CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The use of computers and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and equipment information handling and processing has risen because of the increased workload involved in coping with information explosion. We are in an era where Information and Communication Technology remains one of the potent forces which is shaping the twenty-first (21st) century. In this information age, it is generally agreed that information is knowledge communicated. Thus, the essence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is its power to help individuals, libraries, information centres and societies achieve a greater access to knowledge and ideas for the benefit of humanity.

Every service-oriented industry in the world today sees the need for survival and success pegged on the importance of identifying, developing and retraining management/leadership talents among professional individuals who demonstrate the ability to marshal information for its comparative advantage. Faced with the global computerization and emerging fast changing information technologies, academic libraries are at the crossroads of information management and provision. Such information managers including librarians should constitute the generation of senior executives requiring skills and knowledge that will enable them cope with the changes in the information industry today (Shibanda, 2001).

The application of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the provision of library services in academic libraries in Nigeria is in tremendous progress due to the emergence of the digital age (Data, 2009). The university libraries have long been recognized as “the hearts” of their universities, and as the life-blood of higher educational institutions, have benefited tremendously from facilities provided by Information and Communication Technology (Ogunshola, 2009).

With the invention of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), libraries now use various types of technologies to aid the services they render. Computing technology, communication technology and mass storage technology are some of the areas of continuous development that reshape the way that libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate and disseminate information to users. The introduction of various Information Technology (IT) trends has led to re-organization, change in work patterns and demand for new skills, job retaining and re-classification positions.

Rana (2009) opines the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) holds the key to the success of modernizing information services (Knibu and Osawaru, 2011). Information and Communication Technology and electronic networking require skilled manpower to install and network. The demand for technology- literate staff’ in academic libraries has gone up (Dala, 2009). As a result, the modern day librarian has to acquire the needed ICT skills and competencies that will enable him/her perform his/her duties effectively.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has catapulted the world into an information driven society that relies on ideas and information (Salisu, 2002). This came about as a result of Globalization. Globalization is a concept developed during the 1970s. The concept brings countries into a global economic and industrial market in which they compete freely without economic or legal restrictions (Ademodi and Adepoju, 2009). The exponential growth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has caused socio-cultural, political, educational and economic changes. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has engendered a new approach to work and service delivery, and is a technological development that has come, changed work and job expectations (Salisu, 2002).

Information and Communication Technology (1CT) has collapsed barriers and promoted fast communication and interactions across boundaries. Hence, the need for a sound mind with the ability to produce sound responses under pressure is essential to meet the daily responsibilities and challenge of life. The need to meet these basic challenges and responsibilities has also informed the invention and use of Information and Communication Technologies (Ademodi and Adepoju, 2009).

The issue of skill acquisition and competencies in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is significant particularly in the information age in which we find ourselves. Librarians must acquire competence to be relevant in their profession, in which nearly all the roles and responsibilities are performed with the use of ICT facilities, e.g. the computer. There are still librarians who are not literate in the use of these ICT facilities and who are deficient in the skills needed to operate the various Information and Communication Technologies (Ademodi and Adepoju, 2009). Librarians in many academic libraries in Nigeria still carry out library routines and functions manually, and the few available computers and ICT facilities in most libraries are used for administrative purposes (Ademodi and Adepoju, 2009). These instances proffer for the acquisition of the necessary skills and competencies by librarians in Academic librarians and the level of ICT implementation En these libraries. All these issues prompted the researcher to investigate on the ICT skills and competencies among librarians in Academic libraries, with reference of John Harris library, University of Benin, Edo State.

1.3 Research Questions

In the course of conducting this study, the following research questions will be considered;

1. What are the available Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in John Harris library?
2. For what purposes do librarians use ICT facilities in John Harris library?
3. To what extent are librarians skilful in the use of these ICT facilities?
4. What are the factors that militate against the acquisition of the ICT skills by librarians?

1.4 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the ICT skills and competencies among librarians in academic libraries, with reference to John Harris library, University of Benin, Edo State.

The specific purposes of this study are to:

1. Identify the available ICT facilities in the John Harris library
2. Examine the uses to which librarians put these ICT facilities
3. Ascertain the level of skilfulness of the librarians in academic librarians
4. Investigation the constraints that militate against the acquisition of ICT skills by librarians in academic libraries

1.5 Significance of the Study

The essence of this study is a follows:

1. It is expected to provide a basis for comprehensive information on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and competencies needed by librarians in Academic libraries.
2. The study will also establish the existing gaps in the acquisition and possession of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and competencies by librarians and in the operation of academic libraries in achieving their statutory functions.
3. The findings of this study will serve as a blue print for libraries, information managers/information scientists, researchers, lecturers, students and teachers to chart the right course of action for the need and acquisition of ICT skills and competencies in furthering education through policy formulation and implementation.
4. This study will also serve as a reference material for any student willing to conduct similar or related research.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study tends to point out the importance and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its facilities on academic library operations, as well as its uses in these academic libraries. It also takes a look at the needed ICT skills and competencies among librarians and the factors militating against the acquisition of ICT skills by library staff.

As a result of these, the study will cover the library staff on John Harris library, University of Benin, Edo State. These library staff will comprise of those with a first degree in library science or library and information science, and those with first degrees in other disciplines and a diploma or post graduate degrees in library science or library and information science, as well as those with Masters Degree and diplomas in library science, library and information science or other disciplines.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

To understand this study, the following terms are being defined:

Information: Information can be defined as any potentially useful fact that is capable of causing a human mind to change its opinion about the current state of an event of idea.

Information and Communication Technology: This, otherwise known as ICT, is an umbrella term, which is used to define any technology that is involved in the generation, analysis, manipulation, storage and dissemination of information, as well as the design and provision of equipment and software for these purposes.

Academic Library: An academic library is a library established, owned and funded by a tertiary institution of learning which they are part, to fulfil their mission of supporting the educational obligations of their parent bodies.

Skill: A skill can be defined as the ability to do something well; a particular ability or type of ability.

Competency: This refers to a skill that one needs in a particular job or for a particular task.

Librarian: A librarian is a professional who is responsible for the acquisition, organization, storage, processing and dissemination of information bearing materials in a library, who with a degree in library science or library and information science.