DETERMINANTS OF SOFTWARE ADOPTION AND USE FOR AUTOMATION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARY IN ANAMBRA AND EBONYI STATE

DETERMINANTS OF SOFTWARE ADOPTION AND USE FOR AUTOMATION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARY IN ANAMBRA AND EBONYI STATE

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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

There are large amount of information being generated on daily basis and it is the duty of Librarians to make these information accessible to users. Information processing and services has change from the traditional ways of handling information and there is a need for library to meet up with the new ways of processing materials and meet the diverse information needs of users (Sharma, 2019). Today, the emphasis is on information access; libraries must ensure that users are able to access information with ease and without waste of time (Muniraj, 2021). The traditional methods of processing, storing and disseminating information can no longer satisfy users’ needs because they now have access to the internet and if libraries and librarians are not careful, the huge crowd in the library will reduce drastically and librarians will be out of job(Otubelu, 2015). As a result Librarians cannot be indifferent to the changes brought to library operations and services through automation. For libraries to perform their functions of supporting the institutions learning and research and provide access to quality academic information to both staff and students, automation of library operations and services is inevitable(Otubelu, 2017). It is no gain saying that automation of library operations and services saves both the library staff as well as users’ time. In Integrated Library Software, once a book is entered through acquisitions modules, same data can be used in cataloguing and circulation. This saves the time of cataloguers as only the physical descriptions, subject headings and the call mark would be added, all the data entered through acquisitions and cataloguing modules can be access by users from Online Public Access Catalogue (Muniraj, 2021). The OPAC saves time of users in that within seconds they can access library records unlike the traditional card catalogue which is cumbersome. At circulation, it is just to scan the barcode of the book into patron’s account while due date are automatically generated and book is issue to the borrowers(Nwosu, 2020). In spite of all the benefit automation brought to libraries, some libraries are still struggling with the implementation of automation process while some are not even considering it at all. It is against this backdrop that this study is conducted to unveil the determinants of software adoption and use for automation in academic library in Anambra And Ebonyi State.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There are several services that libraries and by extension academic libraries like Nnamdi Azikiwe University library render to users, these services ranges from physical services to digital services(Nwosu, 2020). Before the advent of ICT, library services were operated with a traditional Integrated Library Management System (ILMS), but as technology advanced, library resources and certain services began to assume a new look of expansion; the use of automation came in and many libraries began to appropriate it in the services they render through. In this period of great technological growth, innovations, and the adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT), the level of automation grew and with this, the services of the library are broadened. As Otubelu (2017) noted, “the advent of ICTs has completely transformed libraries and information centres. They have emerged as early adopters of new technologies, software and act as service points for access to digital libraries. This has also helped the library to reach a wider user coverage and by so doing improved the value of its resources”. In line with Akanwa and UdoAnyanwu (2017) who noted that library has taken a new connotation because of the advent of new technologies in the library. Baro, Eze & Nkanu (2016) posited that information professionals have a crucial role to play in guiding and training users to help them find and use high-quality (both free and purchased) e-resources.

“Library Automation is a process, which involves linking computers electronically within and outside the institution, entering library resources in a database to create an Open Access Catalogue, which allows users to access and retrieve information in a timely manner”, (NkhomaWamunza, 2022). Library automation is one of the digital services that an academic library offers, and it is a crucial part of a digital library because, it creates a platform for users to discover and access a library’s E-resources, such as books, journals, periodicals, textbooks etc. Library automation as well reduces the workload of library staff, because of the computerized services it renders to users.

The adoption of a automated library in libraries in Nigeria is still in progress, this is because of the challenges that come with running a digital library, as well as the late adoption of ICT in libraries in Nigeria. Therefore, there is a problem of lack of and/or up-to-date library automation in academic libraries in Nigerian Universities at large. In most academic libraries in Nigeria such as Nnamdi Azikiwe Library of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Kenneth Dike Library of University of Ibadan, Federal University of Technology Owerri Library and some others, there is a quality automation of resources and services to a reasonable extent, while in some, the level of automation of resources and services is less encouraging. This implies that the culture of library automation is dully practiced in some academic libraries in Nigeria to retain the relevance of the library and to ensure that the available resources are not under-utilized. While some other academic libraries experience the problem of how efficient, solution-based, and up to date their library automation is.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The broad aim of this study is to examine the determinants of software adoption and use for automation in academic library in Anambra And Ebonyi State. The specific objectives are to:

1. Assess the software program available to academic libraries.
2.  Assess the need for the adoption of software in an academic libraries.
3. Ascertain the use of library automation in academic libraries.
4. Ascertain the factors that influence the choice of library software packages in academic libraries.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

This study will be guided by the following questions as related to the topic of study.

1. What are software programs available to academic libraries?
2. What is the need for the adoption of software programs in an academic library needful?
3. What is the use of library automation in academic libraries?
4. What are the factors that influence the choice of library automation and software packages in academic libraries?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Ho1: There is no adequate use of software in academic libraries.

Ho2: The academic libraries are not adequately automated.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be useful to schools and other academic institutions which are yet adopt library software in their respective libraries. Hence, the study will apprise them on the essentials of software usage in their respective libraries, the available software for the libraries, the challenges associated with the use of the software packages in academic libraries and possible solutions to the challenges. More so, this study will serve as a source of information to ever student or researcher who may be carrying out a study on related topic.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study generally examines the determinants of software adoption and use for automation in academic library in Anambra And Ebonyi State using Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Ebonyi state university as a case study, hence the study covers assessing the software program available to academic libraries, the need for the adoption of software in an academic libraries, ascertaining the factors that influence the choice of library software packages in academic libraries, and finding out the challenges associated with the use of the packages. The librarians in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Ebonyi state university.

1.7  LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Certain factors could possibly hamper and affect the success of this research project. Not enough time, funds, materials, too large a distance to be covered, might not allow for a very elaborate study to be conducted. Hence, the study might be of less meaning compared to its significance in order to save time, cost, effort and reduce stress.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Library: a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.

Library Automation

Library automation is the computerization of library activities especially the housekeeping activities such as acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials control etc.

Application Software Packages: The sequence of instructions that tell the computer what to do,how to manipulate data and how to relate to users. It normally addresses one aspect of computing need or the other. Most of the “off – the- shelf-software” (i.e the readily available software) for micro computers is referred to as “application software”.

1.10 Organization of Chapters

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the  review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study,  sample size determination,  sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

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