Digital Competencies of Librarians in University Libraries in Nigeria

Main Article Content

Kolawole Francis Ogunbodede Imade Adebayo Atchrimi

Abstract

The study examined the digital competencies of librarians in university libraries in south-south Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 200 librarians in university libraries in south-south Nigeria. An online survey was used to collect data, and 109 responded to the online survey. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. The findings showed that librarians have a high level of basic digital competence skills and that they employ various methods to acquire digital skills. Inconsistent power supply, poor ICT facilities, lack of ICT training opportunities, high cost of ICT literacy training, lack of sponsorship, and overload of working hours were some of the challenges faced by librarians in acquiring digital skills. The test of hypothesis showed there is a statistically significant difference in the level of digital competence of librarians by gender in favour of the male. The researchers recommended that university libraries, library associations, and university management should provide in-house training for librarians and also provide financial support to attend workshops to continue to improve their digital skills.

Article Details

How to Cite
OGUNBODEDE, Kolawole Francis; ADEBAYO ATCHRIMI, Imade. Digital Competencies of Librarians in University Libraries in Nigeria. Zambia Journal of Library & Information Science (ZAJLIS ), ISSN: 2708-2695, [S.l.], v. 8, n. 1, p. 9-13, june 2024. ISSN 2708-2695. Available at: <https://zajlis.unza.zm/index.php/journal/article/view/132>. Date accessed: 07 sep. 2024.
Section
Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs)

References

Adepoju, O. D. (2020). Supporting academic libraries in the Covid-19 era. Available at web.aflia.net/webinar-
supporting-academic libraries-in-thecovid19-era/
Emiri O. T. (2017). “Digital literacy skills among librarians in university libraries in the 21st century in
Edo and Delta states, Nigeria”. International Journal of Library and Information Services, 6 (1), 37-52.
Endouware, B. C., & Dushu, T. Y. (2021). “An investigation of the level of digital literacy skills possessed by
academic librarians in Nigerian universities”. World Journal of Innovative Research, 10(2), 01-08.
European Union (2018). Dig Comp: The European digital competence framework. Available at
https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/digcomp/digcomp-framework_en
George, T. M., Okwu, E., & Ogunbodede, K. F., (2022). “Digital literacy and job performance of librarians
in Rivers State university libraries”. Library Philosophy and Practice (e- journal), 7011. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7011
Hamad, F., Al-Fadel, M., & Fakhouri, H. (2020). “The effect of librarians’ digital skills on technology
acceptance in academic libraries in Jordan”. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620966644
Izuagbe, R., Ibrahim, N. A., Ogiamien, L. O. et al. (2019). “Effect of perceived ease of use on librarians’ e-
skills: Basis for library technology acceptance intention”. Library & Information Science Research, 41(3), 100969.
Khan, S. A., & Bhatti, R. (2017). “Digital competencies for developing and managing digital libraries”. The
Electronic Library, 35(3), 573-597.
Mulat, T., & Natarajan, M. (2020). “Digital literacy skills among library professionals at Jimma University
Libraries”. Library Philosophy and Practice, 4629. Available at https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4629
Oguche, D. (2017). “Assessment of staff ICT literacy competence in Nigerian federal university libraries”.
Information Impact, 8(2), 77-89. Available at https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v8i2.7
Ogunbodede, K. F., Idubor, I., Ivwighreghweta, O. (2020). “Use of electronic and print resources among
lecturers in two private universities in south-south Nigeria”. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, 4(1). Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342978514
Okeji, C. C., Tralagba, E. C., & Obi, I. C. (2019). “An investigation of the digital literacy skills and
knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Nigeria”. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 69, (4/5), 311-330. Available at https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-05-2019-0054
Osinulu, L. F. (2021). “Digital literacy competencies among library officers in state and federal universities in
Ogun State, Nigeria”. World Libraries, 25(1). Available at https://worldlibraries.dom.edu/index.php/worldlib/article/download/593/681
Sambo, A. S., Imran, A. A., & Akanbi, M. L. (2022). “Digital literacy skills among certified librarians in
Nigerian libraries: Library overview”. Journal of Digital Learning and Education, 2(2), 70-79.
Ukwoma, S. C., Iwundu, N.E., & Iwundu, I. E. (2016). “Digital literacy skills possessed by students of UNN,
implications for effective learning and performance: A study of the MTN Universities Connect Library”. New Library World, 117(11/12), 702-720. Available at https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-08-2016-0061