Project Materials

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Technology has proven to be the major driver of knowledge, research and innovation, and information and communication technology has become the most impacting variables of the present information society.

The term ICT is a combination of interconnected hardware and software with peripheral equipment that are programmed for convenience information transfer (Qutab, Bhatti, & Ullah, 2014). It additionally covers web access arrangement, information innovation hardware and administrations, media and broadcasting, library and documentation centers, network based information administrations and other related communication exercises (Anie & Achugbue, 2009).

Today, it is very obvious that, the use of information and communication technology system in all areas of human endeavor is now known and widely acceptable. In library set up, information and communication technology is used to manage one or several library routine services such as acquisition, serial control, cataloguing and classification and the on-line public access catalogue (OPAC).

University libraries in Nigeria, according to Akintunde (2006), naturally display different stages of development in structure and information service delivery to their clients, to meet the millennium developmental target in the area of ICT as enunciated in West African Information system (WAIS) agenda.

Within this context and setting, ICT is defined as electronic gadgets that are used to gather, process, store, retrieve and disseminate or transmit information for the purpose of teaching, learning and research. ICT has brought profound improvement in every aspect of academic library operations particularly in resources building planning, reference and information services and collaboration.

It presents the library a chance to offer some benefit added information services and access to various forms of electronic information materials to their clients. Additionally, academic libraries are in like manner using current ICTs to modernize their main services, adopt strong and ingenious cooperation and consortia, “implement management information systems, create institutional stores of digitized local contents, and conceived computerized assets: and start ICT based capacity building programs for library users:” and library users orientation.

ICT has conveyed remarkable transformations and innovation to academic library and information services, popular Library and Information housekeeping services, for example, OPAC, user services, reference and information services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, resource sharing etc., can be conducted productively and adequately with ICT, as it offers effective, quicker, less costly services in a short time with active participation of the user in information services.

The effect of ICT is obvious on information benefits through changes in types, substance and technique for generation and in addition to conveyance of information items. Development of web as the biggest storehouse of information and learning has changed parts of library and information science experts from mediator to facilitators, provide improved instruments for information transmission, and transform most conventional library services to a web based information services.

Availability and utilization of ICT facilities are preceded by user’s ICT skills, available tools and facilities which enables them to take advantage of ICT and satisfy their information need. It has been established through literature that ICT components such as computers, Internet, e-mail and CD-ROMs are relevant in the delivery of information services in libraries and information centers (Gilbert, 2016; Owolabi, S., Idowu, Okocha, & Ogundare, 2016).

The duty of the library is bound to acquire, preserve, retrieve and disseminate information, a literacy-based facility and with inherent obligation to provide information services to support the education, research, recreational, personal, cultural and economic endeavors of patrons.

The library undertake strenuous efforts to collect, acquire, process and make resources available to its users and also ensure appropriate ways leading to access and retrieval of these information resources.

The collections are predominantly in all fields of agronomy, crop protection, farming systems, extension, rural development, sociology, animal science, plant breeding, plant physiology, soil science and agricultural economics. Other subjects available comprised biology, geography, statistics, economics, librarianship, governance and administration, photography, to mention but few.

This are all tailored to facilitate the library to promote effective service delivery and also be opportune to evaluate collection development, complexities, information needs and the expectation of users especially with the challenges of digital technologies.

The classification of its information resources is faceted thereby expressing all the significant features in a resource enabling different access points, this informed the choice of Universal Decimal Classification and the sheaf catalogue before the migration to utilization of the computer for library operations.

The library still maintains the UDC but all its resources can also be access via the Open Access Catalogue from different terminals within the library. Huge funds have been expended to procure and sustain the library’s electronic resources which comprise LanTEEAL, electronic databases, on-line data bases, e-books on CD-ROMs, and rapid computers and network technologies that provide access to other libraries resources.

This all embracing frontier of electronic resources is challenging even as the library move more towards knowledge-counseling role, advisory roles in locating and effectively coaching, interaction and utilizing resources as it affect the library effective dissemination of information. This study therefore assessed the efficacy of information communication technologies in the dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Information services in the libraries, especially the academic have experienced innovations due largely to application of ICT and other electronic devices in most library housekeeping and information services.

Also, growth in knowledge with its attendant impact in teaching and learning as well as research has increased the need to employ ICT to expedite action regarding these services. Notwithstanding the advantages, most libraries are still struggling to tap into these opportunities provided by ICT towards users’ satisfaction.

The library under study has provided good number of computers, OPAC, PowerPoint projectors in addition to internet services, personal observation showed that the users are yet to take full advantage of these facilities for research studies and learning. It is against this background the study determines the efficacy of information communication technologies in the dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine the efficacy of information communication technologies in the dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. 1. To examine the adequacy, availability and accessibility of information communication technologies in dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library.

1. 1. To examine the specific factors that promoted or hindered the application of ICT in Adamawa state library.

1. 1. To examine the impact of information communication technologies on dissemination of information resources in the library.

1. 1.  To examine the benefits of information communication technology application in dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library.

1. 1. To examine the relationship between information communication technologies and dissemination of information resources in the library

1. 1. To examine the use and awareness of electronic information resources among the users and make suggestions for better dissemination of information resources and services in Adamawa state library
      1. 1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

       

1. 1. What is the adequacy, availability and accessibility of information communication technologies in dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library?

1. 1. What are the specific factors that promoted or hindered the application of ICT in Adamawa state library?

1. 1. What is the impact of information communication technologies on dissemination of information resources in the library?

1. 1.  What are the benefits of information communication technology application in dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library?

1. 1. What is the relationship between information communication technologies and dissemination of information resources in the library?

1. 1. What are the use and awareness of electronic information resources among the users and make suggestions for better dissemination of information resources and services in Adamawa state library?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1      

H0: There is no significant impact of information communication technologies on dissemination of information resources in the library.

H1: There is a significant impact of information communication technologies on dissemination of information resources in the library.

Hypothesis 2

H0: There is no significant relationship between information communication technologies and dissemination of information resources in the library.

H1: There is a significant relationship between information communication technologies and dissemination of information resources in the library.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will equip the current and future executive officers and staffs of Adamawa state library as well as those interested in its affairs with adequate information on the evolution of the library and thereby enable them to be focused in the pursuit of its founding objectives and the challenges it faces at the present time.

The study would also be of immense benefit to students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on the subject matter.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the efficacy of information communication technologies in the dissemination of information resources in Adamawa state library.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

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)

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

INFORMATION: As a representation of knowledge, Information is stored knowledge. Traditionally the storage medium has been books, but increasingly electronic media are becoming important. Information as data in the environment Information can be obtained from a range of environmental stimuli and phenomena;

not all of which are intended to ‘convey’ a message, but which can be informative when appropriately interpreted. Information as a resource or commodity Information is transmitted in a message from sender to receiver. The receiver interprets the message as intended by the sender. There may be added value as the information is disseminated or exchanged.

ICT: Stands for “Information and Communication Technologies.” ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. Social networking websites like Facebook allow users from all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis.

Library: (from French “librairie”; Latin “liber” = book) is an organized collection of resources made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both.

A library’s collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and other formats.