Purpose Academic libraries are constantly adopting emerging technologies to deliver innovative services. A recent trend in technological innovation is the Internet of Things (IoT). Consequently, this study theoretically x-rayed the various ways in which IoT could be applied to academic libraries and the expected challenges associated with the adoption of the technology. Design/methodology/approach This study used the review method to examine the application of IoT in contemporary academic libraries. Findings This study explained the concept of IoT and went further to x-ray the application of IoTs in academic libraries as it affects critical aspects of the library operations, thereby justifying how IoT influences innovative service delivery. The peculiar challenges faced by academic libraries in developing countries were also discussed. Originality/value This study’s value is reflected in the need to examine IoT adoption in academic libraries from the perspective of both developing and developed countries, where for certain reasons, the diffusion of new technology is relatively slow.

Purpose The continuous spread of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated public health concern with avalanche of information accompanied by series of fake news. Thus, this study examined the effect of Information Literacy Competency (ILC) in curtailing the spread of fake news among Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduates in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Survey research design of the descriptive type was used to generate data from a group of LIS undergraduates online. The population of the study consisted of 138 LIS undergraduate students who participated in the survey (thus, n = 138). The data retrieved was subjected to descriptive analysis. Findings The study revealed that the students had high level of ILC (x ¯ = 3.42), and there was low prevalence level of COVID-19 pandemic fake news (x ¯ = 2.35) among them. The major causes of COVID-19 fake news were too much information in circulation concerning COVID-19 (x ¯ = 3.44) and the resultant inability to discern or spot fake news from verified and authentic news (x ¯ = 3.28). The study also revealed that ILC had a significant effect in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 fake news with a grand mean of 3.28 against the criterion mean of 2.5. It is implied that LIS undergraduates are educationally position to acquire ILC which is crucial to their identification of fake news and helps to curtail its spread. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in its use of online group for data elicitation within a limited period of three weeks. Also, in its adoption of self-evaluation scale to measure ILC instead of standard information literacy test. Also, the high chances of social desirability bias in sections C and E serve as a limitation to the study. Practical implications The study reinforces the need to enhance structures that flags fake news on social media platforms and integrating IL into schools’ curriculum at all levels. Originality/value This study seeks to pioneer a new area of focus on the relevance of ILC to different global issues that concern the health and well-being.

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The study focused on technological readiness and computer self-efficacy as predictors of E-learning adoption by Library and Information Science (LIS) students in Nigeria. While literatures have suggested that E-learning adoption is context based, there is a need to examine the predictors of E-learning adoption within the Nigerian context, given the increasing need for E-learning adoption as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result, the study used the descriptive correlational research design to study a group of LIS students in Nigeria. Consequently, LIS students in the Nigeria Library and Information Science Students (NLISS) Facebook group were used for the study. The population of the group was 1,807 at the time the study was conducted and the sample size for the study was 320 randomly selected respondents. The sample size was achieved using the Krejcie, R. V., and D. W. Morgan. 1970. “Determining Sample Size for Research Activities.” Educational and Psychological Measurement 30: 607–10 table for determining sample size. Data was collected from the respondents using a closed-ended questionnaire consisting of adapted scales for all the variables. The 223 responses retrieved within a period of three weeks were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings from the investigation showed technological readiness, computer self-efficacy and E-learning adoption of the LIS students is very high. Though technological readiness and computer self-efficacy had relative contribution to E-learning adoption, computer self-efficacy had higher contribution. The study also revealed that significant relationships exist between technological readiness and E-learning adoption, computer self-efficacy and E-learning adoption, technological readiness and computer self-efficacy, while technological readiness and computer self-efficacy had joint prediction on E-learning adoption by LIS students in Nigeria. The study therefore emphasized the need to consider certain individual factors as criteria to the successful adoption of E-learning among LIS students in Nigeria.

Purpose The continuous advancement in technology has disrupted practices in many sectors, including education. Thus, this study aims to examine digital librarianship practice and open access technology use for sustainable development in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The survey type of descriptive research design was adopted in this study while the population of the study comprised librarians in universities in Delta State. A total of 38 randomly selected librarians from four universities in Delta State were used for this study, and the data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings This study revealed that the level of digital librarianship practice in university libraries in Delta State for sustainable development is low; just as social media tools, open source integrated library systems and Google Cloud Platforms are the most commonly used open access technologies in the libraries. Furthermore, this study showed that perennial factors such as poor funding of education, inadequate quality educational infrastructure, mismanagement of education fund among others are hindrance to sustainable development in the country’s educational sector. Research limitations/implications This study is limited in its use of only one state (out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) in Nigeria for this research. Also, social desirability bias on the part of the respondents could have influenced the pattern in which the respondents reacted to items in section D. Practical implications This study has practical implications for the sensitization and training of librarians towards leveraging on the various open access technologies in delivering effective library and information services required in the Fourth Industrial revolution. Originality/value This study seeks to pioneer a new area of focus by examining digital librarianship practice and open access technology use as enablers of sustainable development.