Effect of Library Automation on Performance of Librarians in Private Universities in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

This study focuses on effect of library automation on the performance of librarians in South-West, Nigeria.

The survey research design was used. The population of the study was 349 librarians from 22 private university libraries in South-West Nigeria. 272 copies of the questionnaire were returned giving a return rate of 80.1%. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings revealed that out of the six library services identified in this study, five were fully automated and 90% of the private university libraries have automated their services. From the findings, librarians’ performance had been increased by 70% as a result of automated library in private universities in South West Nigeria. The study showed that there was significant and positive relationship between library automation and librarians’ performance in private university libraries (r =.372, p<.01).

This study concluded that most private university libraries in South-West Nigeria were fully automated which allowed librarians to increase the quality of services rendered. Library service automation contribute greatly to librarians performance in private universities in South-West Nigeria. This study recommended that university library managers need to further enlighten both the library staff and library users on the importance of library automation by organizing workshops, seminars and conferences in order to meet the current information needs of users.

Keywords: Library automation, Librarians, Librarians’ performance and Private universities

DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-5-01

Publication date:May 31^st 2019