Information And Communication Technology Infrastructure and Staff Competence As Correlates Of Effective Resource Sharing In University Libraries In North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructures and Staff Competence as Correlates of Effective Resource Sharing in University Libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Objectives of the study was to find out the Information and Communication Technology infrastructures available for effective resource sharing and to ascertain the competencies of staff in the use of ICT for effective resource sharing in university libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted survey research design and the population comprised sixty (60) librarians. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected. Findings revealed that Internet facilities, electronic mail, e-library computer systems and library automation are the Information Communication Technology Infrastructures available library system analysts are proficient in data mining, literature search and referencing, web searching and computer management, the reference librarian can render electronic reference services, library staff can catalogue and classify electronically, librarians are competent in electronic information input, retrieval system and in electronic storage of information. The study recommended that the university librarians should ensure that computer systems are adequately provided to the libraries and should work toward improving existing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructures, trainings and retraining programmes should be organized for the library staff in lieu of raising the bar of their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies.