Leveraging robotics technology to improve service delivery to library users in Nigerian academic libraries

Abstract

Abstract

This study investigated the Leveraging robotics technology to improve service delivery to library users in Nigerian academic libraries. The study was guided by 4 research objectives. This study adopts the survey research design. The sample population of the study comprised of the Librarians from tertiary institutions (polytechnics and universities) in Delta, Anambra and Ogun states. For Delta state, Delta Polytechnic Ogwashi-Ukwu and Admiralty University of Nigeria were selected. For Anambra state, the Federal Polytechnic Oko and Nnamdi Azikiwe University were used. For Ogun state, D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori-Ewekoro Ifo and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta were used. The sample selected were 60 librarians through the purposive sampling technique. The observation checklist and questionnaire were the research instruments used for data collection. The instrument was validated by 3 experts. The Crombach Alpha a reliability method was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument. A reliability coefficient of 0.83 was gotten. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean scores and standard deviation. The results showed a total lack of robotic technologies across the examined libraries, highlighting a substantial delay in automation adoption. Nevertheless, librarians demonstrated firm agreement on robotics' capacity to boost operational performance, offering greater user convenience, tailored support, and a contemporary library persona. Despite this positive outlook, they highlighted major barriers, particularly elevated upfront expenses, insufficient technical skills, anticipated user opposition, system failures, data security issues, and challenges in adaptation. The research concludes that although robotics' benefits are acknowledged, profound infrastructure and skill deficiencies obstruct its implementation. It recommends the launch of pilot initiatives in university and polytechnic libraries, targeting affordable robotics solutions like automated book returns or simple informational kiosk robots.