Review Article - Global Educational Journal of Library and Information Science ( 2022) Volume 9, Issue 3

Implementation of ICT projects and utilization of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin

Anthonia C Eneh¹ and Vincent C Opara^{2* 1}Department of Library and Information Science, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria
²Department of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
^*Corresponding Author:
Vincent C Opara, Department of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Email: praisechi@yahoo.com

Received: 07-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. GEJLIS-22-68758; Editor assigned: 11-Jul-2022, Pre QC No. GEJLIS-22-68758(PQ); Reviewed: 25-Jul-2022, QC No. GEJLIS-22-68758; Revised: 05-Oct-2022, Manuscript No. GEJLIS-22-68758(R); Published: 12-Oct-2022, DOI: 10.15651/2449-0628.22.09.059

Introduction

Traditional library functions included acquiring, arranging and disseminating knowledge to the general public. Its function has been modified by the rise in the creation and transmission of digital and electronic information, notably with the advent of the Internet and related information and communications technology. Technology improvement has led to the creation of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), a term that has been used by many industries, including education. By combining computer hardware and software with communications networks, digital content delivery opens up new possibilities for educational institutions to provide new kinds of instruction and training (Prytherch, 2005). Technology has had a profound impact on Nigeria's educational landscape. There have been significant changes in the ways in which knowledge is influenced and shared among instructors and students as a result of the widespread use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Higher education institutions have also been influenced by ICT's impact. With the widespread use of technology in many industrialised nations, individuals are receiving high-quality educational services in a short period of time (Galvin, et al., 2017; Hinostroza, et al., 2018). Many nations' educational systems have been restructured as a consequence of the proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Chanchinmawia and Verma say that ICT is the use of technology to oversee classroom activities. ICT encompasses everything else, including computer hardware, software, CDROMs, DVD players, and the internet. Lecturers have access to a broad variety of information thanks to the availability of ICT projects and library resources. Many academics have underlined the importance of ICT and library resources in the classroom, the workplace, and in the pursuit of scholarly inquiry (Gbaje, Yani, and Odigie, et al., 2018; Okiki, et al., 2013). In order to be effective in their roles, professors must have the ability to adjust their usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Because of this, it is not unexpected that ICT is being pushed as a viable educational tool. Teaching and learning can't be truly connected to real life if it doesn't use technology. This is because ICT makes education more relevant, makes it more accessible, and improves the quality of education. Academic libraries exist because students, lecturers, and researchers depend on them to get the information they need to do their work, study, investigate, and share what they've learned (Ferguson, et al., 2016). An academic library's success hinges on its ability to understand and meet the demands of its constituents. In order for the library to better serve its patrons, it must be aware of their needs and desires. To ensure the timely distribution of information in response to the demands of its customers, a good academic library offers Information Communication and Technology (ICT) service. A library's performance is also measured by its resources, both human and material, and the services it provides via these resources. In order to ensure that the library's resources are meeting the requirements of its customers, it is necessary to conduct frequent assessments of their usage. Libraries ICT projects including retroactive conversion, digitalization, and so on have been funded by Nigeria's higher education budget in order to assure better service delivery.

Statement of the Problem

No one can dispute the impact of information and communications technology on human life and the Nigerian university system in particular. Libraries, on the other hand, offer infrastructure for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to enable people learn how to utilise information efficiently and conserve it for future generations. Many ICT projects have been executed in university libraries, some of which are; retrospective conversion and digitization of records, automation of the library routine processes like cataloguing, classification and Patron management. Some of the perceived benefits of these projects to the library community (lecturers) include fast tracking of processes, automation of library book search and the classroom. Despite the numerous benefits of these ICT projects and the vast amount of allocation distributed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) at the university library, it seems that there is no effective implementation of ICT projects and utilization by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin. Many scholars have attempted to investigate implementation of ICT projects from diverse perspectives and scopes, but to the researcher’s knowledge not much has been done in the specific geographic area.

Objectives of the Study

The objective of the study is to examine the Implementation of ICT projects and utilization of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin. Specifically, the study seeks to:

• Determine the available ICT projects implemented in John Harris library, university of Benin.

• Find out the influence of retrospective conversion on the utilization of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin.

• Determine the influence of digitization of records on utilisation of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin.

To determine how the automation of Library routine influence the utilisation of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin.

Research Question

• What are the available ICT projects implemented in John Harris library, university of Benin?

• What is the influence of retrospective conversion on the utilization of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin?

• What is the influence of digitization of records on utilisation of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin?

• How has the automation of library routine influence the utilisation of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, university of Benin?

Literature Review

The fundamental mission of a research library is to support research through the provision of knowledge resources featuring diversified mix of scholarly literatures such as books, serials, documents in both print and digital formats. Information resources are critical to knowledge acquisition, learning, and research. In fact, academic libraries of all sizes are required to provide their patrons with reasonable access to information resources for the purposes of reading, learning, and doing research.

Reference sources, novels, children's and young adult literatures, historical books, newspapers, and periodicals are all part of the library's collection. In addition to pictures, maps, art reproductions, and sound and video recordings, they were also often included. Additionally, there are CD-ROMs, CD-ROM drives, and the ability to access information from across the globe through the internet. In order to serve and improve the institution's educational and research requirements, the university library must establish and manage a collection. As a result, academic libraries are expected to give faculty (lecturers) and other members of the community with equal access to print and non-print sources of information in order to help them accomplish their academic goals. To meet the informational needs of its patrons, university libraries must amass a comprehensive collection of printed and digital materials. Providing access to materials is as important as providing enough and well-balanced functional resources, and the library should do both. According to Okiy (2011) Nigerian academic and research libraries have an important role to play in helping institutions fulfil their statutory obligations. For the parent institution to achieve its broad and specialised goals in teaching and learning as well as research, viable information resources, services, and lecturers' use is essential.

Pharmaceutical scientists in Nigeria were researched by Opeke, Osunkunle, and Okwilagwe (2002) to learn more about their information needs and habits. An examination of work circumstances indicated that pharmaceutical experts were working with outdated information resources and shoddy service delivery methods. Scientists observed that they relied heavily on oral and unseen college sources (colleagues). According to a research by Onifade, Ogunbiyi, and Omeluzor (2013), postgraduate students at a Nigerian private institution use library resources and services in an efficient manner. Most students don't visit the library on a regular basis owing to a lack of well-stocked resources, according to the findings. When Adegun (2015) performed a survey of African universities on the effectiveness of library service and resources, he found that if the service and resources were appropriate, the number of students using the library would grow.

One of the most seen ICT projects in Nigerian libraries today is the automation and digitization project. Gbaje (2007) asserts that already many academic libraries have extended their services to include internet access within the library and also online information services through their library websites. Technology and ICTs in libraries have not only improved the impact of information resources and made them accessible, but also put greater focus on providing efficient and effective service. ICT facilities in the library includes: Computer workstation, Internet access, offline information resources, digital camara, printers, scanners DVDs and CD-ROMs.

Gbaje and Okojie (2011) revealed that offline CD-ROM search and free wireless internet access were the most popular form of access to information provided by most universities in Nigeria, while free printing services were very unpopular. They went further to posit that provision of free wireless internet access has made it possible for library users to bring in their laptops and connect to the wireless internet access without a fee. This has greatly increased the patronage of the library. Statistics from Tetfund (2018) showed that university libraries ICT facilities have been greatly improved with the allocation to the library running to over 2.5 billion naira.

Converting an existing catalogue to a machine-readable format is known as retroactive conversion in libraries and information centres (Beaumont and Cox, 1989). When a library does a "retrospective conversion," they are doing it in accordance with established norms and standards to convert its current bibliographic data from a manuallyreadable format to one that can be read by computers. Library automation necessitates the ability to do retroactive conversions. To take full advantage of automation, university libraries are converting all of their records into complete databases of their holdings.

Lecturers' preferences for digital systems of information have shifted in the digital age. Lecturers are increasingly using digital technology including desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones because of the greater availability of digital material. To put it another way, according to Ugah (2007), access to digital material through PCs like laptops, handhelds, and even mobile phones is hurting academic libraries' patronage. There have been substantial changes in the way lecturers utilise libraries in the 20^th century because of internet, digitalization, and remote access to research resources, according to Eguavoen (2011), who cites Ostrow (1998).

Most libraries in Nigeria are now engaged in the process of digitization. According to Gbaje (2007), the major goal of digitization is to make locally developed information resources more easily accessible to the general public. The ability to access a digital asset from any location is critical to its wide distribution. The digitization process does more than just provide remote access; it also creates digital substitutes for rare or delicate materials, reducing the harm that frequent physical handling causes. Library staff may use Intuitional Repository software to digitise their collection and include all the necessary information for simple access. First-generation institutions in Nigeria began using TINLIB software but were unable to continue owing to technical challenges, maintenance issues, a bad revision strategy, and expensive costs of processing and maintaining it," according to Obajemu, Osagie and Akinade and Ekere in ferguson. As a result of the findings and experiences mentioned above, the adoption of the Koha open-source integrated system was compelled by the use of Koha.

Methodology

The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study consists of all lecturers in the University of Benin, Benin city. A random sampling technique was utilised to select 200 lecturers. A selfconstructed online and print questionnaire were designed and distributed to collect the data from the respondents.

The online and print questionnaire were grouped into 4 clusters which included to; determine the available ICT projects implemented in John Harris library, University of Benin, find out the influence of retrospective conversion on the utilization of library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, University of Benin, determine the influence of digitization of records on utilisation of Library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, University of Benin and determine how the automation of Library routine influence the utilisation of Library resources by lecturers in John Harris library, University of Benin. A total of 191 respondents filled the online questionnaires, but 176 were valid and useful for analysis. The use of frequency count and percentages method of data analysis was adopted for the research work.

Discussion

Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

The sex distribution of the respondents shows that 98 (55.68%) of the respondents are male, while 78 (44.31%) are females. Age distributions of respondents shows that 51 (28.97%) of the respondents were between 25-35 years of age, 58 (32.95%) were between 36-45 years of age and 67 (38.07%) were between 46-55 years of age. Qualification distribution shows that 15 (8.52%) of the respondents were B.Sc. (Bachelors of Science) holders, 87 (49.43%) of the respondents were M.Sc. (Masters of Science) holders, 64 (36.36%) of the respondents were Ph. D (Doctorate degree) and 10 (5.68%) of the respondents were post Doctorate degree holders. Respondents ranks revealed that 10 (568%) of the respondents were on the rank Graduate Assistant, 64 (36.36%) of the respondents were on the rank of assistant lecturer, 50 (28.41%) of the respondents were on the rank lecturer II, 10 (5.68%) of the respondents were on the rank of lecturer I. 25 (14.20%) of the respondents were on the rank of senior lecturer, 14 (7.95%) of the respondents were on the rank of associate professor and 3 (1.70%) of the respondents were on the rank of professor.

Table 1 shows that 174 (99.18%) of the respondents agreed that e-book management software Calibri were not available in the library, 168 (95.76%) of the respondents agreed that online reference services and document delivery were not available in the library, 164 (93.48%) of the respondents agreed that e-Granary was not available in the library, 153 (87.21%) of the respondents agreed that digitization of non-digital information resources were not available in the library, 142 (80.94%) of the respondents agreed that digital literacy skills were not available in the library, 131 (74.67%) of the respondents agreed that computer and accessories (Printers, scanner, digital camera).

We’re not available in the library, 131 (74.67%) of the respondents agreed that reference management services (Zotero, Mendeley, biblio) were not available in the library, 120 (68.4%) of the respondents agreed that information commons were not available in the library, 100 (57%) of the respondents agreed that library management software (Koha) was not available in the library, 90 (51.3%) of the respondents agreed that library website was not available in the library.

This result disagree with that of Gbaje and Okojie in their study which revealed that digitization of information materials in libraries are the order of the day in other to preserve information from print deterioration and promote wide access. Tetfund statistics, showed that university libraries ICT facilities have been greatly improved with the allocation to the Library running to over 2.5 billion naira.

Table 2 shows that 93 (52.84%) of the respondents disagreed. That it provide information on the availability of library resources to be borrowed, 78 (44.31%) of the respondents disagreed that it enable and improve access to internal library resources and 78 (44.31%) disagreed that it enable and improve access to external library resources and databases.

How has retrospective conversion influence the utilization of the library resources by lecturers?

As a consequence, Omeluzor, et al., (2012), who argued that retrospective conversion is intended to improve library information items in print forms, were shown to be wrong. A related finding was the benefit of retroactively converting physical library materials, such as books, CDROMs, electronic journals, and e-books to electronic data bases and repository formats. In addition, these advancements have made library use more convenient in recent years. It also aids in the reduction of service delivery time wasted for library patrons.

According to breeding, retrospective conversion promotes library automation, since the information resources are in digital forms and have tendencies of been access by students remotely. Neelakandan, Duraisekar, Balasubramani, and Srinivasa Ragavan stated that for quick retrieval, dissemination of information, better services to the patrons and use of modern systems, retrospective conversion of information resources have become completely essential.

Table 3 shows that 98 (55.68%) of the respondents disagreed that digitization also helps to reduce time wastage in accessing and utilizing library services, 95 (53.97%) disagreed that it facilitate access to information literacy material on how to use the library resources, enable and improve access to external library resources and databases and 93 (52.84%) of the respondents disagreed that digitalisation of the library resources has increase my access use of library resources, 80 (45.45%) disagreed that digitization of library resources has reduced physical patronage of the library and 78 (44.31%) of the respondents disagreed that Digitization has help me have access to library resources remotely from my office or home.

What is the influence of digitization of records on utilisation of library resources?

Udo-Anyanwu, Jeff-Okafor, and Mbagwu studied the usage of library resources by students at Imo State University and Alvan Ikoku federal college of education and found this to be true. They categorised library resources into three basic categories: oral, print, and computerised. Student usage of the library is impacted by the fact that students in both libraries are more likely to use printed material rather than computerised information.

Students at covenant university use digital academic resources more than paper-based ones, contrary to what Yusuf and Iwu found in their statistical study. Their libraries are also being used more often as a result of this. In another research, Onuoha, Ikonne, and Madukoma found that postgraduate students put a higher value on digital books, internet access, and electronic journals than undergraduates did.

Table 4 revealed that 148 (84.09%) of the respondents agreed that digitization of Library resources impacted on printed books, while 173 (98.29%) of the respondents agreed that digitization of library resources has low impact on Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs), 172 (97.72) of the respondents agreed that digitization of library resources impacted has low impact on DVD/CDROM, 167 (94.88%) of the respondents agreed that digitization of library resources has low impact on Government Publications, 167 (94.88%) of the respondents agreed that digitalization of library resources has low impact on institutional repository, 160 (90.90%) of the respondents agreed that digitization of library resources has low impacted on reference resources (Encyclopaedia, world Map etc.), 157 (89.20%) of the respondents agreed that digitalization of library resources has low impact on e-books, 153 (86.93%) of the respondents agreed that digitalization of library resource has low impact on subscribed database (EBSCOHOST, PROQUEST, Science Direct, Agora), 148 (84.09%) of the respondents agreed that digitalization of library resources has low impact on print journals, 107 (60.79%) of the respondents agreed that digitalization of library resource has low impact on ejournal.

How has the digitization of library resources impacted on the utilization of the following information resources?

Print books, newspapers, and magazines were also determined to be the most frequently utilised information resources used by students by Hussain and Kumar, (2013). Oluwatobi, et al. (2014) found that the most commonly used library items were the online database followed by dictionaries, novels, and encyclopaedias that are utilised every day. In recent studies, print materials have proven to be under utilize as result of the impact of ICT.

Conclusion

Implementation of ICT projects and utilization of library resources is a key concern for libraries especially in universities in Nigeria. The essence is for improved library services especially in this age where ICT has proven to be a vehicle for information selection,acquisition, organisation, storage, dissemination and retrieval. Therefore, university libraries need to be actively involved in implementing ICT projects to promote utilization lecturers. Nevertheless, the findings of this study revealed that there were no available ICT projects implemented in John Harris library, University of Benin. This work revealed that retrospective conversion has no influence on the utilization of the library by users. The findings showed that there is no influence of digitalization of records on library resources by lecturers. Lastly, this study revealed that digitization of library resources has low impact on the utilization of information resources except printed books. In conclusion, there is need for the implementation of ICT projects in University libraries as well as the creation of awareness of such projects.

Recommendation

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made;

• Based on the findings that there are no available ICT projects in the university library, library management should develop and implement ICT projects to increase library patronage and to preserve information resources for future need.

• Based on the finding that retrospective conversion has no influence on the utilization of the library by lecturers, the library should create awareness on the availability of retrospective conversion.

• Based on the finding that there is no influence of digitalization of records on utilization of library resources by lecturers. The University library should create and develop a plan for dissemination of digitalised records.

• Based on the findings that digitalisation of library resources has low impact on the utilization of information resources, university library management should develop strategies to ensure that library staffs are trained on how to communicate the importance of digital library resources in this modern age.

• Based on this finding, there is need for University libraries to conduct user education for lecturers for improved patronage.

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