ABSTRACT
This study examined strategies for enhancing information services delivery using digital library system in federal university libraries in South-east Nigeria. Notwithstanding all the effort being made by different Nigerian university libraries towards the implementation of digital library systems, it appears that very little progress has been made which could be attributed to a number of challenges. These challenges need effective strategies that will curb them so as to enhance information services delivery in libraries. Owing to this, this study aims at identifying strategies for enhancing information services delivery using digital library systems in federal university libraries in South-east Nigeria. The design adopted for this study is a descriptive survey research design. The total population for this study was one hundred and nineteen (119) library staff while respondents used were ninety-eight library staff. The study was guided by five research questions in line with the objectives of the study. Data were collected using questionnaire and observation checklist. A total number of one hundred and nineteen copies of questionnaire were distributed to the respondents who comprised of the library staff (professionals and para-professionals) of the university libraries under study. Ninety-eight copies of the questionnaire were correctly filled and returned and were used for this study. Data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using percentage and mean scores while data collected using observation checklist were analyzed quantitatively. The findings revealed that there are digital facilities available in these libraries such as multimedia/digital projector, printers, internet enabled laptop, computer server, library management software etc. The result shows that the services rendered such as online document delivery, e-mail reference services, online circulation control etc.even with the availability of these facilities are minimal, attributing the problems to erratic power supply, high cost of implementation, poor maintenance and update culture. The study recommended enhancement and upgrading of current technological infrastructure/facilities, consistent power supply, consistent staff training, adequate funding, adequate workstation and provision of strong internet bandwidth, international exchange of library professionals as strategies for effective implementation of digital library systems. The study concluded that digital library systems though may not be a magical tool towards enhancing information services delivery (the attitude of librarians too matter) but university libraries in the South-East Nigeria need to forge ahead with the rapid pace of technological change despite all odds..
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The university library is an essential component of the modern university and survival requires demonstrating its value in new ways, embedding itself deeper into the university’s core functions of teaching, learning and research. The indispensability of a university library makes it the central nervous system of its parent institution. Thus, they are primarily established to support the teaching, learning and research of its parent body. Today on the campus of virtually every higher institution, the library occupies a central position. In its placement and prominence, the university library conveys its integral role in supporting university education’s core missions of research and learning. University library according to Saint, Hartnett, and Strassner (2003) is fundamental to the establishment of a knowledge economy and society in all nations. Hence, it empowers the citizens and the society at large through knowledge dissemination. However, these potentials of a university library in developing countries are frequently thwarted by long-standing problems of under-funding, inefficiency, in-equity and poor governance leading to lapses in information services delivery in libraries.
Apparently, libraries are established to provide information services and resources in support of teaching, learning and research. It is an established fact that no university can function adequately without prioritizing the positioning and use of its library. Tella, Awolabi and Attama (2009) stated that libraries amongst other things serve the purposes of collecting and preserving the most up-to-date materials for teaching, research and consultation services, collecting and preserving information resources in book and non-book formats, providing materials on history, language, culture, and socio-economic and technological development,
maintaining inter-library co-operation with other libraries around the world, facilitating access to Information and Communication Technologies, to mention a few.
However, students, teachers, researchers, etc are user categories of university libraries. Their needs vary, their information seeking behaviours also vary and those needs have to be adequately catered for. Apparently, university libraries are meant to serve their parent institutions as the Digital Nervous System (DNS) being indispensable in every academic and research institution just as the Central Nervous System (CNS) of the human body that controls the flow of information in the body. As the DNS of its parent institution, university libraries need to implement Digital Library System (DLS) for enhanced information service delivery. In otherwords, without the digital system, a university library cannot even assume its role as the Digital Nervous System of its parent organization.
Interestingly, Digital Nervous System is a phrase popularly associated with Bill Gates of Microsoft, used to describe a vision for how the IT infrastructure of an enterprise could be analogous to the autonomic nervous system of a biological organism (Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_@_the_speed_of_thought). In the words of Ballmer (1998), “if you think of the human body, what does our nervous system let us do? It lets us hear, see, take input. It lets us think and analyze plan. It lets us make decisions and communicate and take action. Every organization essentially has a nervous system: they take inputs, they think, they plan, they communicate, they take action. The question is how does the nervous system in your organization operate? Is the IT infrastructure really adding value?”
Moreso, according to Gates (1999), the term digital nervous system is likened to the biological nervous system where one always have the information he needs, one is always alert to the most important things, and he blocks out the information that is not important. Digital Nervous System (DNS) is all about providing information constantly as well as
creating a source of feedback to evaluate performance. This is the implication for Digital
Library System (DLS).
The concept of digital library system refers to technologies used for collecting, processing and preserving of electronic resources consisting of audio, visual, graphics, and animations (Mutula and Ojedokun, 2008). According to Ballard, (2000) a digital library system may be perceived as an information service in which the functions of acquisition, storage, preservation, retrieval, etc. are carried out using digital technologies such as computer networks, etc. From a 1996 workshop, two complementary views emerged, saying that digital library systems are a set of electronic resources and associated technologies for creating, searching and using information. In this sense, they are an extension and enhancement of information storage and retrieval systems that manipulate digital data in any medium (text, images, sounds) and exist in distributed networks; their functional capabilities support the information needs and uses of the given community. They include advanced information system that address the full information life cycle, facilitating asynchronous communication, across time and space, and enabling new methods of information service delivery.
Information is a fundamental human need. This need is universal for individuals and groups of people as well. Accordingly, institutions like university libraries are there to help with this need today through computerized information systems. As noted by Shamsul (2009), digital library systems are the most advanced, integrated and comprehensive information systems as they build broadly upon advances in information retrieval, networking and other aspects of information management. Ideally, digital libraries are organizations that provide the resources, including the specialized staff, to select, structure, offer intellectual access to interpret, distribute, preserve the integrity of, and ensure the persistence over time of collections of digital works so that they are readily and economically available for use by a
defined community or set of communities (Digital Library Federation, 1998). In this regard, the defined community is the university.
Nevertheless, libraries are faced with inadequacies of funds to purchase needed information resources and infrastructure to actually provide efficient information service delivery as required of them. Hence, they are not appropriately meeting their objectives which are tied to those of their parent bodies. By implication, previous service delivery systems in libraries in recent times may not yield the desired result, as the ability of university libraries to manually render services that will satisfy the yearnings of its patrons in this era of information globalization is doubtful. According to Ukoha (2005), a cursory survey of education in Nigeria reveals a catalogue of problems and gaps that include a towering infrastructural inadequacy and lack of access to information and resources for learning. As he opined, there is need for adequate Information and Communication Technology infrastructure in university libraries.
According to Anaeme (2006), the emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and their application in libraries, especially university libraries, has continued to revolutionize the pattern and scope of library services. Presently, the world has become so information conscious that people are no longer satisfied with paper and print- based library services. An information revolution has threatened traditional library practices and services. Hence, librarians, especially in universities must embrace this revolution and participate actively and effectively in it in order to remain relevant. Ajayi (2001) says that the information revolution started a number of years ago and the impact all over the world has been tremendous. This revolution has brought about the convergence of Information and Communication Technologies, which has remained at the center of global social and economic transformations.
The information revolution is the central driving force for the introduction of digital library system in universities. Hence, ICT is the gateway for digital library system implementation in libraries although, this system has not been effectively implemented in most developing countries including Nigeria. The advent of ICTs and the introduction of digital library system are key developmental factors in the present day libraries especially in the university environment. ICT according to Blurton (1999) is a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. In addition to this, Campbell (2006) observes that numerous creative and useful services have evolved within university libraries in digital age with the aid of digital technologies.
The convergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is enabled by digital technology (DT). Digital Technology provided the gateway to the conversion of analogue system of communication of human knowledge. This conversion as well as integrative capabilities ensured that texts, audios, videos and images can all converge and migrate to electronic frontiers (Omekwu, 2010). Interestingly, this migration changes the action librarians perform and services they provide in carrying out their core function. The challenge for libraries, their management and staff is to recast their identities in relation to the changing modes of knowledge creation and information dissemination, and in relation to the academic communities they serve. Librarians need to reposition the fulcrum and reconceive the kinds of leverage they can provide to faculty and students’ productivity. More importantly, university libraries must be at the frontage of knowledge and information creation with digital tools and information coordination. Then in these processes, they catalyze the information consumption chain of the parent institution. This is because as knowledge professionals, they are situated at the frontage of the most auspicious period in human history known as the digital age (Omekwu, 2009). In this age, tools and techniques crucial to the control and
consolidation of the exponential growth of information evolved onto information technology. This evolution became revolutionary climaxing into yet another revolution known as the information technology (IT) revolution (Omekwu 2010).
Furthermore, the information variable is the life blood of any university environment. Thus, the whole framework of the digital library system in universities rests on how digital technology empowers the acquisition, standard dissemination and accessibility of information in any given academic environment. That in essence will make the critical difference between university libraries and other information centers in the digital era. Gates (1999) of the Microsoft giant indicated that:
The most meaningful way to differentiate your company from your competitor, the best way to put distance between you and the crowd, is to do an outstanding job with information. How you gather, manage and use information will determine whether you win or loose. p.23
By implication, if information gives business mileage over and above one’s competitors, then it can rightly be argued that academic librarians who are equally regarded as information and knowledge professionals are critically relevant in the digital era (Omekwu,
2010). They must therefore be abreast of fundamental facts about the needs of the students and faculties of their parents institution so as to support the institution’s core objective of teaching, life-long learning and research.
Librarians need to incorporate the various components of the digital library system – networking concept, digital application, availability of information and information accessibility, for enhanced information services delivery. University libraries need to be imperatively involved in the whole gamut of implementing digital library system in their parent institutions. Sharp (2000) states that:
Network advances have transformed modes of communication and will result in significant changes in traditional library structure to
accommodate organized information and access to it: from your desktop it is now possible to get information easily at lesser cost and effective library information service, which were previously either not accessible or not even known. p.52
Digital Library Systems (DLS) has the potential to supplant many of the services provided by traditional libraries, and also extend them. As stated by Ojedokun (2001), digital library systems offer the following benefits of improving and promoting information related activities; contain a wealth of simple information of direct applicability and are ubiquitous (i.e., accessible anytime from anywhere subject to the availability of requisite resources); of dealing with preservation issues of library materials (preservation in a digital system does not depend on having a permanent object and keeping it under guard, but on the ability to make multiple copies); easy connectivity and access to electronic resources.
In line with this, Sharp (2000) sums up the characteristics of the environment in which librarians are working as follows; greater access to arrays of information; increased speed in acquiring information and greater complexity in locating, analyzing and accessing information. However, the introduction and use of ICTs vis-à-vis digital library system in Nigerian universities is not that novel. University library as an information service point should be able to deploy and use adequate services delivery systems because a library’s fundamental purpose has always been to serve their users. Thus, DLS offers the opportunity for libraries to serve their users in a better and more reformed way. Owing to this fact, it is imperative for librarians to explore and imbibe skills (e.g. downloading library electronic resources) needful in the digital environment. However, DLS infrastructure and facilities such as workstations (e.g. laptops), computer server, smart phones etc. need to be in place and properly maintained to enable enhanced information service delivery. Otherwise, university libraries will continue to face such challenges that hamper on their relevance in this age of information globalization.
Apparently, the University of Ibadan and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture libraries as far back as the early 70s initiated forms of technologies in their libraries. Also, Daniel (2002) states that the university of Jos library had initiated some forms of automated systems in its library functions. This trend has grown tremendously in universities across Nigeria over the years given the significant increase in the need for current information resources, adequate infrastructures and information services delivery by the Nigerian academic community. Researchers have also shown that this is achievable through the use of ICTs. It is gratifying to note that most of these university libraries in Nigeria have embraced digital system in library activities and services. It is also fair to say that ICT architecture (hardware) can be found in every university library in Nigeria, though in varying degrees. Internet connectivity can also be found in most university libraries in Nigeria presently (Womboh and Abba, 2008). Yet, library patrons do not get sufficient services delivery. The question is, do these librarians possess the adequate skill to use the available infrastructures and facilities to satisfy the needs of these library patrons. Hence, they resort to other information centers. It is against this background that this study is being conducted to identify strategies for enhancing information service delivery using digital library systems.
Taking a close look at the institutions, University of Nigeria Nsukka was founded in
1955 by the premier of the eastern region Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and formally opened on the 7th of October 1960. The University has four campuses with each at Nsukka, Enugu, Ituku-Ozalla (in Enugu), and Aba, Abia state. The university was the first autonomous university in Nigeria. It has an ultra-modern library, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library (NAL) with a seating capacity of more than ten thousand. The library was formerly commissioned in 2009 and is said to be the largest library in West Africa. On the other hand, Nnamdi Azikiwe University
(NAU) established in 1991 from the former Anambra state University of Science and
Technology (ASUTECH) is located at Awka, Anambra state. The university was taken over
by the federal government by Decree No 34 of July 15, 1992 and was named after the Owelle of Onitsha, the RT. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was in the vanguard of the fight against colonialism in Africa, believing in the use of education as a veritable tool in the liberation struggle and in the enthronement of the dignity of man.
NAU library consists of the main library, the medical library and the law library. Their main library by name Prof. Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library houses the library resources to service the academic needs of the various faculties of the university. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike is a federal university established as a specialized university by Decree No 48 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on November, 1992. The institution is located in the agricultural training and research city of Umudike in Abia state. It began formal activities in May, 1993 and has courses and programs in agriculture, other sciences, and management. Using laboratories, research farms, libraries, and the Internet, faculty and students engage in research. Their library collections include monographs, academic journal titles, periodicals etc. Their library also makes online subscriptions to AGORA, TEEAL, and EBSCOHOST. In the same vein, since its inception in 1981, FUTO library has metamorphosed into a collection of libraries, housing a large volume of academic materials. They consist of books, journals, dissertations, technical reports and monographs. Housed in two buildings, namely Phase IV and Pilot Plant (An annex to school of science) which are 1km apart; the library Phase IV is centrally situated at a convenient distance from hostels, classrooms and laboratories in a relatively noiseless zone of the campus. Its modular form clearly marks the five main sections of the library, viz: Social Science and Humanities in the western wing; Reference to the far north; Science, Technology and Agric by the east and Central Nave, which is the core reading area. FUTO library is not left out in the quest for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as it has acquired resources to match the recent trends in ICT and they also subscribe to electronic
materials. The creation of these universities and their libraries was a result of the federal government’s desire to make education accessible to all as to equip the citizens to adequately explore and utilize these resources. Apparently, in the information store (libraries) of these universities, South-East Nigeria, how well equipped are they and how skilled are the librarians in their service delivery.
Statement of the Problem
Over the years most university libraries have made available nascent facilities and instructional aid geared towards satisfying the yearnings of their users in this era of information globalization. This is as a result of the invaluable importance of digital library system which provides user satisfaction, instantaneous access to online information, all time everywhere access to information, improved library services etc, so long as requisite access infrastructure is in place. Owing to this, there is an indication that DLS alleviates the challenge of information illiteracy level among university students in Nigeria. The implication for non- implementation of DLS in university libraries is low productivity among Nigerian university graduates as a result of inadequate information at their disposal as students; it will hinder quick access to information resources as well as library visibility. Obviously, there are ICT facilities in these libraries. Yet, the extent of their use for information service delivery cannot be ascertained as majority of university library users still leave the library premise dissatisfied and looking dejected with the nature of services rendered to them. Unfortunately, the implementation of this digital library system initiatives have been at various stages facing different challenges.
Some universities like the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ife, University of Ibadan (UI), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have embraced this laudable initiative, but are at various stages
facing various challenges. Some scholars such as William (2008), Wole (2002), Okore (2005), Madu (2004) have carried out studies on related areas but none of these works has covered the geographical location in this present study on enhancing information services delivery using digital library systems. Moreso, notwithstanding all the efforts being made by different Nigerian university libraries towards the implementation of digital library system, it appears that very little progress has been made which could be attributed to a number of challenges. These challenges need effective strategies that will curb them so as to enhance information services delivery in libraries. Hence the need for this study which is designed to identify strategies for enhancing information services delivery using digital library system in federal universities in south-east Nigeria
Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of this study is to identify strategies for enhancing information service delivery using Digital Library Systems in federal universities in South-East Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:
1. Identify the different types of digital system facilities available in libraries
2. Identify the extent of digital services and activities provided in university libraries.
3. Ascertain the extent of digital system skills and knowledge possessed by Librarians.
4. Identify the problems associated with the implementation of DLS in libraries.
5. Identify strategies that could enhance the implementation of DLS for effective information service delivery.
Research Questions
The following questions were formulated and answered by this study:
1. What types of digital library system facilities are available in the university libraries in
South-east Nigeria?
2. What is the extent of digital activities and services rendered in university libraries?
3. What is the extent of digital system skills and knowledge possessed by library staff in these libraries?
4. What are the problems affecting the implementation of DLS in university libraries?
5. What strategies could be used to enhance the implementation of DLS in these libraries?
Significance of the Study
It is expected that the findings of this study will be of benefit to university management, library management, library school educators, library staff, library patrons, researchers and information professionals.
The findings of this study are expected to help the university management to understand the staffing patterns for digital library practices, its activities and tasks to function effectively. In otherwords, knowledge generated through this study will help university management to know the requirements which will be based on skills needful for the digital workplace, in recruiting staff for library.
The information generated through this study will help the library management to formulate policies and adopt effective strategies that will help them enhance their information services delivery practices in libraries.
In addition, the findings of this study will be useful to library school educators as it will give them ideas on what to include in designing the curriculum appropriate for preparing future digital librarians for the workplace. Hence, training better information professionals fit for the digital environment which will equally aid in enhancing information services delivery in libraries.
Moreso, the findings of this study will be useful to the entire library staff as it will help to reveal to them the extent of digital library system practices in their libraries and other libraries. However, librarians can anchor on this to make demand or request for resources or personnel that will improve their information services delivery.
Furthermore, it is expected that the findings of this study will be of benefit to the library patrons as it will give them the knowledge of different information services delivery that they could benefit from as users of the library. It will serve as a kind of user orientation for library patrons on digital library practices.
This work will be a vital source material to researchers especially in the field of library and information science whose research interests are in the area of information services delivery in digital libraries. Hence, it will be an addition to the dearth of literature in digital library practices.
Scope of the Study
This study will cover two specialized federal universities and two conventional federal universities in South-East Nigeria namely Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia state (MOUA), Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo state (FUTO), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra state (NAU), and University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu state (UNN) respectively. The respondents will be the library staff (Professionals and Para-professionals) of these libraries.
Furthermore, the study will be delimited to Digital Library System implementation in university libraries, different digital services rendered in libraries. In addition, facilities available, skills possessed by library staff of these libraries and strategies for enhancing information service delivery will be exhaustibly treated.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING INFORMATION SERVICES DELIVERY USING DIGITAL LIBRARY SYSTEM IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH- EAST NIGERIA
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