Leveraging Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Access to Digital Resources in Public University Libraries in Abia and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria

The study investigated innovative technologies for enhanced access to digital resources in public university libraries in Abia and Akwa Ibom States. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. Four specific objectives and four corresponding research questions were designed to guide the study. The study was conducted in the five public university libraries in the two states, with a total population of 178, made up of 99 librarians and 79 para-professionals. The instrument for data collection was an observation checklist which assessed the types of innovative technologies available in the libraries and a researcher-developed questionnaire, which addressed the four research questions of the study. A total of 178 copies of the questionnaire were administered on the respondents. This yielded a return rate of 146 (82%), which was used for the analysis. Frequency counts, simple percentage and mean value were used for data analysis based on the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that there was high level of awareness of the various innovative technologies, especially Open Access Catalogue (OPAC) and websites among librarians and para-professionals in public Universities in the two states; some of the types of innovative technologies in focus were not available in most of the University libraries, except zoom extra screen magnification, website, OPAC and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); university libraries perceived the various innovative technologies as very important for enhanced access to digital resources. The study also established some challenges faced by university libraries in the deployment and use of innovative technologies. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that university libraries should strive to acquire and leverage various innovative technologies other than zoom extra screen magnification, website OPAC and RFID for enhanced access to digital resources.



Journal Title: Nigerian Libraries

Category: Library and Information Science

ISSN: 0029-0122

Year of Establishment: 1963

Section: Library and Information Sciences

Volume: 59

Issue: 1

Total Download: 2

ImaObong N. Obot, PhD, Amogu Uma Kalu, PhD, Daniel T. O. Kolawole. 2025 Leveraging Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Access to Digital Resources in Public University Libraries in Abia and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria. Nigerian Libraries. 59 (1). 157-169. https://doi.org/10.61955/EUHRIF

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