Adoption of web-based reference services by private university libraries in kwara state, nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated the adoption of web-based reference services by private university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: (i). identify the benefits of web-based reference services in private university libraries in Kwara Sate; (ii). ascertain the extent of adoption of web based reference services by private university libraries in Kwara Sate; (iii) identify the nature of web-based reference services adopted by private university libraries in Kwara Sate; and (iv) investigate the problems affecting the use of web based reference services in private university libraries in Kwara Sate. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 5,138 registered library users of Al-Hikmah University Library, Ilorin and Landmark University Library, Omu-Aran, Kwara state. A sample size of 348 users was selected using proportional sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of this study revealed that library users derive numerous benefits from the use of web-based reference services. The finding also revealed that private university libraries in Kwara State have adopted web-based reference services to a high extent. It further revealed that technical problems, Internet network problem, lack of co-operation and coordination on both parts of users and staff and late answer to questions were the major problems affecting the use of web-based reference service. The study recommended that library management should address all constraints affecting the use of web-based reference services
References
Bhatnagar, A. (2005). Web based library services.3rd convention PLANNER-2005. Ahmedabad: Assam University.
Chandwani, A. (2018). An overview of Digital Reference Services. eprints.rclis.org. Retrieved from http://eprints.rclis.org/14295/1/DIGITAL_REFERENCE_SERV ICES.pdf
Chow, S. & Croxton, R. E. (2013). A usability evaluation of academic virtual reference service.
Retrieved from http://crl.acrl.org/content/early/2013/02/06/crl13-408.short.
Damilola, A. B., Okesanya, R. O. Abiodun, O. J. & Kusoro, A. (2019). Use of mobile technology for the provision of reference services in Nigeria university libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2902.
Ekwelem, V. O., Okpala, H. N., Igbokwe, J. C. & Ekwelem, C. N. (2018). Evaluation of online reference services: Reflections from Nigeria academic libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac.
Kim, Y. M. & Abbas, J. (2010). Adoption of library 2.0 functionalities by academic libraries and users: A knowledge management perspective. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 36 (3), 211-218.
Madhusudhan, M., & Nagabushnam, V. (2012). Use of web based library services in select university libraries in India: A study. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 2 (1). Retrieved from http://ijlis.org/img/2012_2_issue_1/1_20.pdf.
Madukoma, E. (2015). Users‟ perception of electronic reference services in Babcock University Library, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. IFLA. 1-14.
Malik, A. and Mahmood, K. (2014). Readiness for digital reference service (DRS) in university libraries: a survey in the Punjab, Pakistan. Information Development, 30(1), 181 – 188.
Nicholas, P. (2011). Creating a digital reference agenda for academic libraries in Jamaica: An exploratory case study. Libri, 61(1), 258 – 280.
Nicol, E. C. & Crook, L. (2013). Now it‟s Necessary: virtual reference services at Washington State University, Pullman. The journal of academic Librarianship, 39 (2), 161-168.
Nishal, K. (2016). Web- based services in library and information science. International Journal of Next Generation Library and Technologies, 2(1), 1-8. www.ijnglt.com
Qobose, E. & Mologanyi, B. (2015). Evaluating virtual reference service at University of Botswana Library: A case study of Question Point. IFLA WLIC: Cape Town
Sangale, D. B. (2015). ICT application and web based services in library and information science. ASM’s International E-Journal on ongoing research in Management and IT, 10(1), 9-14.
Sharma, S. (2004). Digital reference service. DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 24(6), 11-18. Retrieved from http://publications.drdo.gov.in/ojs/index.php/djlit/article/viewF.
Xu, C. Ouyang, F. & Chu, H. (2009). The academic library meets web 2.0: Applications and implications. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 35(4), 324–31.
Uzoigwe, C. & Eze, J. U. (2018). Nicholas, P. (2011). The perceived benefits of electronic/digital reference services in Nigerian university libraries: A survey. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 8(2), 49-65.
Schiller, S. Z. (2016). Chat for chat: Mediatied learning in online chat virtual Reference Services. Computer in Humambehavior, 651-665.
Su, S. & Kuo, J. (2010). Design and development of web-based information literacy tutorials. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 36(4), 320–28 Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258406799_use_of_webbased_library_services_in_select_university_libraries_in_india_a_study
Yang, S.Q. & Dalal, H. A. (2014). Delivering Virtual Reference Services on the Web: An Investigation into the Current Practice by Academic Libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41 (1), 68-86.
Copyright (c) 2021 Kennedy Arebamen Eiriemiokhale, Mosunmade Opeoluwa Oloruntola, Stanley Omondiale Unuabor, Mohammed Dolapo Abdulrasheed
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In submitting the manuscript to the International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE), the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- The publication has been approved by the author(s) and by responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
License and Copyright Agreement
Authors who publish with International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE) agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE) right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors can enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the International Journal on Integrated Education (IJIE) published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or edit it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.