AWARENESS, PERCEPTION AND READINESS OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES ON THE USE OF SMART PHONE TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN UNIVERSITY IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated awareness, perception and readiness of university libraries to use smart phone technologies for information service delivery in universities in North-West Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and research objectives. The study employed descriptive survey design while population of the study comprises 671 librarians from all the 20 universities in North-West Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select sample size of 226 libraries. Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Out of 226 copies of questionnaire administered, 183 copies were filled returned and found to be usable. Findings showed that librarians were aware that smart phone through social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, blogs, e.t.c) could be used to provide library services. The study further revealed that information technology infrastructure (hardware: internet connectivity bandwidth, wireless infrastructure, mobile devices e.t.c) in the university library can satisfy the need for mobile library services. The study concluded that the proliferation of smart phone technology has greatly contributed to the way information is provided. Many university libraries in North-West Nigeria will have no option other than to embrace this novelty so as to better provide enhanced information needs and services to their clienteles. The study recommended that management of university libraries should market their social media platforms to all users, take a leading role in working with faculty to promote the development of mobile device enabled academic content.