Awareness, perception and readiness of university Libraries on the use of smart phone technologies for Information service delivery in universities in northwestern Nigeria: hypothetical approach

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of awareness, perception, and readiness of university libraries for the use of smartphone technologies for information service delivery in universities in northern Nigeria. The study was guided by three research hypotheses. The population of the study consisted of 671 librarians in 20 universities in Northwestern Nigeria. The study employed a survey design using the quantitative method to elicit information from the respondents in all 20 universities in North-West Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of 226 librarians from the population of 671 within the 20 universities. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Out of 226 copies of the questionnaire administered, 183 copies were filled out, returned, and found usable. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses tested revealed a significant relationship between librarians’ awareness of smartphones and information service delivery (f = 8.131), librarians’ perception of smartphones and information service delivery (f = 4.637), and librarians’ readiness for the use of smartphones and information service delivery (f = 18.088). The study concluded that the proliferation of smartphone technology has greatly contributed to the way information is provided; many university libraries are taking advantage of what these technologies present, and university libraries in North-western Nigeria should do the same to embrace this novelty and better provide information services to their clientele. The study recommended that the management of universities, stakeholders, and university library administrators should sensitize library staff and users on the use of smartphone technology to provide services. University libraries should market the services of smartphones, social media platforms, and other technologies to both library staff and users rigorously, systematically, and purposefully to create awareness about the potentiality of smartphone technology.