Assessment of the traditional and emerging roles of university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the traditional and emerging roles of university libraries in Nigeria. Census sampling technique was used to sample all the 43 Nigerian Federal university libraries. Structured questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency count and mean scores. Results indicated that the traditional roles were rooted in acquisition and preservation of information and in the provision of access to information in various formats. The respondents agreed with only 7 of the possible 18 emerging roles of libraries indicating that the understudied libraries are slow in attuning to the internet, World Wide Web and ICT. Respondents agreed with 11 out 15 possible challenges militating against the adoption of emerging roles of academic libraries in information service delivery. Most of these challenges are administrative and personnel. It was concluded that while university libraries are aware of the traditional roles of libraries, they are yet to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the trio of the internet, World Wide Web and ICT. The recommendation is that the library should adopt the technologies of the internet, World Wide Web and ICT and acquire necessary training in implementation of these innovations to boost library service delivery.