1.1 Introduction
The concept of ICT is news that comes to the receiver for the first time, and which enables the receiver to take action according to expectation (Bitagi, 2013). The effect of these services has been felt in most libraries across the world. Some libraries display ICT features and tools on their webpage for the purpose of disseminating information, while in practice they are not used. This study investigates the extent to which special libraries in cross river state, Nigeria have adopted and used ICT for dissemination of information, with a view to identifying the challenges and making suggestions on the way forward to enhance quality service delivery to the library users. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have brought significant changes to our day to day life.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Rattling development has been noticed in the area of Library and Information due to the speedy growth in technological innovation. In few decades ago, with the use of technology and internet, the library work has become very fast. To ensure maximum satisfaction of the needs of library users, speed and correctness is the most two important dimension. Primarily, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) improves the workflow of the library which helps reducing manual labor, as a result, it proliferates the library services. One of the most known advantages of ICT is to provide ICT-based information services to meet the users' demands (Woodward, 2009). Emerging ICTs have changed conventional libraries into knowledge centers and librarians function more like consulting information engineers or knowledge managers (Sampath Kumar & Biradar, 2010).
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been found to be of tremendous important in improving the services provided by special libraries as a result of the inability of the existing traditional manual methods to cope effectively and efficiently with the increasing volume in the library, Ducombe and Heeks (2014) cited by Anyakoha (2011) defined ICT as the electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and disseminating information. According to Ige (2010) ICT implies processing, storage and retrieval of information in coded form and its transportation and/or exchange between sources/terminals electronically. Similarly, Ekpo (2010) noted that ICT have been used to simplify availability and access to information and they encompasses the following complementary technologies: telephone, software technologies for distribution of information process, web-browser and servers, multimedia systems, and peripherals. These technological tools and resource are used to communicate, create, process, disseminate, share, store and manage information. ICT has established itself as an essential tool in information services delivery (Ayodele, 2010).
The essence of ICT is in its power to help individuals and societies achieve greater access to knowledge and ideas for the benefit of humanity. ICT has led to improvements in the operations and services in industries, administration, management, education and other services including libraries as it ensures speed, efficiency, accuracy in record keeping, provision of up to date information, access and improved services thereby bringing development and organizational growth. There various areas in which ICT can be applied in library services. Such areas include but not limited to resource sharing, digitized circulation system, current awareness services, information subscriptions and ordering, acquisition of information materials, creation and management of databases, electronic mail services, publications, selective dissemination of information and information storage.
Therefore, in Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Challenges and Prospect of the Acquisition and Application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that Nigeria, being one of the few countries of the world, which began to adopt information technologies in 1990s, is backward but somewhat fortunate because generally, the world of ICT-based libraries is still in its infancy. A number of problems contribute to this situation.
Administration Barriers: This problem is much more acute in public university libraries than private university libraries and special libraries. Administrators, policy makers, and government executives do not take seriously the importance of ICT. Moreover, library administrators have failed to make its importance clear. Lack of knowledge of technological development has created a significance barrier to the installation or development of ICT facilities in libraries.
Lack of Shared Initiatives: Inadequate shared initiatives have made plans of ICT application in libraries very low.
Lack of Skilled Manpower: Library professionals in Nigeria over the past few years have not had adequate knowledge regarding computer applications and automation.
Lack of Financial Support: Inadequate financial support has made possibility of ICT application in libraries more complex.
Lack of infrastructure: Inadequate physical facilities hamper the growth of ICT. Telecommunications infrastructure and an uninterrupted power supply are crucial needs for Nigeria.
Lack of ICT resources: ICT means more than the use of computer. Less attention has been paid to other communication and related technologies.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Challenges and Prospect of the Acquisition and Application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians using Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examines the use of ICT by librarians in Nigeria in the dissemination of information in the educational system.
- To assess the levels of information and communication technologies and plans for the future of Library Services.
- To find out the factors inhibiting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians
- To suggest possible solution towards eradicating the above stated problems affecting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors inhibiting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians?
- What is the use of ICT by librarians in Nigeria in the dissemination of information in the educational system?
- What are the levels of information and communication technologies and plans for the future of Library Services?
- What are the possible solution towards eradicating the problems affecting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant factors inhibiting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians in Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library
- H1: There are significant factors inhibiting the acquisition and application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians in Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library
1.7 Significance of Study
The study gives a representative overview of the attainment level of library staff in an important area of professional competence, and shows the importance of addressing the gap between the desired levels of ICT literacy and the actual level as it helps in information dissemination in special libraries.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Challenges and Prospect of the Acquisition and Application of ICT to Library Services by Librarians using Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
ICT: Refers to all forms of technologies such as internet, computers, websites, telephones mobiles, wireless devices, networks, hardware, software and telecommunication equipment.
ICT Facilities: Are a technological device used to processing, analyzing, synthesizing, sharing different kinds of information and information processing activities and tools that are necessary to improve teaching and learning process.
Utilization of ICT Materials: Refers to using different types of ICT facilities in classroom and in different educational settings for the purpose of teaching and learning process.
