Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has revolutionized the way Nigerian public academic libraries operate and provide services to their users. This research aims to explore the impact of ICT on Nigerian public academic libraries, focusing on how it has transformed library services, resources, and user experiences. The study will investigate the adoption of ICT in these libraries, the challenges faced, and the benefits realized. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and case studies to gather data from various public academic libraries across Nigeria. The data collected will be analyzed to identify common trends, challenges, and success stories related to the implementation of ICT in these libraries. Findings from the study are expected to reveal the significant role ICT plays in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public academic libraries in Nigeria. The research will highlight how ICT has improved access to information resources, facilitated online research, and enhanced user services such as digital lending, virtual reference services, and remote access to library resources. Moreover, the study will investigate how ICT has influenced the skills and competencies required by library staff to effectively manage digital resources and provide support to library users. It will also explore the impact of ICT on library infrastructure, including the need for adequate ICT facilities, internet connectivity, and digital preservation strategies. The research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of ICT on Nigerian public academic libraries, offering insights into best practices, challenges, and opportunities for further development in this area. The findings will be valuable for library administrators, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in the advancement of library services and information access in Nigeria. In conclusion, this research will shed light on the transformative power of ICT in Nigerian public academic libraries, demonstrating how technology has revolutionized traditional library services and enhanced the overall user experience. By understanding the impact of ICT on library operations, stakeholders can make informed decisions to further improve and innovate library services in the digital age.

Thesis Overview

*INTRODUCTION*

With the invention of Information and Communication Technology, libraries now use various types of technologies to aid the services they render. Everyday new technological advances affect the way information is handled in libraries and information centers. The impacts of new technologies are felt by libraries in every aspect. Computing technology, communication technology and mass storagetechnology are some of the areas of continuous development that reshape the way that libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate and disseminate information to users. The academic library has been from its inception an integral part of institutions of higher learning, rather than an appendix or adjunct.

Oyedun (2007) defines academic libraries as those libraries that are mainly found in tertiary institutions, they are established to support learning, teaching and research processes. Over the past twenty seven years, academic libraries have been affected by changes in information and communication technology. The rate of changes is still accelerating in this area. The introduction of various information technology (ICT) trends has lead to reorganization, change in work patterns, and demand for new skills, job retraining and reclassification positions. Technological advancement of the past twenty five years, such as the electronic database, online services, CD-ROMs and introduction of internet has radically transformed access to information. Rana (2009) opines that ICT holds the key to the success of modernizing information services. Applications of ICT are numerous but mainly it is used in converting the existing paper-print records in the entire process of storage, retrieval and dissemination.

ICT has impacted on every sphere of academic library activity especially in the form of the library collection development strategies, library building and consortia. ICT presents an opportunity to provide value-added information services and access to a wide variety of digital based information resources to their clients. Furthermore, academic libraries are also using modern ICTs to automate their core functions, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, implement management information systems, develop institutional repositories of digital local contents, and digital libraries: and initiate ICT based capacity building programmes for library users.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, conventional LIS such as OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, Document delivery, interlibrary loan, Audio visual services and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT, as they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and most-up-to-date dissemination and end users involvement in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT characterized on information services by changes in format, contents and method of production and contents and method of production and delivery of information products. Emergence of internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changed role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for dissemination of information and shift from physical to virtual services environment and extinction of some conventional information services and emergence of new and innovational web based.