Information Literacy Skills and Perceptions of Librarians in Colleges of Education in Nigeria

Abstract

Information literacy training has become an important role for librarians in the 21^st Century. However to function effectively as information literacy instructors, librarians need to have good perceptions towards the service and also possess the requisite skills to pass on. The research assessed the perceptions and information literacy skills of librarians in Colleges of Education in Nigeria. It also sought to determine challenges to effective information literacy skills acquisition and services in these institutions. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed to librarians in 39 Colleges of Education in the six geo-political zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A total of 87 useable copies of the questionnaire were returned. Results showed that generally respondent have a positive view of librarians’ roles and capabilities in information literacy services. Respondents scored their skills highest on locating skills in the use of library catalogues, encyclopedias, indexes, and abstracts to find information. However, respondents rated their skills lowest on ability to carry out search using Boolean operators and ability to use appropriate presentation software to present information.  Non provision of facilities needed to apply information literacy skills and regulatory bodies on library and information science do not regulate curriculum on information literacy are some of the major challenge that inhibits Information literacy skills acquisition and programme development in the institutions. The study concludes that there is need for IL standards that will guide information literacy development in Nigerian Colleges of Education.

Keywords: Information Literacy, Professional skills, Librarians’ perceptions, Academic Librarians,  College of Education