Uses Of The Internet Facilities By Librarians

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The imperativeness of information to humans across the world cannot be over-emphasized. It is one thing for information to be available and another for people to have quick and easy access to them. The universal technology that facilitates such access is the internet. The internet can simply be defined as the network of networks of computers. It is therefore an international network of information networks. The internet is a self-governing global network that joins together millions of individuals, commercial and nonprofit organizations. It is changing our lives in remarkable ways, becoming more central to librarians and libraries with each passing year. It widens its hold on librarians’ everyday routines-from delivering documents and purchasing books to searching database as well as delivering distance education [Ubegu, 2015] It is one thing for the internet to be regarded as very vital to human existence, and another to ask if people (especially librarians) make optimal use of the technology especially in this age of globalization. This study therefore investigates the uses of the internet facilities by librarians

1.2 Statement of problem 

Many of the library services in university libraries in Nigeria are delivered manually and the delivery of these services through traditional means has been cumbersome and time-wasting. Traditional library services restrict users to the available resources available within the library collections only. Moreover, access to information is limited to print resources and this places the patrons at disadvantage with limited information resources. There is no doubt that the traditional library and information services need improvement as a result of its limitations and inadequacies. There is need for re-designing the services to meet the demands of their users and remain relevant and retain their place as information providers in this technology age. The inadequacies of traditional library services prompted university libraries to adopt information and communication technologies in library services. This study, therefore,investigated the uses of the internet facilities by librarians uses of the internet facilities by librarians.

1.3 Objectives of the study 

The general objectives of the study is to examine the uses of the internet facilities by librarians uses of the internet facilities by librarians. The specific objectives is as follows:

1. To find out the frequency of use of internet facilities for service delivery by librarians

2. To find out the extent that librarians  deliver services using the internet facilities. 

3. To examine the challenges librarians face in using the internet to provide services.

4. To investigate the internet resources mostly used by the librarians in the university libraries

1.4 Scope of the study 

The study will  find out the frequency of use of internet facilities for service delivery by librarians. The study will also find out the extent that librarians  deliver services using the internet facilities. Furthermore, the study will investigate the internet resources mostly used by the librarians in the university libraries. Lastly, the study will examine the challenges librarians face in using the internet to provide services. Hence, this study will be delimited to Federal university of technology Akure , Ondo State.

1.5 Significance of the study 

This study is significant as the findings would help librarians to develop strategies that would guide them in the use of social media for library services. Library management in university libraries especially university libraries in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria would find the findings helpful in deciding on the kinds of social media to utilize. Moreover, the findings could be used by library administrators to organize regular training programmes to train librarians with the latest development in web technologies.

1.6 Research questions 

The following questions have been prepared for the study

1. What is the frequency of use of internet facilities for service delivery by librarians?

2. What is the extent that librarians  deliver services using the internet facilities? 

3. what are the challenges librarians face in using the internet to provide services.

4. What are the internet resources mostly used by the librarians in the university libraries

1.7 Definition of terms 

Internet:  a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

Librarians: a person in charge of or assisting in a library.

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