UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) IN PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This  study  investigated  the  utilization  of  Information  and  communication  Technologies (ICTs) in public library services in Nigeria. Twelve public libraries from the six geopolitical zones of the country comprised the sample of the study. These include Abia State Public Library, Adamawa State Public Library, Akwa Ibom State Public Library, Benue State Public Library, Ekiti State Public Library, Imo State Public Library, Jigawa State Public Library, Oyo State Public Library, Plateau State Public Library, Rivers State Public Library, Yobe State Public Library and Zamfara State Public Library. The aim of the study was to inquire into the utilization of information and communication technologies in public library services in Nigeria. The specific purposes were to (i) identify the ICT facilities that are available in public  libraries  in Nigeria,  (ii)  determine the perception of librarians on the benefits of utilizing ICTs in public libraries in Nigeria, (iii) determine the extent to which ICTs are utilized for various public library operations, (iv) ascertain the extent to which users utilize ICT facilities in public libraries, (v)  identify barriers to  effective use of ICTs in public libraries,  and  (vi)  proffer  strategies  for  enhancing  ICT  utilization  in  public  libraries  in Nigeria. The questionnaires were validated by the expert opinions of three professionals in library and information science from the universities of Uyo, Maiduguri and Abuja, respectively. Reliability test of the instrument (questionnaire) was done using 120 users and

30 staff (librarians and  library officers) from Bauchi, Kano  and Nassarawa states public libraries. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Stratified sampling technique was used in choosing the sample. The population of the study consisted of four thousand two hundred and forty five (4,245) respondents which comprised librarians (74), library officers (164), and registered users (4,007). Three researcher designed instruments were used and these were questionnaire, interview schedule and observation checklist. The mean was used in answering the research questions and bar charts were used to show-case the analysis of the study. Data collected from the questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist were analyzed using descriptive statistical method. Based on the data collected  and  analyzed,  findings revealed  that: the commonly available ICT  facilities  in public libraries were computers, UPS, video tapes, television sets, photocopiers and printers; users were not satisfied with the ICT facilities available in public libraries; some of the barriers to effective utilization of ICTs in public libraries were inadequate funding, staff low level of computer literacy, inadequate ICT infrastructure and low level of ICT awareness among users; users of public libraries in Nigeria use ICTs mainly for accessing educational information, keeping abreast with current news, events, Internet browsing, down loading and storing information for personal use and for word processing. Based on these findings the researcher  recommended that  State governments  should  adequately fund  public  libraries, public libraries should partner with other agencies in ensuring the provision of ICT facilities, public library authorities should sponsor their staff to ICT- related workshops and training, and public libraries should organize workshops and seminars on ICT literacy for library users. The study concluded that, public libraries in Nigeria need to employ the use of ICT facilities and resources if their services are to improve.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Recent developments globally show that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have permeated all fields of human endeavour, including library and information services.  It  is perhaps  for this reason that  the United  Nations Development Programme  (UNDP),  as  cited  by  Minishi-Majanja  (2007)  refers  to  ICT  as  a  “powerful enabler of development” because of its significant impact on the economic, scientific, academic, social, political, cultural and other aspects of life.   ICTs have therefore become synonymous with “development” in modern day society.   According to Agaji as cited in Gujbawu (2004), the potential of Information and Communication Technology to transform development in both the underdeveloped and developed world is increasingly recognised by governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), corporations and global agencies such as the United Nations (UN).

Information  and  Communication  Technologies  (ICTs)  are tools  that  facilitate the production, transmission and processing of information (Grace, Kemy and King, cited by Eyo, Nkanu and Nkebem, 2011). This researcher categorizes these tools to include computer facilities (computers, scanners, printers, UPS and power point projectors); computer software resources (online databases, CD-ROMs, library application software, Internet and storage media); audio-visual media/equipment (satellite connection, digital cameras, video compact disk (VCD), digital video disk (DVD) radio, television, audio tapes, video tapes and photocopiers; and communication media (telephone-intercom and global system of mobile communication (GSM). Generally speaking, ICTs consists of hardware, software, networks and media for processing, transmission and presentation of information (Eyo, Nkanu and Nkebem, 2011). Qiang as cited by Onwubiko (2011) perceives ICT as the application of

communication technologies consisting of ‘’hardware, software, networks and media for the collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information, via voice, data, text or images’’.  A  more  lucid  definition  is that  given by Onwubiko  (2011) thus ‘’any technology that is used in producing, organizing and for distributing information. It is a broad-based concept that encompasses the gathering (acquisition), organization (packaging), storage and retrieval for disseminating information that can be in textual or numeric (books and documents), pictorial and vocal forms (audio-visual) using the combination of all the above (multimedia) including computers and telecommunication facilities’’ (p.62).

A public library is one which is generally funded from public sources (such as tax payers’ money). Harrod (1990) defines a public library as a library established by local, state or central government for the use of the general public. In Nigeria, public libraries function under state governments and have branches in the local government areas.  A public library therefore is a library that offers services to the public, free of charge.  Such services cover education, social, cultural and political information to its community, reference and information services, and selective dissemination of information (SDI).  Public libraries exist in most nations of the world and are often considered an essential part of having an educated and literate population. Public libraries are important national resource with a vital role to play in establishing, nurturing and nourishing people’s love of reading. They also play an important part in life – long and informal learning, providing access to books as well as other reading materials, whether on paper or in digital form via the People’s Network (Bertot et al,

2008). According to UNESCO public library manifesto cited by Edoka, (2000):

The public library is the local centre of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users. The services of the public  library are provided  on the basis of equality of access for all, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, nationality,   language   or   social   status,   specific   services   and materials  must  be  provided  for  those  users  who  cannot,  for whatever  reasons  use  the  regular  services  and  materials,  for

example, linguistic minorities, people with disabilities or people in hospital or prison (p.12).

Public libraries are distinct from research libraries, school libraries or other special libraries in that their mandate is to serve the public’s information needs generally (rather than serve a particular school, institution or research population) and offer materials for general entertainment and leisure purposes.  Public libraries typically are lending libraries, allowing users to take books and other materials off the premises temporarily; they also have non- circulatory reference collections.  They typically focus on popular materials such as popular fiction and movies as well as educational materials of interest to the general public (Bertot et al, 2008). The use of ICTs will further boost these services and ensure users’ satisfaction with the library service.

Public library users cut across a wide spectrum of the society.  They include artisans of various types, market women, children, secondary school students, university undergraduates  and  students of other  tertiary  institutions,  professionals-  such  as  doctors, engineers, lawyers etc.  It is the varied nature of public library clientele that makes it distinct from other types of libraries.   For instance, the academic library caters for the students, researchers and academic staff of the institution, while the special library is concerned with the information needs of the parent organisation, particularly the researchers. Public libraries cater for all classes of citizens.  They are social institutions which contain  diverse sources of information on a variety of subjects to serve the information and educational needs of the public.  As Onadiran (1989) notes, “the usefulness of any public library depends on its ability to serve the community and the encouragement it provides for people of all ages to educate themselves continually”.

As  the  only  libraries  that  have  their  doors  wide  open  for  all  members  of  the community regardless of their sex, ethnicity, creed, social or class status, age, academic qualifications,  or  political  leanings,  ICTs  are  tremendously  impacting  on  public  library

services  in developed  countries.  This  is  made possible through training  courses in ICT, Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT), the European Computer Driving Licenses  (ECDL)  etc.  (Bird  and  Tedd,  2000).  ICTs  are  also  employed  for  reader development, resource management, information literacy etc. in public libraries. This is done through training programmes developed for both staff and users. Books are selected to meet the specified criteria and links are made from the website to catalogues in certain libraries to ascertain the local availability of titles (Bird and Tedd, 2000). Job advertisements on the Internet provide job opportunities for users and there have been reported cases of users that have found jobs through the provision of Internet services in public libraries (Blake, 2003). The social impact of ICTs in public libraries is in connecting people to ICT, which in turn connects them with their communities and wider social infrastructures (Milner, 2007). ICTs have shaped identities for library staff, who are now more of information providers and facilitators than mere custodians of information/knowledge (D-Lib Magazine, 2005). According to Eve and Brophy (2000), the provision of ICT is generally perceived as a crucial development that will place library service at the heart of the UK’s emerging “information society”. Services provided by public libraries such as reference services, lending service, current awareness service, reprographic service etc. could be enhanced with the use of ICT facilities  such  as  Internet,  CD-ROMs,  digitized  materials,  library  catalogues,  printers, scanners etc. The quality of library services in  Nigerian public  libraries will equally be enhanced when ICT usage is intensified in library operations and services.

Ghosh (2005) also shows how ICTs are affecting the services of public libraries in

India. He emphasizes the need for ICT- driven public libraries in India thus: ICT-driven  public  libraries  act  as  intermediary  centre  for

improving   literacy,   awareness,   welfare   and   cultural   re-

awakening, it is the intention to put public libraries in the right perspective,  to  arrive  at  a single window  interacted environment for information concerned with all aspects of human life (p.5).

In India as well, the emergence of rural digital libraries and application of ICTs is helping solve the problems of developing public libraries (Ghosh, 2005).   Effective utilization of ICTs in Nigerian rural libraries will yield similar results.

In the same vein, Garrod (2002) examines the relevance of ICTs in the activities of agencies in the United Kingdom, such as Regional Development Agencies (RDA), Peoples Network Programme (PNP) etc. The author highlights the relevance of these agencies in skills development and the labour market and suggests that public libraries can relate with these agencies in providing ICT services and support to the general public. He concludes that libraries offer both physical access to ICT facilities and tangible media (books, radio, virtual materials etc.), and virtual access to library catalogues, community library catalogues, community information, digital or digitized materials and a host of portals and gateways aimed at making the process of locating and retrieving quality information sources as easy as possible for the public. The intensification of usage of ICTs in Nigerian public libraries will improve their services in like manner.

Emphasizing the crucial role ICTs can play in public libraries worldwide; IFLA/UNESCO guideline for development (2001) stipulates that:

Public libraries have an exciting opportunity to help everyone into this global conversation and to bridge what is often called the ‘digital divide’. They can achieve this by providing information  technology  for  public  access,  by teaching  basic computer skills and by participating in programmes to combat illiteracy. While becoming the gateway to the electronic information  world  should  be  a  key objective  for the  public library,  every effort  must  be  made not to  close other  doors through which knowledge and information can be provided (p.9).

It is therefore apparent that the utilization of ICTs in public libraries ensures quality service to users. It can also extend library services beyond the walls of the library.

IFLA Guidelines for Public Libraries (2000) emphasizes that “planning library development from a service, rather than building perspective is important in all public library policy development. The provision of services using information and communication technology also presents exciting opportunities to take library and information services direct to the home and work place”. Public libraries in developed countries have embraced this challenge and have taken the lead in utilizing ICTs in processing and managing information resources  and  providing  services  to  users efficiently.    If the  IFLA  mandate on  libraries without  walls  can  be  implemented  in  developed  countries,  then  developing  countries (including Nigeria) can equally achieve same with adequate financial and moral support from the relevant authorities.

The ICT facilities that are expected in a public library include computer facilities (computers,  scanners,  printers,  UPS,  and  power  point  projectors),  computer  software resources (online databases, CD-ROMs, library application software, Internet connectivity and  storage  media),  audio-visual  media/equipment  (satellite  connection,  radio, television, audio tapes, video tapes, DVD/VCD, digital cameras and photocopiers) and communication media (telephone-intercom and GSM). Gama (2007) also categorized these facilities by medium  into  five  groups  as  follows:  computing  facilities  and  services;  film/tape-based facilities – microfiche reader, micro card reader, microprint reader, slide projector, reel to reel recorder, tape recorder, video machine etc; reproduction facilities – photocopying machine, duplicating machine etc; telecommunication facilities – telephone, GSM, telex, telegram, fax machine, satellite etc; broadcasting facilities – radio, television, cable transmission (e.g. CNN, BBC, Al-jazeera). Hamelink as cited by Anansi (2003) categorized ICTs by usage into four viz: capturing technologies, communication technologies, storage technologies, and display technologies; while Islam and Islam (2007) gave another concise classification of ICTs by usage as follows: ICT-based resources, including computers connected to Internet, CD-ROM,

audio cassettes, video-cassettes, photocopiers, printers, software used by libraries etc; ICT- based  activities,  including  data  processing,  circulation,  cataloguing,  bibliography,  serial control, in-house database; and ICT-based library service   including CD-ROM searching, online information service, news clipping, scanning service, online reservation services etc.

Having gotten an insight into the ICT facilities and services that are available in public libraries, the purposes for which users utilize ICTs in public libraries include the following:  accessing  educational  information  for  self development; keeping  abreast  with current  news,  events  etc;  Internet  browsing;  downloading  and  storing  information  for personal use; word processing; sending and receiving e-mail; knowledge of other peoples’ culture; and social networking.

The public library is a potent democratic institution that brings people from all walks of life together in their  bid  for information, education and continuous self-development. Every effort, therefore, must be made to enhance the quality of its services and make them more effective and efficient.   Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a crucial role in all sectors of the society and have radically transformed the role of public libraries in developed countries. Through ICTs public libraries are providing more sophisticated and user friendly services to their patrons. ICTs can afford public library users the opportunity for cultural expression and personal fulfillment through lifelong learning. The benefits of ICTs in public libraries are also evident in programmes in computer literacy and information technology, reader development, resource management, information literacy, access to wider social infrastructure and job opportunities that  are available through the Internet.  Other  benefits of utilizing  ICTs  in public  libraries  include:  enabling  users self education  through Internet and its multimedia resources, provision of speedy and easy access to information, provision of access to unlimited and up-to-date information from different sources, increases efficiency in library operations and services, facilitate cooperation and

formation of library networks, provision of round the clock and remote access of information to users, and facilitation of reformation and combination of data from different sources.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can also improve public library operations and services when utilized.  For example, library application software are used in automating routine tasks in acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials control and similar functions,   thereby   reducing   manual   effort   in   executing   these   tasks   and   increasing productivity. Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) allows users virtual access to huge library collections all over the world. CD-ROMs and DVDs/VCDs are used in providing better reference service and in information management. Similarly, Internet is a powerful ICT facility that is useful in providing effective reference service, e-mail, web information, and enables social networking through social media such as face book, twitter, YouTube, etc. More important is that the Internet and satellite connection have eliminated geographical barriers and  made the world a global village,  with the later allowing public libraries to interact  and  network with other information outfits. Digital cameras are used to capture important events and stored for use in public libraries, while satellite or cable information provides round the clock news and other events around the world. Therefore, utilization of ICTs in public libraries will enhance the quality of their operations and services and lead to users’ satisfaction.

However, a survey in ten countries of Anglo-phone Africa on the use of ICT  in African public libraries (Chisenga, 2004) revealed that most public libraries are inadequately funded to procure ICT facilities, lack skilled manpower with ICT knowledge, do not have ICT strategies  and  policies,  and  are  not  committed  to  implementation  of  ICT  projects.  This situation is appalling given the crucial role public libraries play in informing and educating the public. While the literature to do with ICT use satisfaction in public libraries reveal high satisfaction among public library users in developed countries of United Kingdom (U.K.) and

United  States  (U.S.)  (Tedd,  2003;  Spacey  and  Murray,  2003;  Bird  and  Tedd,  2004), inadequate provision   of ICT facilities in Nigerian public libraries is resulting in low satisfaction among its users.

The current situation, from the researcher’s observation is that the availability of ICT facilities in public libraries in Nigeria is grossly inadequate and its utilization equally poor. The ICT facilities that are mostly available in Nigerian public libraries are computers, UPS, printers, and scanners, and these are used in library administration and management, and for word processing. Essential ICT facilities such as Internet connectivity, online database, CD- ROMs, DVDs/VCDs, and library application software are rarely available. The researcher has had a long working experience in a public library before moving to an academic library. It is the pathetic situation of ICT facilities and services in Nigerian public libraries that motivated the researcher to conduct this study. The population of the study comprises public libraries (including branch libraries) in the 36 state library boards in the Nigeria, public library users and public library staff, which includes librarians and library officers.

Statement of the Problem

Public libraries, generally, function to support individual and self-education as well as formal education at all levels by providing non-fiction materials. They also exist to create and encourage reading habits in children and adults alike, through the provision of rich fiction collection that would stimulate reading for recreation and leisure. In Nigeria, public libraries are supposed to be in the forefront of encouraging individual and self-education with robust non-fiction  collection,  especially  given  the  limited  chance  that  is  available  for  formal education in institutions of higher learning in the country. But this is hardly the case due to the poor state of facilities in public libraries. The use of ICT facilities in public libraries in Nigeria, therefore, has the potential of improving their present situation and making them

better positioned to fulfill their role in the society – being to inform, educate and provide for recreational needs of their users by providing the relevant information resources.

The literature concerning ICT utilization in library operations and services show that libraries of all kinds in Nigeria are not utilizing ICTs as effectively as those in developed countries. Public libraries in particular do not seem to use them in providing services to their users as effectively as their counterparts in academic and special libraries. The consequences of not utilizing ICTs in public libraries are that they will deny users access to the full range of resources available through newer technologies and their services will not meet the needs of users.    As a result, users may not be satisfied. Similarly, they would not be able to achieve self-actualization or their life goals. Consequently, public libraries in Nigeria may not be able to make their impact on national development. This study therefore examined the use of ICTs in public libraries in Nigeria and its impact on library services and users. The question that needs to be asked then is, to what extent are public libraries in Nigeria using ICTs and how can ICTs be used more effectively to improve their services?

Purpose of the Study

The  general  aim  of  the  study  is  to  examine  the  utilization  of  Information  and

Communication Technologies (ICTs) in public library services in Nigeria. The specific purposes of this research are to:

1.         Identify the ICT facilities that are available in public libraries in Nigeria.

2.         Determine the perception of librarians on the benefits of utilizing ICTs in public libraries.

3.         Determine the extent to which ICTs are utilized for various public library operations.

4.         Ascertain the extent to which users utilize ICT facilities in public libraries.

5.         Identify barriers to effective use of ICT in public libraries.

6.          Proffer strategies for enhancing ICT utilization in public libraries in Nigeria.

Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

1.         What are the ICT facilities that are available in public libraries in Nigeria?

2.         What, in the perception of librarians are the benefits of using ICT in public libraries?

3.         To what extent are ICTs utilized in the various library operations?

4.         To what extent do users utilize ICT services in public libraries?

5.         What barriers hinder the effective utilization of ICTs in public libraries?

6.         What strategies could be employed to enhance ICT utilization in public libraries in

Nigeria?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance:

Ho1 – There is no significant difference between the mean rating of staff and library users on the barriers that hinder the effective ICT utilization in public libraries in Nigeria.

Ho2 – There is no significant difference between the mean rating of staff and library users on the strategies that could be employed to enhance ICT utilization in public libraries in Nigeria.

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will be significant to the following: librarians in public libraries, public library managers (Directors of State Library Services), state governments, and researchers. In specific terms the findings will be useful to librarians in public libraries in the sense that they can apply the recommendations in improving the performance of their operations and services to library users. It will also enable them be up-to-date with current practices in public librarianship, thus fully equipping them to render efficient services to library patrons.

Public library managers, who are often addressed as Directors of Library Services in their states are the link between the library services and state governments. The findings of this study will serve as a reference document or tool for the library managers in educating the state governments on the need to adequately fund public libraries in respect of providing ICT services and facilities. It will also enable public library managers to be equipped with the knowledge of state-of the-art technology in library management, thus enhancing their managerial ability in managing information and human resources.

State governments are usually responsible for providing public library services to the public in their domain. The findings of the study will therefore assist state governments in formulating policies on ICT utilization and services in public libraries. The findings will also enable them appreciate the role of ICTs in enhancing public library operations and services, and consequently enable them be more responsive to their grievances.

The findings of the study will be useful to researchers in the field of librarianship and information science by allowing them identify the gap (s) that need filling. It will also afford researchers the opportunity to see the link or relationship of this study with other studies that have been conducted in the area and enable them identify the areas that need further investigation.  This  work  is  the  researcher’s  contribution  to  existing  knowledge  in  ICT services in libraries and will serve as a useful resource material for researchers. Finally, the study may lend further support to the theory, specifically Library 2.0, by examining whether effective utilization of ICTs in libraries involves the input of both staff and users. If answered in the affirmative, this would support the theory’s tenet of being interactive and communally innovative as a means of sustaining the library’s viability.

Scope of the Study

The study covered the utilization of ICTs in public libraries in Nigeria. These libraries are located in the thirty-six states in the country that make up the six geographical zones of

Nigeria. For the purpose of this study, ICTs include computer facilities such as computers, printers, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), barcode and document scanners and power point projectors; computer software resources – storage media, online databases, CD-ROMs, library application software, and Internet connection; audio-visual media/equipment – satellite connection, digital camera, radio, television, audio tapes, video tapes, DVD/VCD and photocopier; and communication media – telephone (intercom), and GSM. The content scope covers  ICT  facilities  that  are  available  in  public  libraries  in  Nigeria,  the  perception  of librarians on the benefits of utilizing ICTs in public libraries, the extent to which ICTs are utilized  for  the  various  public  library operations,  the  extent  to  which  users  utilize  ICT facilities in public libraries, the barriers to effective utilization of ICTs in public libraries, and the strategies for enhancing ICT utilization in public libraries. The population of the study included librarians, library officers and users (including adolescent and adult users). The potential  beneficiaries  of  this  work  are  librarians,  information  scientists,  information managers, library managers, state governments, and all those interested in the progress and development of public libraries in Nigeria.

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