Institutional Support, E-Readiness and Digital Reference Service Delivery by Librarians in University Libraries, Oyo State
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2022-12
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Lead City University
Abstract
The advent of Technology has brought changes in the provision of university library services one of which is Digital reference services (DRS). However, effective Digital reference services (DRS) delivery may be difficult to achieve without digital readiness and an adequate level of institutional support for academic libraries. The study, therefore, examined the influence of institutional support and e-readiness on the delivery of Digital Reference Services (DRS) by University Libraries in Oyo state. The study adopted a mixed method approach, the population of the study is 65 comprised of librarians in 10 universities, Oyo State Nigeria and a total enumeration sampling method was used. A structured questionnaire and structured interview guide were used to gather data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data analysis while the interview was also analysed and interpreted using thematic content analysis. The test of hypotheses shows that e-readiness (ß=0.414, t=3.612, p<0.05) and institutional support (ß=0.654, t=6.858, p<0.05) respectively influence effective DRS delivery. However, it was found that only institutional support (ß=0. 925, t=5.467, p>0.05) has a joint influence on DRS delivery while e-readiness of librarians (ß=0.203, t =1.224, p<0.05) does not have a joint influence. The findings of the qualitative discussion showed that the libraries render both asynchronous and synchronous digital references. However, there is a lack of adequate staff to provide DRS, irregular power supply and internet connection. The study concluded that digital reference service delivery is still at the elementary stage in the libraries studied but there are signs of further progress due to the availability of institutional support and the e-readiness of librarians. The study, therefore, recommended continuing personnel development to ensure effective digital reference services.
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Digital Reference Services, E-readiness, Institutional Support, Reference Services.
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Kate Turabian