EVALUATING THE READINESS OF DIGITAL REFERENCE SERVICES IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Digital reference services (DRS) are essential for providing remote access to
information and supporting users with academic inquiries. Despite their potential, DRS
adoption has been limited in university libraries in Nigeria. This study assesses the readiness
of DRS in public university libraries in Niger State, focusing on available digital
infrastructure, librarians' digital skills, challenges, and strategies for improvement. The study
used descriptive research design and the population comprised 75 professional librarians
from the two public university libraries in Niger State. The findings revealed that these
libraries possess basic digital infrastructure for DRS such as the computers, internet access,
WhatsApp, Facebook, website, email, and online databases. The study also revealed that the
librarians possess basic digital skills for DRS like using digital devices, searching online
databases, and using social media platforms. However, the study revealed that the challenges
such as inadequate funding, lack of institutional policies, low digital literacy, poor internet
connectivity, and unreliable electricity supply hinder the full implementation of DRS. The
study, therefore, recommended that increasing funding for DRS, training librarians on DRS
tools, providing reliable internet connectivity, providing steady electricity power supply,
developing institutional policy, and using social media platforms for DRS is important to
enhance the readiness of DRS in public university libraries in Niger State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Digital reference services, Digital infrastructure, Digital skills, University
libraries, Niger State.