CHALLENGES INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES OF DIGITAL RESOURCES BY ACADEMIC STAFF FOR RESEARCH OUTPUT IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NORTHEN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the Challenges Influencing Adoption of Preservation Techniques of Digital Resources by Academic Staff for Research Output in Federal University Libraries in Northern Nigeria. Descriptive survey research was adopted with the target population of 12691 respondents (librarians in ICT unit and lecturers) in federal university libraries in Northern Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 386 respondents from nine universities. Questionnaire and observation checklist were the data collection instrument used for the study. Out of 456 copies of filled and returned in useable form. Frequency counts, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the questions posed by the study. The challenges identified were absence of library policy on digital preservation, inadequate funding, inadequate human and material resources for ICT usage and lack of standard operating preservation procedure. There were some technical factors found to militate against adoption and use of the digital information for research output. Those included non-availability of required information, Interactive nature of technology, Device networking and Data management among others. The study recommended that lecturers’ time, highly technical procedure and competence to search information which have surfaced as challenge confronting lecturers in the adoption of digital research should be address.