging services, provision of information literacy training in federal university libraries in Nigeria
IFRS Adoption and CEO Compensation: Evidence from Listed Banks in Nigeria
No full textThe study investigates the influence of International Financial Reporting Standards adoption,
using accounting performance measure, to determine the CEO pay in listed banks in Nigeria. The
audited annual financial statements of listed banks in Nigeria covering the period of 2009–2015
are analyzed. Fixed effect model, viz panel data analysis is adopted to establish the findings. The
findings indicate that adoption of IFRS in Nigeria results in an inverse relationship with
accounting performance in determining the CEO compensation after controlling for firm and
corporate governance mechanism. However, the adoption of IFRS shows significant positive
influence on the CEO pay. This result has policy implication, which encourages the regulatory
agencies like Central Bank of Nigeria to monitor the compliance of all banks in Nigeria to the
IFRS adoption
UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADAUTES’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC DATABASES IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThe study investigated the awareness and utilization of electronic databases by university undergraduates in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It adopted a descriptive survey design with a study population of 1,116 registered undergraduates-users of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) library and Ritman University Library. 224 undergraduates were selected using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. Observation checklist, structured questionnaire and unstructured interview were used to collect data for the study. 224 copies of the questionnaire were distributed, but 186 copies were completed and retrieved. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, mean scores and standard deviations, with a criterion mean of 2.50. The study revealed that HINARI, EBSCOHOST, JSTOR, Science Direct, AGORA, AJOL, OARE, ARDI, and GOALI are available in the university libraries studied. It revealed a very low extent of awareness and utilization of electronic databases. It found that the major problems associated with the awareness and utilization of electronic databases by the undergraduates include: lack of adequate awareness of available electronic databases, erratic power supply, poor search and retrieval skills, poor Internet connectivity and access, inadequate electronic databases in relevant fields of studies, etc. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other measures, that the management of universities should provide adequate funds for university libraries to subscribe to more relevant and useful electronic databases across various academic disciplines, and provide adequate infrastructure such as constant power supply and internet bandwidth to university libraries
