AWARENESS OF ADOPTION OF LIBRARY TECHNOLOGIES FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE

1.1 Introduction

Library 3.0 is a model for a modernized form of library services that reflects a transition within the library world in the way services are delivered to users. It refers to libraries using technologies such as the semantic web, cloud computing, mobile devices and re-envisioning our use of established technologies such as federated search to facilitate user-generated content and collaboration to promote and make library collections accessible. With Library 3.0, library services are frequently updated and evaluated to meet the emerging needs of library users.

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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Library 3.0 technology applications are implicit to yield the desirable results of semantic connections based on modeling of people, digital objects, entities through ontologies, controlled vocabularies and other knowledge organization systems. This is essential to organize the Web, especially the libraries as a Web of data, which generates and holds enormous data in the form of bibliographic records, data repositories, digital collections and research data. In this Web 3.0 phase libraries are expected to explore the unwieldy Web content, tap social media networks and disparate library resources and connect them together in a widely searchable, accessible, usable platform for unified searches, visible resources and contextual results. Linked and open data, semantic metadata and ontologies frameworks encapsulated by RDF and Resource Description and Access (RDA) and metadata schema (Dublin Core) models, library services are upscaling to Web scale discovery systems and integrated library services platforms where currency, accuracy and relevancy are at its core.

Oyedun (2007) defines academic libraries as those libraries that are mainly found in tertiary institutions, they are established to support learning, teaching and research processes. Over the past twenty seven years, academic libraries have been affected by changes in information and communication technology. The rate of changes is still accelerating in this area. The introduction of various information technology (ICT) trends has lead to reorganization, change in work patterns, and demand for new skills, job retraining and reclassification positions. Technological advancement of the past twenty five years, such as the electronic database, online services, CD-ROMs and introduction of internet has radically transformed access to information. Rana (2009) opines that ICT holds the key to the success of modernizing information services. Applications of ICT are numerous but mainly it is used in converting the existing paper-print records in the entire process of storage, retrieval and dissemination.

ICT has impacted on every sphere of academic library activity especially in the form of the library collection development strategies, library building and consortia. ICT presents an opportunity to provide value-added information services and access to a wide variety of digital based information resources to their clients.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, conventional LIS such as OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, Document delivery, interlibrary loan, Audio visual services and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT, as they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and most-up-to-date dissemination and end users involvement in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT characterized on information services by changes in format, contents and method of production and contents and method of production and delivery of information products. Emergence of internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changed role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for dissemination of information and shift from physical to virtual services environment and extinction of some conventional information services and emergence of new and innovational web based.

Therefore, in Benson Idahosa University where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Awareness of Adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service among Undergraduate Student.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced in the impact of Library 3.0 Technologies in Nigerian University Libraries, the Nigerian academic libraries still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective and efficient use of the ICT resources in the library. Today, ICT acquisition and implementation is facing a lot of problems. This research work is being conducted to expose some of the inhibiting factors that are hindering the impact of ICT on Nigerian academic Libraries. Among the militating factors hindering the adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies on Nigerian academic Libraries are a lot of capital investment to buy hardwares, softwares and standby generators for the library. Lack of search skills, automation at infancy level, epileptic power supply, and technical know - how are some of the problems encountered by the academic libraries.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Awareness of Adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service using Benson Idahosa University Undergraduate Student as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were set out as follows:

1. To examine the adoption impact of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service among Undergraduate Student in Benson Idahosa University
2. To ascertain the level of awareness of Benson Idahosa University Undergraduate Student towards Library 3.0 Technologies.
3. To determine the usefulness of Library 3.0 technologies in academic libraries.
4. To determine the efficiency and effectiveness of library 3.0 Technologies in academic library.
5. To determine how skillful and knowledgeable the staff are in the use of Library 3.0 Technologies.
6. To determine the challenges associated with the application of Library 3.0 Technologies in Benson Idahosa University Libraries.

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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:

• Does the staff of the academic Libraries have the required knowledge and skills in using Library 3.0 Technologies?
• To what extent has Library 3.0 Technologies been adopted in Nigerian university libraries?
• What is the usefulness of Library 3.0 Technologies in Nigerian University academic libraries?
• How efficient and effective is the use of Library 3.0 Technologies resources in Academic Libraries?
• What are the factors militating against the application of Library 3.0 Technologies in academic libraries?

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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.

H0: The Adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service does not enhance improve Undergraduate Student academic performance

H1: The Adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service enhances Undergraduate Student academic performance

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1.7 Significance of Study

The following are the relevance of the research work;

1. This study is expected to provide a basis for comprehensive information on Library 3.0 Technologies adoption and application in Nigeria University Library.
2. The study will established the existing gaps in the adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies in the operations of academic library in achieving their statutory functions.
3. The output of this study will serve as a blueprint for libraries, information managers/information scientists, researchers, lecturers, students, and teachers to chart the right course of action for the use of Library 3.0 Technologies in furthering education through policy formulation and implementation.

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.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Awareness of Adoption of Library 3.0 Technologies for Library and Information Service using Benson Idahosa University Undergraduate Student as a case study

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. 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.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. 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).