INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AS A CORRELATION OF LIBRARY SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE BELLS UNIVERSITY, OTA, OGUN STATE

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AS A CORRELATION OF LIBRARY SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE BELLS UNIVERSITY, OTA, OGUN STATE
 
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine innovative technologies as a correlation of library service delivery in the Bells University, Ota, Ogun State. Specifically, the study examined the factors mitigating against the application of innovation technologies in the deliveries of information services. The study also evaluate the benefit of innovative technology in the deliveries of information services. Lastly, the study find out the innovation technologies appropriate in the delivery of information dissemination. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 30 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that the factors mitigating against the application of innovation technologies in the deliveries of information services are Labour market,Economic conditions,Lack of leadership, and Short term thinking. Also, the benefit of innovative technology in the deliveries of information services is that it is easier, faster and more effective communication, more efficient stock management and ordering systems, new sales avenues and the ability to develop new, innovative approaches. Lastly, some of the innovation technologies appropriate in the delivery of information dissemination are Websites ,Emails, Social media handle and Mobile technology. The study thereby recommend that there is need for adequate capacity building for professionals to meet with the realities of modern times. Also,practitioners require appropriate training to acquire skills, attitudes and values that will support them in the task ahead. More so, For a meaningful transformation process, all stakeholders should be adequately taken through the various areas of information management for a detailed understanding. Furthermore, the government should make adequate financial support to facilities the provision of relevant and up to date information technologies infrastructure to meet best global practices.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Libraries are mainly entrusted with a host of predetermined tasks like acquiring, organizing, preserving, retrieving and disseminating information to the user. From ancient times to the present Internet age, the primary objective of library has always been this (Gopinath, etal.2001). However, towards the beginning of the 21st century world over, there has been a phenomenal paradigm shift in the rendering of library and information services. The implication of the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in every sphere of human development is visible and its impact on library and information services cannot be overemphasized. Available literature (Sridhar, 1999; Igun, 2006) as well as observations across the world attests to this assertion. In today’s world, library and information services delivery are being transformed from their manual operations to new ways with the use of technology. The new technology and communication tools are employed in rendering services to the patrons through appropriate channels for access to information with cluster of technologies referred to as the internet. The technology called the internet has the ability to compliment, reinforce, and enhance educational accomplishments for the benefits of all. (Esew and Ikyembe 2013).
The resultant effect of this development has been the emergence of electronic services in libraries which has become the basis for digital libraries (Youngok, 2006). Library services are assuming a different dimension in philosophy, model and information delivery. The trend worldwide has proved that information provision and delivery had shifted from the traditional models to electronic and web-based formats. Traditional collections are giving way to if not total but at least hybrid collections. This change in structure is not without its attendant challenges as electronic and digital libraries come along with their peculiar characteristics despite sharing the same purpose of preserving, organizing and distributing information resources as in the case of traditional libraries (youngok, 2006). In a similar vein, Mwamba (2002), noted that in the case of Nigeria, there is a shift in focus of operation from library-centred to information-centred; from the library as an institution to the library as an information provider, and to the librarian as a skilled information specialist functioning in all-related information environment, which require the use of new method known as automation of library functions for the enhancement of information access and delivery not physically contained within the four walls of the library but from library networking for information provision to area networking for all types of information resources provided. It is a known fact that the mental, social and economic development of the individual depends on the individual’s access to information through reading which enhances productive approach to improving one’s knowledge and understanding.
The 21st century is not without changes that are meant to put libraries and its offerings on a new pedestal. In his opinion, Hayes (1998) noted that libraries must ‘’move from resource centred, institutionalized and physically bound to network based’’. Becoming a network based library however, has a lot of technological implications; the single prominent factor being information technology (Sridar 1989, 1995.1997, and 1999). Furthermore, literature affirmed that the change in the nature and roles of libraries vis-à-vis the digital environment has equally brought about the need for development and acquisition of new skills and competencies (Yongok 2006).
It is worthy of mention that library and information services are key actors in providing unhindered access to essential resources for economic and cultural advancement. In doing so, they contribute effectively to the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom, safeguarding democratic values and universal civil rights. They encourage social inclusion, by striving to serve all those in their user communities regardless of age, gender, economic or employment status, literacy or technical skills, cultural or ethnic origin, religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation or physical and mental ability. The communities they serve may be geographically based or, increasingly, linked only by technology and shared internet (IFLA 2003). The import of this new attitude of information creation, access, retrieval, storage and availability for use in a major transformation towards creating information and knowledge based society for the good of all.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Libraries for many generations have taken many physical forms, rendering from large purposebuilt buildings, to rooms in parent institutions and small temporary structures. The libraries then went further to penetrate those places that could not be accessed through road, rail, water and the beast of burden as a means of transportation. In today’s dispensation, many libraries are now ‘’hybrid’’ combining both physical space and collection with a virtual library of electronic materials and services. These development is a signal that there is paradigm shift from old operational method to one supported by technology of diverse form. One of the expectations of a library user is to be able to access accurate, current and appropriate information. This was however a difficult task to accomplish but with the technological innovations it is possible to provide enhanced information service from a single collection and hence new resource sharing programmes were introduced to meet user’s needs. In the past, the inability of a library to meet all need of a user at a point in time can now be overcome a s a result of internet and its associated technologies and using the global information all the need are met quickly and efficiently.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This general objective of this study is Innovative technologies as a correlation of Library service delivery in The Bells University, Ota, Ogun State. The specific objective are as follows:
To examine the factors mitigating against the application of innovation technologies in the deliveries of information services.
To evaluate the benefit of innovative technology in the deliveries of information services.
To find out the innovation technologies appropriate in the delivery of information dissemination.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
The following questions have been prepared for this study
What are the factors mitigating against the application of innovation technologies in the deliveries of information services?
What are the benefit of innovative technology in the deliveries of information services?
What are the innovation technologies appropriate in the delivery of information dissemination?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will look into Innovative technologies as a correlation of Library service delivery in The Bells University, Ota, Ogun State. Hence it will be significant in the following ways:
Library managers: this study will be significant to the library managers as they will see the need to update the library with innovative technology in other to aid the smooth running of library delivery service.
Academia: this study is significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study will examine the factors mitigating against the application of innovation technologies in the deliveries of information services. The study will also evaluate the benefit of innovative technology in the deliveries of information services. Lastly, the study will find out the innovation technologies appropriate in the delivery of information dissemination. Hence the study will be delimited to Bells University, Ota, Ogun State.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:
just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data
Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires
Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher.