EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION: A STUDY OF AVAILABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION AMONG LIBRARYAND INFORMATION SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the availability, accessibility, and utilization of emerging technologies
for scholarly communication among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in
Federal Universities in North-East Nigeria. The main objective -was to identify the types of
emerging technologies available for scholarly communication within this context. A
quantitative survey design was employed, targeting LIS professionals across three selected
federal universities using a census sampling technique. A total of263 valid responses were
retrieved through structured questionnaires. Findings show a significant relationship
between availability, accessibility, and utilization of emerging technologies among the
Library and information science professionals of federal universities in north-east Nigeria.
Findings revealed that social media, digital archives, open educational resources (OER), and
learning management systems (LMS) were the most commonly available technologies. In
contrast, advanced innovations such as blockchain, virtual reality, and 3D printing were
scarcely available. Awareness and accessibility varied, with moderate levels observed for
generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and cloud computing; the adequacy of most emerging
technologies was found to be below optimal. Major barriers to utilization included limited
funding, inadequate digital infrastructure, lack of training, and weak institutional support.
The study recommends increased investment by university administrations and government
agencies in digital infrastructure and funding. It also advocates for comprehensive awareness
campaigns through workshops, training, and curriculum integration, particularly targeting
lesser-known emerging technologies, strategic investment in digital infrastructure and
professional trainingto enhance scholarly communication practices among LIS professionals
of Federal Universities of North-East Nigeria.
Keywords: Accessibility, Awareness. Digital Infrastructure, Emerging Technologies,
Federal UnmerMes, Libra? and Infor,nation Science (US),
Professional Development, Scholarly Communication, Technology Utilization