Use of Smart Phone among Para-Professional Librarians in Olabisi Onabanjo University Library, Nigeria

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate how para-professional librarians (Library Officers cadre and only Assistant Library Officers) in Olabisi Onabanjo University (O.O.U) Library, Nigeria used smart phone to embrace academic library services. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data for the study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study revealed that all the library paraprofessional staff had and used smart phones for personal, official and library services, but the use for library services and routines (across the items for library services) were on a lower side. The study further revealed that gender of para-professional librarians does not influence smart phone use amongst other findings. The study thus recommended provision of good telecommunication facilities, integration of full mobile library applications and services into academic library functions and services and training of library staff for effective deployment of phone use for library services amongst others.

Keywords: Library Services, Mobile Phones Use, Nigerian Para-Professional Librarians, Smart Phone Use, Smart Phone Use for Library Services, New Media.