Acquisition of Online Competences of Librarians through the continuous staff Development programs for improved Job performance in Academic Libraries in Nigeria: A Review of concepts and Challenges

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the acquisition of online competencies of Librarians through the Continuous Staff Development Programs for Job Performance in Academic Libraries in Nigeria. Academic libraries have provided, served and executed their obligations of collection development, user education, reference services, and current awareness services traditionally to their users by employing tangible resources to deliver information services. Due to the huge increase of knowledge, the emergence of modern technology and the changes in trends in libraries services, libraries are needed to accomplish more, and the competencies library professionals require continue to change. Libraries throughout the world are grappling with the present issues of technological development, globalization, and digitalization of information. librarians must be familiar with the following competencies in an online environment: e-reserves bibliographic instruction software, management systems, apple and Microsoft systems, instructional design products, a wide range of classroom software applications, serials management software and library integrated systems. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper adopted conceptual approach. It defines the concept of Continuous Staff Development Programs, types of Continuous Staff Development Programs, acquisition of online competencies skills, The use of ICT in the acquisition of online competencies, competencies needed by librarians, challenges of Continuous Staff Development Programs on job performance, conclusion and recommendations. Implication: The paper contends that although the library profession has proliferation of program there still there exists low improvement in the acquisition of online competencies for job performance. Almost all experts now believe that continual learning is necessary for library/information personnel to provide effective service. It is also essential since it will allow librarians to reap the full advantages of these programs and apply their newly gained skills on the job. Librarians must grasp the online competencies in order to execute their duties successfully and efficiently. Originality/ Value: It is therefore imperative that the university librarians function effectively in their services in order to fulfill the demands of the clientele. CPD is a lifetime learning process that allows one to broaden one's profession and competency helps to satisfy the current and future of patrons needs which offers better service outcomes and priorities. It ensures that a person has necessary levels of knowledge and competencies that helps in increasing professional area of practice.