TRENDS FOR LIBRARY MANAGEMENT IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study examined trends for library management in private and public universities in Enugu state. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study is 110 professional librarians consisting of 28 from private universities and 82 from public universities. Census sampling was adopted since the population is manageable. Therefore, the sample size is 110. A 16-item researcher-made questionnaire titled: “Trends for Library Management in Private and Public Universities Questionnaire (TLMPPUQ),” was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was face-validated by three research experts, and had overall reliability of 0.73 which was ascertained with Cronbach Alpha. The research questions were answered with mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested with z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings among others was that Internet of Things is adopted for the collection of data between devices, exchange of data between devices, improving the user experience, improving efficiency in library management and automating library management processes; however, the extent to which it is adopted for streamlining library operations is low. Electronic resources management is adopted for the maintaining track of crucial data regarding electronic information resources, cataloging management and technological support. However, the extent of adoption for contract management and evaluation of materials is low. Mobile-based library services are adopted for library management in private and public universities in Enugu State, but to a low extent. The respondents were of the views that mobile-based library services are adopted only for granting access to library collections. It has not been adopted for other services like improving proxy access to library materials, due day reminder, multimedia lending notification, and overdue notification service. It was recommended amongst others that University libraries in Enugu and Nigerian generally should be upgraded to be able to significantly adopt the use of Internet of Things for library management as to enhance library services and improve users’ experience.