Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level Among Undergraduates in Universities in North-Central
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To examine the user’s perception of library automation
- To examine the computer self-efficacy of users with library automation in universities in Northern Nigeria
- To identify the types of library automation available in the universities in Northern Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Few research articles have been reviewed for more understanding the concept of automation in libraries. Mutulan (2012) in his study has presented the experience and lessons learned during the library automation project at the University of Botswana (UB). The case study revealed that because of the library automation, there was increased access in electronic resources, reduced physical space for storing and organizing information, introduction of new services, digitization of local content increased the access, and access to e-resources through remote sites was made possible through library automation. The study also addressed some of the challenges that the library had face because e library automation, importantly staff anxiety of losing jobs, learning of new skills, financial burden in subscribing electronic resources. Mohammad, Jafar & Parvez (2014) have examined the impact of automation on library management services of four selected management institutes at Aligarh. The study used survey research methods for obtaining the data from the participative libraries. The study found that of the four libraries participated in the survey three of them have partially automated their libraries. The Al-Barkaat Management Institute has completely automated its library. Eighty five percent of the users were of the view that library automation system was better than manual system. Bansode & Periera (2008) have conducted a survey of library automation in college libraries in Goa State, India. The objectives of the study was to find out how many libraries have undertaken automation, which areas were automated, whether sufficient staff was available to carry out automation and the barriers they faced in automating their libraries. The study results found that there was no qualified librarians in many of the colleges to carry out the automation activity systematically, many libraries surveyed in this study revealed they had started their library automation process a year back or two. NewGenLib library automation software was the preferred software for automating libraries. The study suggested few measures such as recruiting qualified librarian staff, providing sufficient fund and training for library staff to handle the automation system. Sani & Tiamiyu (2005) have done an evaluative study to assess the status automated systems in Nigerian Universities. The purpose of the study was to examine the progress, prospects and constraints in automating the Nigerian Universities. The success of the automation process was not adequate, the study revealed. Inadequate funds, electricity supply and network connectivity were some of the major constraints in automating the Nigerian Universities. Sampath Kumar & Biradar (2010) have conducted a study on use of ICT in college libraries in Karnataka. The study examined the availability of ICT infrastructure, status of library automation, and barriers to implementation of library automation and also librarians’ attitudes towards the use of ICT in 31 college libraries in Karnataka, India. The study found that lack of financial support, human resource, lack of training program for library staff were hindering the successful implantation of ICT in college libraries.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level among Undergraduate in Universities in North-central.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level among Undergraduate in Universities in North-central. 200 staffs of some selected universities in North central was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level among Undergraduate in Universities in North-central.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level among Undergraduate in Universities in North-central.
Summary
This study was on Perception and Attitude of Users Towards Library Automation and Literacy Level among Undergraduate in Universities in North-central.. Three objectives were raised which included: To examine the user’s perception towards library automation, to examine the computer self-efficacy of users with library automation in universities in Northern Nigeria and to identify the types of library automation available in the universities in Northern Nigeria. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected universities in North central of Nigeria. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up library technicians, library supervisors, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
This study provides information on users’ opinion on library automation among university libraries of selected universities in North central. The main purpose of library automation is, to access the main modules and functions of the library. The library and professionals allow them to contribute more meaningfully to spread the knowledge and information. The study explains that aware of library automation services and use of OPAC in the university library. Explains about require of the orientation program to the university library users and through which are fields used for searching sources for academic purpose in the Web OPAC. Also explains what the required services to users through automation process. Overall, opined that all sample university libraries users’ opinion on library automation
Recommendation
The university libraries, in conjunction with the university managements, should organize seminars and workshops to sensitise the students on the essence and strategic importance of computer literacy skills to their academic pursuits. This will enhance attitudinal change of users towards developing information literacy skills and better use of the e-resources in their libraries. The library managements should work towards meeting the information needs of library automation users by ensuring the availability of current and quality resources, to allow for more fruitful academic pursuits. The library automation managers should understand the needs and aspirations of their users by regularly reaching out using different types of existing communication methods, seeking their views on the usefulness of the e-resources and services provided for their studies.
References
- Bansode, S., and Periera (2008). A Survey of Library Automation in College Libraries in Goa State, India. Library Philosophy and Practice 2008. 2. Mohammad, Anas, Jafar, Iqbal and Parvez, Ahmad (2014). Impact of automation on library services in selected management institutes at Aligarh: A survey, The Electronic Library, 32 (3), 296-307. 3.
- Mutula, Stephen Mudogo (2012). Library automation in sub Saharan Africa: case study of the University of Botswana, Program, 46(3), 292-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330331211244832 4.
- Sampath Kumar, B.T. and Biradar, B.S. (2010). Use of ICT in college libraries in Karnataka, India: a survey, Program, 44(3), 271-282. 5.
- Sani, Abdulraheem and Tiamiyu, Muta (2005). Evaluation of automated services in Nigerian universities. The Electronic Library, 23(3), 274-288.
- Emmanuel, G., & Sife, A.S. (2008). The challenges of managing information and communication technologies for education: Experiences from Sokoine National Agricultural Library Sokoine National Agricultural library, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. International Journal of Education and Development in Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 4(3), 137-142. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.be/ citations? user=HChBD=nl
- Fraenkel, J.R., & Wallen, N.E. (2000). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education, (4th ed.), Boston: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from http://www.oalib.com/ references/15395 199
- Gall, M.D., Borg, W.R., & Gall. J.P. (2003). Educational Research: an Introduction. (7thed.). New York: Pearson. Retrieved from http://www.sciepub.com/reference/ 115 089
- Haridasan, S., & Khan, M. (2009). Impact and use of e-resources by social scientists in National Social Science Documentation Center. India, The Electronic Library, 27(1), 117-331.
