CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Information technology can be defined as "the acquisition, processing IT define t storage and
dissemination of vocal, textual, pictorial and numerical information by a micro electric-based
combination of computer and telecommunication" (Madu, 2005 quoted in Lucey 2003).
According to Oduwole, (2006) the impact of II Impact information technology on libraries has
been on the library activities which are concerned with information collection or acquisition,
information documentation or storage, information dissemination or retrieval by the library
clientele, information preservation or keeping and on those activities that are concerned with
other in-house routines, such as selection, mailing, cataloguing, indexing, shelves' reading,
registration, notice of overdue, charging and discharging of library materials, serial control and
collection management control.

The use of IT in libraries has significant advantages over the traditional methods because it
requires less human effort, a standard language for communication between systems and
computer programming to undertake varieties of functions using different library software'
Information technology, which is the combination of telecommunication and computer to makes
it possible for an individual (library staff) or the library to meet all information related needs of
the library clientele rapidly and effectively.

The application of IT has transformed the library into a new information service unit, providing
electronic acquisition, electronic cataloguing, electronic on-line public access catalogue
(OPAC),electronic inter-library cooperation, electronic inter-loan, electronic circulation function,
increased computer power leading to speedier and cheaper computer processing, cheaper data
storage like the use of optical digitization of information in text, graphic, photographs, better
transfer of data between different system and media (either intra-networking or inter-
networking), improved telecommunication with greatly increased capacity for data transmission
and an increased reliability of hardware and software. Information technology developments
have also revolutionized Current Awareness Services (CAS) and provided library and
information science practitioners with ample opportunity to contribute invaluably to the research
and development effort of their parent organizations, often generating an increase in income, as
well as, fortune in the process, although, most libraries in Africa, and in Nigeria especially, are
yet to take the advantages provided by IT.
As information is a crucial means to all professionals, so also it is to other academics.
Information has, therefore, come to be regarded as a tangible resource or factor of production
like land, capital, entrepreneurship and labour (Popoola, 2005; Oduwole, 2006). Quoting Leseka
(2001), Oduwole (2006) contends that IT empowers students through access to an on-line
information searching facilities He and expedites research and academic facilities, as well as,
global networks. Raynolds (1985) believe that "library automation has come a long way, over an
often uncertain and unpredictable path, since the 1930's when a few libraries began to
incorporate IBM unit-record equipment into their circulation procedures. The evolution of
technology has always been defines by developments in science and technology that usher in a
new phase of activity or mode of application" (quoted in Oduwole, 2006).

The Evolution of information and communication technology in the libraries has, therefore, led
to a profound and a continuous change technologically, organizationally and socially (Shepherd,
2000). Rosenberg in 1999 surveyed African libraries and reported that IT expectation by
academic libraries for information organization and access has become prevalent. She reported
further that indexing, abstracting and publication of locally produced researches and their
digitization to facilitate faster IT based access will meet the leaning needs of students and the
researchers.

A numbers of studies have been reported on the application of information technology on

libraries (Kanton, 1994; Warner, 1994; Mitchell and Mooney, 1996; Ede. 1996) in Africa.
Formson (1999) reported that automation has increased the efficiency of cataloguing process at
the University of Botswana, which in turn has resulted in an increased in job opportunity. Scores
of studies have also reported the user of information technology in some academic and research
libraries in Nigeria. Such studies include those of Awogbemi (1992), Ogunleye (1999) and Ajala
(2001). Oduwole (2006) noted that, major developments in the academic and research libraries
of particular significant are computerized cataloguing systems which enable the creation and use
of centrally produced bibliographic records. Among other benefits of the IT as stated by Madu,
(2004) are compilation of accession lists, maintaining library statistics, charging and discharging
of books, compiling over-due notices, keeping the reserve, maintaining library rosters and so on.

In Nigeria the success story of application of IT to libraries was reported by Lawani, Azubuike
and Ibekwe (1992).They reported that at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
(IITA), automation has made operation, such as, order of library materials, bibliographic
compilation and literature search easier and more efficient, thereby increasing the job
performance of librarians. In the case of Nigerian Academic Libraries under the National
University Commission/World Bank credit facility agreement of 1991, the Federal universities in
Nigeria were supplied with books, journals, and one microcomputer and a four user Local Area
Network version of the Information Navigator TINLIB, (Ogunleye, 1997).Before this facility
was provided, individual efforts at library automation at the academic libraries like University of
Lagos, the Ahmadu Bello University and University of Ibadan in the mid 1970's and 1980's
failed because of lack of technical skills relating to software development and maintenance of
hardware. Studies by Ehikhamenor (1990), Tamuno (1992) and Adeniran, Adigun and Okoh
(1993) gives insight on the early times of the development of IT application in the Nigeria
academic libraries.

The Nigerian academic libraries have risen to the challenges of the importance of IT in
facilitating services in the libraries and other information centre. The integration of IT system
into libraries has improved services to library client. It has changed the job performance of
librarians, especially, in the area of document delivery, cataloguing. selective dissemination of
information, interlibrary cooperation, serials control and acquisitions (Formson, 1999 and Aina,
2004). Studies on technology integration into library system by Awogbami (1992), Lawal,
Azubuike and Ibekwe (1992), Mosuro (1996), Idowu and Mabawonku (1999), Ogunleye(1997),
Ajala (2001) and Madu (2004) have shown that there are problems encountered in the
computerization efforts. Some of the problems include inaccurate costing of the computerization
project, wrong selection of software, low capacity network system, unreliable power supply,
human factors, finance etc.

However, to take the advantage of the potentials provided by IT in today's libraries, the libraries
have to keep abreast of the information technology development services and resources must be
readily available for the client. These changes imply that nowadays libraries must be more
attuned to the technological environment, possessing a number of skills that will aid them in
serving their patrons better (Oduwole, 2006). Today's librarians, therefore, "need to know more
and to possess a greater variety of skill, than the librarians of two or more decades
ago"(Lancaster and Sandore, 1997; Mellot, 2003 and Oduwole, 2006). This is because
technology increases input, output and job productivity and performance of librarians with skills
that aid them in the use of information technology. It is against this backdrop that this study
seeks to expand the frontiers of knowledge by investigating the extent of information technology
application in Nigerian libraries, using Federal Colleges of Education as a case study in
determining how IT facilitates the academic libraries function in terms of selection, acquisition,
storage or preservation, dissemination and utilization of IT.

1.2 Statement of the Problem.

Serious evolution of library automation systems via information technology began during the
1970's and reached maturity in the later part of the 1980's when the cheaper microcomputer
technology evolved. Microcomputer technology put the use of computers into the public domain,
heralding the era of distributed and personal computing. During this period, cooperative library
schemes had reached their apex and had stated to decline while others ventures into new markets
segments to survive as libraries and organizations alike opted to migrate to using personal
computers that were cheap, users' friendly and easy to learn and use.
In recent past, it was observed that acquired information technologies end up in the library top
managers (the librarians) offices as decorations. The reason for this is obvious, librarians lacked
the skills necessary to operate these IT facilities, thus, limiting or militating against the effect and
impact that these facilities ought to have on the libraries' services. Also, with the diffusion of IT
into the libraries within the past decade, it was obvious that their use will be with considerable
problems. Ogunleye (1997), Adeyemi (2003), Madu (2004), Oduwole (2006) and Idowu (2007)
reported in their studies that computerization of most Nigerian academic libraries failed because,
they lacked trained personnel.

It is pertinent, therefore, to note that, the effective management of our libraries, especially,
academic libraries depends, to a large extent, on how the librarians or library managers have
access to and utilize available information technological resources. In academic libraries, a lot of
information on students, staff and finance abound, the organization and processing of these large
volume of data, using information technology to generate valuable information for dissemination
to all who might need it has become a serious issue in our academic libraries, especially, in
Colleges of Education. Hence, access to vital information available outside the academic library
system (Colleges of Education), that are needed for decision-making becomes a nightmare in
most libraries. However, information technology application facilities help in providing means to
solving these problems (Idowu, 2007). This then call for an investigation on information
technology and its application on Nigeria libraries, how it affects the library staff job
performance and students easy access to information technology and how is information
technology being used in the everyday operations of the libraries.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to determine the extent which information technology
applies to the Nigerian libraries, especially, in Colleges of Education in order to enhance staff
and students' knowledge and the profitability of its application.

The specific objectives are to:

 Investigate how the librarians acquire their information technology skills.

 Determine if application of IT aids librarians' job performance (if library operations help
students' academic performance).
 Determine the impact of IT on the library operations through the use of library materials.
 Ascertain the impact of IT students' academic performance
1.4 Research Question

 How do librarians in Federal Colleges of Education acquire their Information Technology

skills?
 Does the application of Information Technology aid library staff job performance?
 Does the application of Information Technology improve students' academic
performance?
 Does introduction and application of Information Technology has any impact on the
library operation

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the existing literature in Information
Technology application as it is related to the job enhancement of librarians in discharging library
services in Federal Colleges of Education, and on students' academic performance.

Although, many studies have been done on other information technology's related topics, but to
the best of the writer's knowledge, this is the first attempt on the study of "Information
Technology Application on the Nigeria Libraries, precisely, on the academic libraries of the
Federal Colleges of Education". However, since Information Technology affects library
operation and services of libraries and their libraries, as well as, the students' academic
performance. their training in Information Technology use could not be ignored or
underestimated if quality services and high productivity are to be achieved. The findings from
this study will, therefore, provide relevant information for educational planners, policy makers
and information colleges administrators to identify the Information Technology skills needed by
librarians and the students, and so design some policies that will improve the Information
Technology skills of librarians and the students, thereby, improving job performance and
students academic performance. The study is also significant because it would explore the
relevance and importance of Information Technologies skills in the educational system and the
advanced countries. The study will also be of significance to librarians, library managers and the
library patrons in the Colleges of Education, as it will help them broaden their knowledge-base
of Information Technology application in the libraries. The findings of this study will of equal
benefit to their administrators and scholars within and outside the Federal Colleges of Education
system as Information Technology is fast n becoming the determining factor of an improved and
an effective tool in the acquisition of knowledge in the Colleges and other information
organizations.
1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is mainly on Information Technology Application in Nigeria Colleges of
Education". The Federal Colleges were selected for the study because they have their antecedent
in Information technology from other academic libraries, precisely, University libraries. The
study looks at the application of Information Technology to various aspects of library services
and its implications on librarians' job as related to students. The study investigates the level of
Information Technology skills acquired by the library staff in the selected Federal Colleges of
Education: Federal Colleges of Education (Special) Oyo and Federal College of Education,
Oshiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The study does not measure job performance of librarians in
Colleges of Education per se, but focuses and on how Information Technology skills acquired
enhance the job performance of librarians and students' academic performance through library
operations and services. Also, the study does not include librarians and students of public or
universities or polytechnics or monotechnics institution

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Accessibility: It refers to the extent to which information technology related facilities are
available to the library staff of the Colleges of Education, so as to allow them to have an
unrestricted access to relevant information at any given time.

Administrators: This refers to the non-teaching staff of an institution that perform

administrative functions. They are heads of sections, departments, faculties, which are units,
according to the laid down policies rules or regulations that guide them.

Academic librarian: Library and information professionals working in the Federal Colleges of
Education's libraries accorded academic status bases on their acquisition of relevant professional
qualifications.

Information: It refers to data, message and facts obtained from various sources and then
transmitted to the right person through a channel.
It is readily in a comprehensible form to which meaning has been attributed within a context for
its use.
Information Science: This refers to a system that facilitates access to information using the
resources of hardware, software, people and data to produce information products.

Information Technology: This refers to the application of micro- electronic based computing
and telecommunication technologies to library and information work. It is the use of tools and
resources used in creating, acquiring, processing, organizing, storing, retrieving, managing and
disseminating information.
Information Technology Utilization: This refers to the application of Information Technologies
to library and information work.

Academic Library: This refers to an integral part of a college. University, or other institution of
post secondary education administered to meet the information and research needs of its
students, faculties and staff.

Job Performance: This refers to the actions that contribute to the organizational goals and that
are under individuals' control. Job performance in this study refers to the provision of library
services to users by librarians.

Students Academic Performance: The academic result of students in the various academic
pursuit, which must be consistent and reliable. In this study, it refers to the effect of the library
and it on the consistent academic output of students.
 CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction

The world is rapidly moving from an era of information scarcity to one of abundance. Until very
recently, information processing was expensive, time consuming and error-proof; in comparison,
it is now cheap, fast and reliable as a result of improved technologies. These developments in
information technologies have impact on educational organizations. Because of these changes,
the use of information system offers the most attractive and effective means for the higher
education institutions' libraries to increase their job performance and enhances students'
academic performance (Idowu, 2007). Ukoh (1983) stated that, the pace of technological
development is never constant, this is because technology itself depends on a lot of factors to be
successful, and one of the such factors is the human factor.

So, with the advent of automation as an agent of change, libraries. expect that organizational
change will accompany the introduction of computer technologies. Library services have been
the most affected by the computer as posited by Formson (1999). This chapter, however, reviews
previous and, related studies that have similar characteristics with this project. This will provide
a useful background that will help people to understand the work better. The work was discuss
under the following headings: the concept information and communication technologies (ICTs);
the emerging technologies in Library development in Nigeria; the information technology in
Library; impact of information technology on Library services and utilization of information in
Library.

2.1 The Concept of Information and Communication Technologies.

The emergence of computers and telecommunication technologies has led to the emergence of a
new creation information and communication technologies (Stella, 2005). Information and
Communication Technologies according to Hamelink (1997) "encompasses all those
technologies that enable the handling of information and facilitate different forms of
communication among human actors, between human beings and electronic systems and among
electronic systems". This includes all communication devices or applications such as radio,
television, cellular phones, computer and network, hardware, software, satellite systems, as well
as, the various services and applications associated with them such as video conferencing,
teleconferencing, etc.

Alabi (1989) reported that some academic libraries attempted to computerize their resources and
services in 1970's and 1980's but, hit the rock until the National Universities Commission (NUC)
through the intervention of US $120 million World Bank credit facilities introduced. Such
libraries are the University of Lagos Library, and the University of Ibadan. However, presently,
University libraries like, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo, Ile Ife, among others have
their libraries' operations automated to a large extent. So, the emergence development and
diffusion of information technology have changes the society drastically into something which is
now sometimes called 'an information society. Popoola (2005). The ultimate idea of Information
and Communication Technologies is to locate data, process it into information and then craft this
information into knowledge, and it is here that information technology becomes relevant.
(Oduwole, 2006 in Patterson, 1995) was

Madu, (2004) states that, "the objectives of any library are to collect, organize, preserve, and
disseminate information to their particular users". The information that is made available to users
is usually presented in form of printed text, graphics, sound, animation, or still pictures. This
presentation can be enhanced by the use of appropriate information technology. This affirms the
statement of Stella (2005) that information technology comprises all the electronic infrastructure
and facilities implored by libraries to improve and provide efficient services. Such facilities in
broad terms consist of hardware, software, and communication links between the service outlets
of the same library and similar outlets of different library to facilitate sharing of common
resources, such as library networks. Breakthroughs and developments in information
communication technologies (ITCs) increasingly reshaped the way library and librarians' access,
retrieve, store, manipulate and disseminate needed information to the actual and potential users.
CD ROMS, online databases, e-mails, facsimile, the internet, Online -Public-Access-Catalogues
(OPAC), and other technologies that facilitate virtual communication have contributed vastly to
knowledge creation, development and access (Aina,.2002; Ojedokun 2007 and Stella, 2005).

In an article written by Gbaje (2007) cited in Anderson (1996), she identifies the emerging roles
of a librarian in an information telecommunication technology environment as selecting
electronic resources and evaluating their quality: developing expeditions and effective locator
tools to make the complex web of resources more readily accessible to both sophisticated and
naïve users; bring value-added components and indexing to the morass of resources, which will
contribute to proliferation, since anyone can now in effect, publish on web; delivering
information where librarians are not merely the passive catalysts who direct inquiring to relevant
resources, but provide the information that users actually seek, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and
transferred in its most useful form; teaching novices how to find resources, libraries can also
teach specialists how to locate relevant resources outside their own disciplines and even within
their own fields; teaching critical evaluation skills, which include assessing the authenticity and
quality of what is found and determine whether an identified document is worth downloading:
and functioning as a bridge between system designers and users, by having sufficient credibility
with programmers and by understanding users' needs. Librarians can serve as the user's
advocates with system designer while also interpreting to the user what not be technically
feasible". Therefore, students, faculties, academic communities, etc; increasingly demand and
prefer an ICT access to electronic sources delivery system and to networked information as
asserted by Covin and Cragin (2004) that, "students and faculty increasingly demand and prefer
access to electronic sources delivery system, and to networked information'.

2.2 The Emerging Technologies in Library in Nigeria

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have profoundly revolutionized the world of
libraries, librarianship, and information professionals as in other walks of life in the last two or
three decades. The capacities of IT and ICTS application in academic libraries are great,
although, most of the libraries in Nigeria are not harnessing and utilizing the vast opportunities
and resources which ICTs proffers unlike the trend in the developed countries. Commenting on
the impact of the new technologies on libraries, Stella (2005) cited Omekwu (2003) that, the new
information at the pressing of the keyboard. These then include cooperation and formation of
network system; opportunity for information marketing; elimination of uninteresting and
repetitive routine; increased efficiency; easy integration of various activities etc.

Beyond facilitating the authority of conventional library operations and procedure, acquisition,
cataloguing, circulation, referencing, etc; ICT provide immense opportunities for accessing and
retrieving of the universe of information resources without restriction of time, space or format to
libraries through the following as stated by Stella (2005):

i. Online Database Searching:

The library can help users to conduct searches, download results and even request for delivery
from online database services such as DIALOG, BRS, MEDLINE, LEXUS and WESTLAW.
These services are generally offer with cost to libraries patrons through the librarian's mediated
searching. Nowadays, online searching has decreased in most academic libraries with CD-ROM
searching; the advantage of online database is the speed of locating materials by using search
strategies, such as key word-searching and other methods that facilitate retrieval of needed
information.

ii. CD-ROM Searching:

CD-ROM is an information and communication technology with great potential for all type of
libraries. CD-ROM was introduced to academic libraries, precisely, university libraries in 1992
(Stella, 2005; Madu, 2005) by the National Universities Commission to assist in selection of
books on Book Bank database donated by World Bank. To facilitate the CD-ROM searching, the
NUC donated a 386 PC and a CD-ROM drive and also organize training on CD-ROM
technology for libraries (Omoniwa, 2001 cited in Stella, 2005). Since then, the technology has
been adopted by most academic libraries - university library, because of its obvious advantage.
which includes high storage capacity, durability, low cost, no telecommunications required, user
friendly, opportunity for marketing, unaffected by electricity power supply, quick and easy to
access, etc (Oketunji, 2006; Compton, 1994; Obajemu, Ogunyade and Nwoye, 2004). Academic
institutions libraries like University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Ilorin,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira; and many more subscribed to
Silverplatter, EbscoHost, Institute for Scientific Information and many other CD-ROM database.

iii. Online Public Access Catalogue Searching (OPAC):

OPACs are important finding tools for information held in libraries, as well as, information that
are not within the library. IT and ICT have made it possible to access a library's OPAC from a
remote location. OPAC provides access to a vast majority of electric resources, such as indexes,
abstracts, and other electronic texts and materials found on the internet, as well as, digitized
materials from other libraries and organizations. Most academic libraries have their OPAC
accessible at their own premises; while some have their accessible through the internet,

iv. Electronic Mail Services:

This is another technology that is ICT-based. Oketunji (2000) defines electronic mail as the
transmission and receiving of messages, information, data files, and letter of documents by
means of point-to-point system or computer-based message system. Studies by Akintunde, Ikem
and Ajala (2002) and Ibegwam (2004) reveal that a large number of staff and students in Nigeria
universities and other academic school libraries patronize the library for electronic
communication with their colleagues within and outside their academic communities via internet.
Their preference for e- mail service in the library may be because it is free in some institution,
while others' access free is cheaper than those of the Cyber cafes. Also, e-mail enjoins wider
appeal due to the speed at which messages are delivered from one e-mail address to another.

v. Delivering Document Services:

According to Kiondo (1997) cited by Stella (2005), document delivery refers 'to loan, sale or
donations of documents from one library or information centre to another', this is generally
referred to as inter- library loan The acquisition and installation of CD-ROM technology and its
associated services has positive impact on document delivery services in libraries. Presently,
electronic document delivery is the emerging trend in both the developed and the developing
countries. Electronic document delivery implies that the text is delivered electronically on the
network, directly to users (Sweeney, 1997). Examples of electronic device means are: EBSCO
Information Services-EBSCO; Bath Information Data Services-BIDS (Stella, 2005).

vi. Network:
IT and ICTs provide a platform for library network. It offers opportunity for resource sharing,
communication, and data exchange. Library networks have been developed in many countries
like Nigeria. There is the Nigeria Universities Network (NUNET) and in South Africa, there is
South African Bibliographic and Information Networks (SABINET) (Okike, 2000). Commenting
on the benefit on the benefits of library network, Daniel (2002) affirmed that networking of
libraries ensure that network members make up for shortfalls from the strength of others. This
implies that collections that are not available in a library can be accessed from another library
having such collections within the frame work of a network.

vii. Digitization:

Digitization according to Hamelink (1997) is "the process through which information (whether
relayed through sound, texts, voice or image) is converted into the digital binary language
computer use". Proposal for the digitization of library materials, such as, journals books, audio
and audio-visual media of some academic libraries in Nigeria are already in the pipeline.

viii. Virtual Library:

There is no doubt that the establishment of virtual libraries in the Nigeria academic institutions
will enhance provision of current and comprehensive resources necessary for effective teaching,
researches, and learning. Therefore, all necessary infrastructure connectivity should be put in
place and resources necessary for library operations.

2.3 Information technology and It applications in library.

Traditionally, libraries have always been separated into two major divisions of Technical
(Cataloguing and Classification) and the Public services (Circulation and Reference). The
evolution of these divisions has been on the basis of the functions they perform and the
traditional nature of services offered by libraries. The Technical Services Division acquires
library materials and processes the materials, which form the bulk of reserves on which the
Public Services Division falls, in order to render service to the library clientele. With the advent
of automation as an agent of technology and change, librarians expect that organizational change
will accompany the introduction of information and computer technologies, while the technical
services division has been the most positively affected division by the information technology's
revolution.

Formson (1999) quoting Miksa (1997), opines that these days, the emphasis has not been on
collection building but on a renewed rationale which emphasis human needs assessment. He
stresses that, "this requires professional work where the emphasis will be placed primarily on
decision making relating to the ever- changing needs of the clientele". He further states that,
"there is a need in the goal of librarianship to user's needs, as opposed to the traditional emphasis
on collection development which seemed to elevate technical services."

Ukoh (1983), states that it is necessary for the Chief Executive of the library to carry his staff
with him for a successful application of modern technology. The people must be convinced that,
the vital element in any system is the people and not the machines or the computers. People are
capable of making or breaking a system because they are adaptable and flexible, on the other
hand, machines and computers are merely technical tools and extension of human mind and
muscles (Ukoh, 1983). There are various forms of technology that have been devised over the
years for effective handling of information and management processes and these are applicable
in libraries.

The Computer:

In any discussion of information technology in library, the first thing that comes to mind is the
computer. Computer has been defined as "a devise that accepts information (in the form of
digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of
instructions on how the data is processed. Teddy (1993), however added that, "the modern
electronic computer is not only capable of vast quantity of calculation but holds within itself the
instruction that tells it which calculation to perform". One advancement that has been achieved in
the area of application of technology is that, unlike previous times, the librarian does not have to
be literate in the various technologies before employing them. In order words, he does not have
to be a technical expert before using a computer. Although, it requires some technical expertise
or knowledge but not at an abstract and intellectual level. The computer has such a tremendous
impact on the organization, management and dissemination of information that it readily
commends itself to any library that is ready to accept it. The computer has become such a
household word in the developed world that libraries should see it as a great opportunity which
should be taken up as soon as possible. The modern computers are powerful and cheaper than the
early ones, they can be held by hand anywhere, unlike the computers of old which were
massively structured and expensively air-conditioned.

The advantages of computerized systems greatly outweigh the disadvantages, so that, with
proper planning, libraries will derive enormous benefits from the venture. Nigeria libraries,
especially, academic libraries like that of colleges, should not give the impression that we do not
know of the capabilities and potentialities of computer or that we do not need computer to
improve our services. A quick surveillance of the major library sections will unfold the
advantages of an information technology (automated) systems. In the acquisition section of a
library, staff is charged with the responsibility of checking of book recommendation, ordering
and receiving, accessioning and preparation of various reports. Often, most of these are repetitive
and routine by nature, the performance of which is often characterized by errors ranging from
multiple ordering of some titles to delay in preparation of required reports. A computer-based
library system will perform these functions with both greater speed and accuracy. It is easy in an
automated system library to print order slips, produce reminders or cancellation notices, as well
as, financial reports even at short notices. Also, it is possible to produce accession lists from the
systems.

Cataloguing section is a technical area that is always over loaded. It is a common thing to see a
back-log of books waiting to be catalogued or waiting for catalogue cards to be made, and some
of these books stay for upward four, six months in the libraries before they go into circulation. It
is equally common to see copies of same titles classified in different places as a result of errors
not only of pen, but of head. These delays and errors are automatically eliminated in a
computerized system. In addition to producing several catalogues easily, which could be used in
different locations of the library, the system can be used to produce catalogue cards, spine labels,
as well as, subject bibliographies using the classification scheme.

Circulation control is a major function in the circulation section where duties like charting and
dis-charting of books, reservation of materials, notification of arrivals, over-due notices, fine and
keeping of daily statistic take place. These are highly repetitive and routine in nature and can be
taken care by a computerized system with a greater efficiency. Coupled with this, the problem of
loss of book and over-borrowing will be eliminated, if the system has a tracking mechanism in-
built to it. In this case, the alarm will be sounded automatically on reaching a point, if a user
attempt to go out of the library without having the book or the material charged. The aspect of
mechanization should actually commend itself to libraries in the developing countries where it is
not easy to acquire books and other library materials and instead of losing these materials to
some selfish individuals, it is better to preserve them by investing in good security system.

Serial control is another function that its duties are repetitive in nature. As it is with acquisition,
the ordering, receiving, claims, as well as, production of list of holdings are jobs that are
commonly performed faster and more accurate in the developed countries (Formson, 1999).
There is virtually no area of the library operations to which information technology appliances
like computer has not been applied with tremendous gain. First, jobs are performed speedily;
secondly, staff, especially, the senior staffs are relieved of their repetitive and routine duties or
jobs for more intellectual activities, the junior staff are equally engaged in other activities.
Besides performing these repetitive and routine duties, computerized system will be able to
produce any statistical reports and answers to administrative questions at short notice.

Net-working is another area of information technology application. Teddy (1993), defines

"network as a set of inter-connected computers, peripherals and terminal which aims at enabling
each computer to be accessed from the other computers and terminals". According to Formson
(1999), he opines that, libraries have the option of going it alone or joining others to cooperate
computerized systems or networks. The aim of cooperative computerized systems is the
opportunity it offers to share in the benefits of the computer rather than being left out
completely, either because of lack of human resources or capital. He further states that, the
resources and the facilities of a library are hardly ever sufficient for the need of it users and this
is the reason for the libraries in the developing countries, unlike Cooperative Computer system
practice in the developed countries like UK and U.S.A.

Another area of information technology in libraries is in telecommunications. This deserves to be

mentioned because of its vital role of information accessibility. According to Formson (1999),"
telex is used for automatic dispatch and receipt of printed messages'. One special quality of this
machine in that, it offers a round-the-clock service and absence from office does not present
problems. It leaves the message with the teleprinter to be picked up any time. However, this
certainly has an immeasurable impact on any library corporation.

Other modern machines that are of high value in the library are the "teletext" which has the
facility for transmitting textual data on television by wireless, the 'confravision' which enables
people to watch the proceedings of conferences and seminars from very distant places. Use of
video tapes and video cassettes are already becoming popular in our countries and what remains
is for them to be used in the library for play-back of lectures, drama shows and other events of
intellectual competence. These non-book materials are recognized not only as important
resources for teaching, but also for research study and one must note that, they are indeed
popular with the students and other library users.

2.4 Impact of Information Technology on Library Services.

Idowu (2009) citing Laudon and Laudon (1996), and Warwick (1997) stated that management
information can be conceived in different ways, yet the core purpose is illustrated by Davies and
Ellison in Gurr (1997) that: If managerial actions are to be carried out both efficiently and
effectively, then, it is a prerequisite that high quality information is available to inform decision-
making at various managerial level. An information system should be reliable and provide the
right information to the right people at the right time in the right place to achieve clear objective.
Therefore, the purpose of information technology is to "impact timely, accuracy, accessibility
and availability of information to the library users in all facets of life. Likewise, information
technology has no limit to the impact it has on the library services. Stella (2005), states
information technology must revolutionized library, librarianship, and information professionals
in all work of life. Ukoh (1983) confirmed this by enumerating the different sections of library
that the impact of information technology cannot be underestimated as the acquisition, the
circulation control, the cataloguing, the serial section, the telecommunication and the networking
system.
2.5 Strategies for Adopting Appropriate Information Technology

The rapid advance in information and communication technologies is offering new potentials for
producing and distributing knowledge. These technologies have fundamentally altered how we
live and work, as well as, how we learn, and have transformed the world into a global
community. The technological innovations in formations and telecommunications are
revolutionizing capacity to store transmit, access and use information (Educational Testing
Service, 2003). Information technology and communication has allowed institutions to build
international visibility, drive the force behind the explosion of information and fragmentation of
knowledge that we witness today (Ojedokun, 2003). According to Nwalo (2003) cited Tedd
(1984), there are two reasons for development of a computer-based library system, which are
well suited to all types of libraries. These are

 To provide a better service at lesser or no great a cost, and

 To give added benefit at lesser cost.

Adopting Information Technology Strategies brings several of benefits to the librarians the
libraries and the library users. Among such benefits are:
 The provision of online access to a library's catalogue
 The ability to access much more information than printed source
 The ability to produce easily, management information, such the average
 cost of new books, number of books on loan to specific groups
 To save present cost and contain the cost of future expansion
 More accurate completion of task
 Increase control of library activities, especially, those that are clerical, routine and
repetitive in nature.

However, as a benefit to libraries in Africa, the following will be actualized;

 It will permit the acquisition and use of literature on CD-ROM thereby saving the ever
rising cost of acquisition to important serial and other publications for higher education
and research;
 It will save shelving space for the libraries as a significant proportion of the serial and
reference collection can be on CD-ROM;
 It will reduce the incidence of mutilation defacing and theft of library material.
 It will improve the image and efficiency of the librarians both of which are important in
securing the confidence and patronage of user.

Although, information technology can yield substantial benefit, investing in IT does not
guarantee successful operations in the library environment. A wealth of management issues must
be addressed before IT can be incorporated in the library setting. Machi (2004) opines that, for
an effective implementation of IT, the following must be involved:

 Knowledge of recent technological trends

 An analysis of library specifications and requirement.
 A delineation of library goals and objectives.
 Clearly written policies and procedure
 Management commitment and support.
 On going user education.

Other important aspects of the strategies as stated by Madu (2003) are the capabilities to weight
the advantage of IT against the limitation to determine the final selection; the planning for IT
implementations which should be determined by the library managers in order to ascertain the
need for IT and the prioritization if this need with respect to other needs in the library
environment. In addition, library managers should be able to determine who will use the
particular IT system? What are projected applications? What is the available budget? What are
the merits and limitations of particular IT systems? What kinds of communication capability are
required? What resources are needed to support this technology? How will the system be
interpreted into the existing library environment? According to Littman (1995), a feasibility
study can establish with greater accuracy, the potential of the IT project and its likelihood of
success. However, according to Madu (2005), the following questions can aid in conducting
feasibility study as parts of strategies for adopting IT in libraries. Such questions are:

 What are the total estimated costs for the system?

 Are personnel skilled in implementing, operating and maintaining the IT system on staff?
 Is support for the use of the particular IT widespread or restricted to a few individual?
 Are staff and administrative expectations concerning benefits of the IT reasonable

2.6 Utilization of Information in the library

Many significant factors, such as continuous development in information technology,

information exchange, increasing expectations of the society, modern managing perceptions and
applications drive organizations all over the world to develop new application to survive (Idowu,
2007; Demir, 2003). Because of their priority in modern societies, information technologies have
reached a state of high pedestal in education too. The digital age has brought about completely
different ways of providing library services resulting to the development of new services (Gbaje,
2007). Therefore, the online environment particularity the world wide web and the advancement
in technology has made it possible for anyone with the necessary technology and skill to post
anything on to the internet without independent review and evaluation resulting to unreliable
information on the internet. The result is an exponential increase in electronic documents with a
dynamic nature. According to Wurnmar (1989) cited by Gbaje, (2007), severalstudies have
found that between 60 and 80 percent of people searching for information on web hardly find
what they were looking for.

This clearly reveals the much needed role of library and information professionals in the digital
age. Traditionally, librarians select the materials for their collections using criteria that help
established authority and accuracy of the materials. Apart from automating their collections and
adding computers which students could use to search catalogue, online database and the internet,
librarians have the responsibility of enhancing the value of the existing information resources by
customizing and transporting their services to the online environment. Libraries that cling to
traditional services models in an era of new technology, rising and flat budget cannot thrive.
Therefore, transporting library service to the online environment will involve designing and
maintaining a library website as platform for delivering online services. Kaufinan (2007),
acknowledge that digital resources have brought about some radical charges within the library's
organization structure and in the ways libraries provide information and services. She concluded
that libraries as a place will continue to play a central role in the 21st century and will not be
diminished because of digital resources. Instead she expects the 21st century library users will
have much information available to them and will be better served.

Traditionally, human intermediation occurs in a face-to-face made where users expresses their
information problems (or what they know about them) to intermediaries. According to Jane and
McMillian (2003) They noted that there is evidence, both an anecdotal and recorded, that
increasing numbers of people are turning to the internet (an agent of information technology
application) as their preferred source of information, and this is being reflected in the library
reference desk statistics. Gbaje (2007) quoted Coffinan (2004) that, between 1997 and 2003,
median ARL reference statistics dropped from a 1997 peak of 162, 33 to a 2003 low of 96,225, a
loss of over 40% in the span of 6 years. In response to the shift to virtual inquiry, it is
recommended that librarians had to repackage and customize their services, especially, reference
services, in line with virtual inquiry. Coffinan (2005) noted that by the late 1990's, it had become
apparent to many that if librarians were ever to successfully move their service to the web, they
will need something new, interactive and real time. Something that allows librarians to work
with patrons to help them find the information they wanted right when sought for and not delay
for in an e-mail. This according to Gbaje (2007) had resulted into the use of reference application
like web contact center software, to provide online chat where patrons can get an instant
response from librarian and enable users and librarians to look at and work with the same on-line
source simultaneously.
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter will be concerned with the method and procedure used in collecting and analyzing
the data for this study. Therefore, all procedure to be used in carrying out this study will be
described under the following sub headings:

 Research Design
 Population of the study
 Sample procedure and Sample Size
 Research Instrument
 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument
 Method of Data collection
 Response rate achieved and
 Method of Data Analysis

3.2 Research Design

The survey research design will be used for this study. The survey research design is one in
which a group of people or items is studied by collecting and analyzing data from only a few
people or items considered to be representative of the entire group (Nworgu, 1991 cited in
Idowu, 2007). This method will be adopted primarily because it is a suitable and efficient way of
studying large population. It allows for only a sample population to be used to represent the
entire population.

3.3 Population of the Study

The target population for this study will be the entire library staff and selected students from the
chosen colleges of Education. There are a total of thirty three (33) members of staff from the
Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State, and twenty seven (27) members of staff
from the Federal College of Education, Oshiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State. These make a total
number of Sixty (60) from the two institutions. To get a representative sample of students who
use the library frequently, students' that would be met in the Library will be sampled randomly at
a regulated time. For this purpose, the libraries of the two selected institutions will be visited
twice on different times of the day and different days of the week; and the total number of
students found in the library during these times will be considered a representative sample of
library-using students. The total sample of the respondents will be aggregated with the number of
staff from both institutions.

3.4 Sample Procedure and Sample Size

The stratified sampling technique will be employed for this study. Out of the Federal Colleges of
Education in the country, Nigeria, only these two colleges will be selected as representatives of
others. This is because, the Federal College of Education, Oshiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State, is a
typical example of other Colleges of Education, while F.C.E Special Oyo, is unique on her own,
because it is the only Special College of Education in Nigeria and the only of its kind in the
South Sahara Desert Region of Africa. The total of number of the professionals, Not
paraprofessional and the supportive staff will be determined, while the number of using the
Library students will be determined also from both colleges.

a. Colleges and Number of Staff

Name of Colleges Population Sample
F.C.E (Special) OYO 33 33
F.C.E Oshiele 27 27

B. Colleges and Number of Students sampled

Name of Colleges Population Sample
F.C.E (Special) OYO 100 80
F.C.E Oshiele 90 60

3.5 Research Instrument

The questionnaire will be the major instrument to be used for the collection of primary data for
this study. The questionnaire will be used because it is capable of reaching a large number of
respondents and provides privacy and confidentiality. The questionnaire will be administered on
the respondents personally by the researcher. The questionnaire will be divided into two and
each to: of the Questionnaire will be divided into Section A and B for both the library staff x and
the students. Part A of the questionnaire will consist of demographic information of the
respondents while Part B will consist of questions related to information technology application
in Nigerian libraries. Coupled with the use of Questionnaire is Interview for some Library staff
and students, as well as, observation method.

3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments

In order to ensure the content validity of the instrument, the developed questionnaire will be
edited and proof-read by the researcher's supervisor. Proofreading and editing the Questionnaire
will give room for necessary amendments in the Questionnaire prior to the final administration of
same on the respondents.

3.7 Method of Data Collection

The primary data to be used in this study will be collected through the use of questionnaire
designed for this purpose, which will be administered on the respondents by the researcher. The
researcher will personally monitor the completion of the questionnaire to be administered on the
respondents to make sure that the questions are properly and duly completed to ensure maximum
response rate.

3.8 Response Rate Achieved

For the library staff, a total of sixty (60) pieces of questionnaire was administered and a 100%
response rate was achieved. However, out of a total of a hundred and forty (140), only 65
(approx 40%) completed and returned the questionnaire.

3.9 Methods of Data Analysis

Tables and percentages shall be used in analyzing the data collected, also to show the
respondents response rate and their response to questions. The score of 50% and above will be
considered adequate, while the scores below 50% will be considered inadequate. The cut off
score of 50% will be adopted because it is a performance level which is generally considered as
adequate (Erwat, 2002 cited in Idowu, 2007).
 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Introduction

This chapter presents the analysis of the data collected under the following headings:
1. Data Analysis and Interpretation.
4.1 Data Analysis and Interpretation.
The analysis and interpretation of the data collected are presented below:

Table 4.1: Gender Distribution of Respondents.

Gender Frequency Percentage (%)

Male 68 54.4
Female 57 45.6
Total 125 100

The above table revealed that, 68(54.4%) of the respondents were males, while the remaining
57(45.6%) were female. The respondents cut across the Library staff and the students in both
Colleges of Education.

Table 4.2: Age Distribution of Respondents.

Age Range Frequency Percentage (%)
21-25 48 38.4
26-30 18 14.4
31-35 13 10.4
36-40 37 29.6
41and above 9 7.2
Total 125 100.0

Table 4.2 above showed that 48(38.4%) of the respondents falls within the age of 21-25 years
old. 18(14.4%) of the respondents falls within the age range of 26-30 years old. Also, 13(10.4%)
of the respondents occupies the age range of 31- 35 years old. While 37(29.6%) of the
respondents were between the age range of 36-40 years old. The remaining 9(7.2%) of the
respondents were above 41 and above.

From the data above, it can be deduced that, most of the respondents are still in their 21-25 and
36-40 years old of age, making a total percentage of 68%. This shows that, there are some of the
students and some members of the staff that needed to be more proficient in IT application in
order to be more professionally efficient.
Table 4.3: Status / Designation of the Respondents (staff only).
Status Frequency Percentage (%)
Library Officers 35 58.3
Librarians 14 23.3
Senior Librarians 6 10
Principal Librarian 3 5
Chief Librarian 2 3.3
Total 60 100

The Status / Designation of the Respondents are presented in table 4.3 above. This table only
address the Library staff only in relevant to their different professional cadre. 35(58%) of the
respondents were Library Officers, 14(23.3%) of the respondents were Librarians, 6(10%) were
Senior Librarians, 3(5%) were Principal Librarians, and, only 2(3.3%) of the respondents were
Chief Librarians. Except for the Library Officers, other categories of people are in the senior
cadre of the Library of the selected Colleges of Educations. However, it was gatheredfrom the
findings that, virtually all the 125 (100%) respondents were computer literate, at least, above
average.

Table 4.4: Available of IT System.

Yes No Don’t
know
Freq % Freq % Freq %
There is an IT system in the Library 68 54.4 45 36 12 9.6
The Level of IT system is satisfactory 57 45.6 72 57.6 - -
There are computer & printer availability in the 73 58.4 43 34.4 9 7.2
Library
There are sufficient internet facilities in the 64 51.2 61 48.8 - -
library
There are level of IT system network is 43 34.4 82 65.6 - -
satisfactory

As it can be observed in Table 4.4 above, 68(54.4%) of the respondents agreed that, there is
availability of IT system in the Library, 45(36%) of the respondents observed that, there is no IT
system in the Library, while 12(9.6%) acknowledged their ignorance of IT system in the Library.
It was observed that, most of the students' respondents were not adequately aware of the IT
system availability in the Library.57 (45.6%) of the respondents indicated that, the level of IT
system in the Library dissatisfactory, although, 72(57.6%) of the respondents disregarded the
knowledge of satisfaction provided by the available IT system.

However, the entire respondents acknowledged the provision of computer and printer in the
Library with varied percentage of 73(58.4%), 43(34.4%) and 9(7.2%). Also, 43(34.4%) of the
entire respondents agreed affirmatively that, the level of the library IT system network
dissatisfactory, 82(65%) said that, theLibrary did not have a satisfactory IT system network.
From the above result, it could be inferred that, the availability of the IT system in the Libraries
is low, and the knowledge of the respondents about the availability of an adequate IT system in
the Library is very low too. The awareness of the Library clientele (students) is generally poor,
while the Library staffs have the higher percentage of knowledge of IT operation in the Libraries.
However, adequate information about IT system will in no doubt enhance the operation ability
and function-ability of the Nigeria academic libraries.

Table 4.5: Utilization of IT facilities

Yes No Don’t know
Freq % Freq % Freq %
The presence of IT system influences Library 120 96 - - - -
use
I frequently patronize library 125 100 - - 2 1.6
The use of Library improves academic 123 98.4 - - - -
performance
The use of IT in the library has positive effect on 121 96.8 - - 4 3.2
both academic & professional performance
Digital materials (journal) can be easily retrieved 42 33.6 68 54.4 15 12
from the library IT system

The above Table 4.5 analysis the utilization of IT facilities in the Library. 120(96%) of the total
respondents indicated that, the available IT facilities in the Library affects library use
positively.5(4%) of the respondents claimed ignorance of how the available IT system influences
the utilization of Library. None acknowledged the non-effect of the available IT system in the
Library. The entirety of the students' respondents indicated that, they patronize Library
frequently, while the Library staff also indicated that, apart from their Library duties, they too go
to the Library, this make the total percentage of a hundred patronages. Similarly, about
123(98.4%) of the respondents indicated that, the use of Library improves academic
performance, while none of the respondents agreed that, the use of the Library does not improve
academic performance. 2(1.6%) of the respondents claimed to have no knowledge of the impact
of Library on their academic. The result strongly supports the research question that tries to
investigate the impact of introducing and applying Information Technology to students'
academic. Also, 121(96.8%) of the respondents strongly uphold the fact that, the use of IT in the
Library has positive effect on both the academic and professional development. As it can be
observed in Table4.5 that, 42(33.6%) of the respondents support the that, digital materials like
journals can be easily retrieved from the Library IT system, 68(54.4%) opposed the proposition
that digital materials can be retrieved from their respective Library IT system, 15(12%) did not
know whether or not that digital materials can be retrieved from the Library IT system.
It can be deduced from the above analysis that, the presence of IT system influences Library use.
The respondents frequently make use of Libraries, the use of Libraries improve the academic
performance and that, the use of IT system in the Library has been of a good recommendation on
both academic and professional development. Although, the retrieval of digital materials should
be encouraged among the Library users.

The main goal of introducing information technology to Libraries is to supply timely, relevant
and useful information to students and staff. Thus, for information to be timely, it must be
readily available and accessible (Idowu, 2008 cited Onuchukwu, 1997). This simply implies that,
it is not the availability of the system that really matters, but, the utilization of the IT, in order to
ensure timely generation of information. This result therefore answers the third and fourth
research questions of the study whichaim at finding out the application of information
technology on students' academic performances and its impact on Library operations.

Table 4.6: IT Skills

Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good
Freq % Fre % Fre % Freq % Fre %
q q q
Start PC - - - - 20 16 4 3.2 101 80.8
Shut PC - - - - 20 16 4 3.2 101 80.8
Open Files - - - - 25 20 3 2.4 97 77.6
Close files - - 3 2.4 25 20 3 2.4 97 77.6
Run programmes - - 2 1.6 18 14.4 4 3.2 100 80
Alternate - - 2 1.6 20 16 5 4 98 78.4
programmes

Table 4.6 above revealed the various types of IT skill possessed by the Library users of the two
Selected academic Libraries and the Library. 20 (16%) of the respondents agreed fairly to
possessing both the skill of starting and shutting PC, 4 (3.2%) respondent claimed to have good
skill in starting and shutting PC, while 101 (80.8) claimed to have adequate skill of starting and
shutting the PC.

Likewise, 25(20%) of the respondents claimed to have poor ability in running programmes,
18(14.4%) had fair skills in running programmes, 4(3.2%) possessed good skill in running
programmes, and 100 (80%) had very good skills in running programmes. 2(1.6%) claimed to
have a poor skill in alternating between several programmes, 20(16%) had a fair in it, 5(4%)
claimed to have a good skill in alternating several programmes and 98(78.4%) claimed to
possess a very good skill in alternating between several programmes.

The result of this interpretation is that, starting PC, shutting PC and running programmes are
skills that are widely possessed and utilized by both the Library staff and some students in the
selected academic Libraries of the Colleges. Also, it can be deduced from the above data that,
most of the respondents possessed good IT skills in opening files, closing files and alternating
between several programmes, except for a few number of respondents, who have poor level of IT
skill in running programmes and alternating between several programmes. It was discovered
from the findings that virtually all the respondents ranging from 98(78.4%) to 101(80.8%)
possessed adequate IT skills.

Table 4.7: Specific Software Skills.

Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good
Freq % Freq % Freq % Fre % Freq %
q
Working with MS - - - - 30 24 42 33.6 53 42.4
word
Working with MS 15 12 3 2.4 31 24.8 36 28.8 40 32
excel
Creating Presentation 29 23.2 19 15.2 12 9.6 30 24 35 28
with Power Point
Use of Corel Draw 21 16.8 25 20 15 12 22 17.6 42 33.6

Table 4.7 above presents Specific Software Skills of the respondents. 30(24%) of the
respondents indicated that, they have fair skill in working with MS Word, only 42(33.6%)
indicated that, it was very easy for them to work with MS Word, because, they can operate with
it at very good level. It observed from the findings that, people find it difficult to work MS
Excel. 15(12%) of the respondents indicated that, they were very poor working with Excel, while
3(2.4%) claimed to be poor at working with Excel. 31(24.8%) acknowledged that, they were fair
at working with Excel. 36(28.8%) indicated that, they were good at working with Excel, and just
40(32%) of the respondents agreed to be very good at working with Excel. 29(23.2%) of the
respondents were poor at creating presentation with Power Point, 12(9.6%) were fair at using
Power Point, 30(24%)indicated that, it was very much of them to create presentation with Power
Point and 35(28%) claimed to be very good at using Power Point.

This result, therefore, implies that, majority of the respondents do not possess adequate specific
skills, although, the respondents with adequate specific software skills ranges from 3(2.4%) to 30
(24%) and those with adequate specific skills are from 22(17.6%) to 53(42.4%).

Table 4.8: Internet Skills.

Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good
Freq % Freq % Freq % Fre % Freq %
q
Opening Browser with - - - - 3 2.4 4 3.2 118 94.4
Yahoo/Google
Ability to use browser - - - - 2 1.6 5 4 120 96
efficiently
 Web search with yahoo - - - - - - 3 2.4 122 97
Web search with - - - - - - 2 1.6 123 98.4
Google
Academic search with 28 22.4 15 12 5 4 26 20.8 51 40.8
library Database
Retrieving full online 22 17.6 19 15.2 3 2.4 29 23.2 52 41.6
article from academic
database

As it can be seen in the Table 4.8 above, 3(2.4%) of the respondents were fair at opening
browsers with either Yahoo or Google. 4(3.2%) of the respondents were good at opening
browsers with either Yahoo or Google. 118(94.4%) claimed to very good at using Yahoo or
Google, while none were considered their internet skills to be either very poor or poor.

Likewise, 2(1.6%) respondents were fair at using browsers, 5(4%) of the respondents were good
at using browsers, and 120 (96%) were very good. None of the respondents acknowledged being
very poor or poor. Likewise, there is no respondent that was poor, very poor or fair at Web-
searching using Google.

2(1.6%) of the respondents claimed to be good and 123(98.4%) were found to be very good at
using Google for Web- Search.

However, reverse was the case, as only 28(22.4%) of the respondents claimed to be very poor at
using the Library Database for any academic search. 15(12%) of the respondents claimed to be
poor at using the Library Database for any academic search, 5(4%) claimed to be fair at it for
academic search. 26(20.8% of the respondents claimed to have a good internet skill, 51(41.8%)
agreed to be very good at using internet. Lastly, only 22(17.6%) of the respondents agreed that,
they were very poor at retrieving full article from an online academic library's database. 19(15.2)
of the respondents agreed to be poor at retrieving full article from the online academic library's
database.

Contrary to the above, only 3(2.4%) of the respondents acknowledged their skills at retrieving
full article from an online academic library's database. 29(23.2%) were found to be good at
retrieving full article. While 52(41.6%) of the respondents were found to have enough skill at
retrieving retrieving full article from an online academic library's database.

From the above result, it could be deduced that, most of the respondents were proficient at
internet using skill, except for those respondents, who were very poor and poor using internet
skillfully to retrieve full article from an online academic database.
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction

This section summarizes the main research findings of the study under the following sub-
headings:

 Summary
 Conclusion
 Recommendation
 Suggestion For Further Studies.

5.1: Summary

This study, using survey research design, examined Information Technology Application in
Nigeria Libraries, using two Federal Colleges of Education, that is, Federal College of
Education, Special, Oyo, Oyo State, and Federal College of Education, Oshiele, Ogun State. The
findings of the study are thus summarized below:

According to the results of this study which was about the Information Technology Application
in Nigeria Libraries, if was observed that, the awareness of the Library patrons about the
availability of information technology system was very high. Very few of the respondents were
not sure of whether IT facilities was available or not. The level of the use of the IT facilities was
also encouraging as many of the respondents agreed to the impressive impact of IT on the library
users. It was also reported that, the use of library improves both the professional skills of library
staff, as well as, the academic performance of students. Likewise, most of the respondents were
found to be far above fair, when considering the IT skills possessed by them, except for the
insignificant number of respondents. In the same vein, the findings of the study revealed that,
almost all the respondents were good at having internet skills. It was observed that, the number
ofrespondents that could operate browsers, either Yahoo or Google, for variety of purposes was
magnificent.

Moreover, it was observed that, as available as IT were in these Colleges, so also were capable
arms in the Library to put the Library users through in the use of those systems. However, it was
observed that, some specific software in the library was not adequately utilized. Quite a
handsome number of respondents were found deficient in working with Microsoft Excel,
creating presentation with Power Point. It was also observed that, some of the respondents were
not good at using the internet to either search for information materials through searching the
library database or retrieving full article from an online academic database.

Furthermore, the findings of the study revealed that, the information technology facilities are the
most heavily utilized of all the library system. It was also discovered through the findings that,
students patronize the library frequently; the level of digital material that can be retrieved from
the library IT system was low compared with the numbers of respondents that were unable to
retrieve digital information materials. The findings of this study, through observation, revealed
that, the Information Technology Centre is separated from the main library at the Federal
College of Education, Special, Oyo; while that of the Federal College of Education, Oshiele, is
incorporated.

5.2 Conclusion

The following conclusions were made based on the findings of the study summarized in the
preceding section of this chapter. The study, through the collected and analyzed data, has been
able to establish the fact that the Information Technology Application in Nigeria libraries is
really impacting greatly on both library staff and the library users. Furthermore, Information
Technology Application has contributed immensely to the Library user's orientation and skills. It
has improved academic and professional development of both students and library users. With
the number of respondents, who confirmedthe impact of library on the library users, it is
commendable to observe, IT system actually influences library use. Moreover, the study
established that, most of the areas that respondents were found to be either very poor or poor,
were on the specific software and internet skills. Hence, adequate measure should be put in place
in order to overcome those areas of lapses.

5.3. Recommendations.

Based on the findings of this study, therefore, the following recommendations were made, vis-à-
vis information technology application in Nigeria libraries. Most especially, academic libraries
for an improved academic performance and an improved library use.

1. It is recommended that, more sophisticated information technologies and IT Software should

be acquired into the Colleges' libraries, so as, to ensure its availability and adequacy for the
library staff and students

2. It is also recommended that, staffs are allowed to have access to trainings and seminars, so as,
to develop the IT skills and to expose them to operation ability of the supplicated information
technologies.
3. Management should ensure that, IT/Library skill are funded as this will solve the barriers of
insufficiency and, therefore, make library IT facilities to be more accessible to both the library
staff and the students.

4. Library staff should ensure that, they make effective use of the library information
technologies, in order to encourage and rightly direct the library users.

5. The internet skills of both the library staff and the students should be developed, especially on
the specific software and internet skills by the library staff, among the library officers and
librarians of the Nigeria Academic Libraries.

5.4. Suggestion for Further Studies.

The researcher hereby wishes to suggest that further and detailed studies be carries out on the
information technology application in Nigeria libraries, especially on the specific software and
internet skills of library staff, among the library officers and librarians of the Nigeria Academic
Libraries.