AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY APPLICATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES BY LIBRARY STAFF FOR ENHANCED SERVICE DELIVERY IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract

The study investigated the Awareness and Utilization of Library Application Software Package by Library Staff for Enhanced Service Delivery in University Libraries in Benue State. The study was guided by three objectives, three research questions, and two null hypothesis which were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The design for this study was a descriptive survey design. The population for the study comprises 247 library staff across four university libraries in Benue State. The sample size consisted of the entire population of 247library staff (63) professional staff and (184) paraprofessional staff. The instrument used for data collection was a constructed questionnaire/check list titled: Awareness and Utilization Library Application Software Packages by Library Staff for Enhanced Service Delivery in University Libraries Questionnaire (AULASPLSESDUSQ). The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by three experts. Two from library and information science and one from measurement and Evaluation department, all from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi. The instrument yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.87, indicating strong internal consistency. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation to answer research question while a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there are significant differences in the awareness and utilization of library application software packages by library staff. The study concluded that there is low awareness and utilization of library application software packages by library staff in university libraries under study which negatively affects service delivery. Finally, it was recommended that Awareness campaigns should be organized from time to time in order to create awareness of the available library application software packages for enhanced service delivery. Workshops and seminars should be organized to train library staff on the utilization of library application software packages for enhanced service delivery.