| Peer-Reviewed

Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria

Received: 24 December 2020     Accepted: 6 January 2021     Published: 23 February 2021
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The emergence of COVID 19 has led to total or partial lockdown around the world, thereby restricting movements as well as physical contacts. COVID 19 could be contracted through touching infected book shelves, books, catalogue cabinet, reading carrels and tables, among others. At the same time, adequate information is required to prevent and manage the virus from spreading. The study examined the observance of COVID-19 protocols and effective use of library resources and services in State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study is 163 library staff. This comprised of the entire library staff in the six state owned universities in North Central, Nigeria. Online survey was conducted using Google form between 15th and 14th of December, 2020. The link to the Google form was shared via individual and group social media platforms of the staff so as to increase the response rate. Data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution table, chart, percentage and mean with the aid of SPSS version 23. The findings revealed among other things that; library services are poorly provided by university libraries during COVID-19 lockdown in state owned university libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Majority of the respondents agreed that their library posted updates about COVID-19 on library blog, websites, portals etc. and use of social media for library services delivery during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Other services like; Ask Librarian virtual reference service, electronic delivery service, providing access to e-books, providing access to e-journals, providing OPAC as tool for browsing and searching the library collection, providing access to students' electronic thesis and dissertation, electronic Newspaper Clipping Depository and so on were poorly provided. Also, it was revealed that the observance of COVID-19 protocols affected effective use of library resources and services. It was also revealed that; erratic power supply, lack of adequate electronic resources in the library, lack of funds to fumigate library environment, lack of internet access in the library, nonchalant attitude of staff towards observing COVID-19 protocols, lack of adequate accommodation in the library to observe social distancing, and inadequate digital skills to adopt online services and so on, as major challenges. The study however, recommended among other things that; the library management should provide adequate digital skills training to their staff so as to adopt online services in this COVID-19 period. Adequate infrastructural facilities should be made available and accessible.

Published in American Journal of Information Science and Technology (Volume 5, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12
Page(s) 12-18
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19 Protocols, Library Resources, Library Services, State University libraries, North Central, Nigeria

References
[1] Onah, J. C., Adayi, I. O., Okonkwo, E. A., and Onyebuchi, G. U. Information retrieval skills as it correlates to undergraduate use of library information resources at a Nigerian university. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 2020, 4586. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilpr ac/4586.
[2] Aina, L. O. Library and Information Science Text for Africa. Ibadan: Third world information services, 2004.
[3] Tella, A. & Ojo, R. R. Marketing Library and Information Services for effective utilization of available resources: the 21st century librarians and information professionals-which ways and what works? In Tell, A. & Issa, A. O. (Eds). Library and Information Science in Developing Countries: Contemporary issues. Hershey: Information Science Reference, 2012.
[4] Adayi, O. I., Idoko, R., Odeh, O. A. and Onah, C. J. Creative adaptation strategies for effective library services in Nigeria: a response to mitigate covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Management and Technology, 2020, 16: 1-8.
[5] Mwatela, W. M. Factors influencing utilization of library services and resources: the case of university of Nairobi Mombasa campus library. Unpublished project submitted to the department of extra Mural studies, University of Nairobi, 2013.
[6] Bhati, P. & Kumar, I. Role of Library Professionals in a Pandemic Situation like COVID-19. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 2020, 10 (2): 33-48.
[7] Mehta, D. & Wang, X. COVID-19 and digital library services – a case study of a University library. Digital Library Perspectives. 2020 https://www.emerald.com/insight/2059-5816.htm7] Mehta, D. & Wang, X. COVID-19 and digital library services – a case study of a University library. Digital Library Perspectives. 2020 https://www.emerald.com/insight/2059-5816.htm.
[8] Onifade, F. N. Library Services during COVID-19 Period: Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Experience, International Information & Library [Review. 2020 DOI: 10.1080/10572317.2020.1834247.
[9] LIBER statement on COVID 19,” EUA. 2020. Retrieved from https://eua.eu/news/491:liber-statementon-covid-19.html.
[10] Ladan, A., Haruna, B. and Madu, A. U. COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Media News in Nigeria: The Role of Libraries and Library Associations in Information Dissemination. International Journal of Innovation and Researchin Educational Sciences. 2020, 7 (2): 2349–5219.
[11] Neog, S. Library Services through Social Media during Lockdown due to COVID-19 with Special Reference to University Libraries of Assam". 2020. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4262. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/li bphilprac/4262.
[12] Kasa, M. G., and Yusuf, A. Experience of an academic library during the covid-1 9 pandemic". 2020. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4456. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/li bphilprac/4456.
[13] Nworgu, B. G. Educational Research: Basic issues and methodology (3rd ed.). Nsukka: University Trust Publishers, 2015.
[14] Friday, J., Chidozie, O., & Chukwuma, L. N. (2020) Social media and library services: a case of COVID-19 pandemic era. International Journal of Research and Review. 2020; 7 (10): 230-237.
[15] Reopening libraries in COVID 19 pandemic: challenges and recommendations. IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology, 5 (1): 16-23. http://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijlsit.2020.004.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Nathaniel Agbo Oche. (2021). Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. American Journal of Information Science and Technology, 5(1), 12-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Nathaniel Agbo Oche. Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. Am. J. Inf. Sci. Technol. 2021, 5(1), 12-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Nathaniel Agbo Oche. Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. Am J Inf Sci Technol. 2021;5(1):12-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12,
      author = {Nathaniel Agbo Oche},
      title = {Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria},
      journal = {American Journal of Information Science and Technology},
      volume = {5},
      number = {1},
      pages = {12-18},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajist.20210501.12},
      abstract = {The emergence of COVID 19 has led to total or partial lockdown around the world, thereby restricting movements as well as physical contacts. COVID 19 could be contracted through touching infected book shelves, books, catalogue cabinet, reading carrels and tables, among others. At the same time, adequate information is required to prevent and manage the virus from spreading. The study examined the observance of COVID-19 protocols and effective use of library resources and services in State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study is 163 library staff. This comprised of the entire library staff in the six state owned universities in North Central, Nigeria. Online survey was conducted using Google form between 15th and 14th of December, 2020. The link to the Google form was shared via individual and group social media platforms of the staff so as to increase the response rate. Data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution table, chart, percentage and mean with the aid of SPSS version 23. The findings revealed among other things that; library services are poorly provided by university libraries during COVID-19 lockdown in state owned university libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Majority of the respondents agreed that their library posted updates about COVID-19 on library blog, websites, portals etc. and use of social media for library services delivery during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Other services like; Ask Librarian virtual reference service, electronic delivery service, providing access to e-books, providing access to e-journals, providing OPAC as tool for browsing and searching the library collection, providing access to students' electronic thesis and dissertation, electronic Newspaper Clipping Depository and so on were poorly provided. Also, it was revealed that the observance of COVID-19 protocols affected effective use of library resources and services. It was also revealed that; erratic power supply, lack of adequate electronic resources in the library, lack of funds to fumigate library environment, lack of internet access in the library, nonchalant attitude of staff towards observing COVID-19 protocols, lack of adequate accommodation in the library to observe social distancing, and inadequate digital skills to adopt online services and so on, as major challenges. The study however, recommended among other things that; the library management should provide adequate digital skills training to their staff so as to adopt online services in this COVID-19 period. Adequate infrastructural facilities should be made available and accessible.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Observance of COVID 19 Protocols and Effective Use of Library Resources and Services in the State Universities in North Central, Nigeria
    AU  - Nathaniel Agbo Oche
    Y1  - 2021/02/23
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12
    T2  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    JF  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    JO  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    SP  - 12
    EP  - 18
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-0588
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20210501.12
    AB  - The emergence of COVID 19 has led to total or partial lockdown around the world, thereby restricting movements as well as physical contacts. COVID 19 could be contracted through touching infected book shelves, books, catalogue cabinet, reading carrels and tables, among others. At the same time, adequate information is required to prevent and manage the virus from spreading. The study examined the observance of COVID-19 protocols and effective use of library resources and services in State Universities in North Central, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study is 163 library staff. This comprised of the entire library staff in the six state owned universities in North Central, Nigeria. Online survey was conducted using Google form between 15th and 14th of December, 2020. The link to the Google form was shared via individual and group social media platforms of the staff so as to increase the response rate. Data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution table, chart, percentage and mean with the aid of SPSS version 23. The findings revealed among other things that; library services are poorly provided by university libraries during COVID-19 lockdown in state owned university libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Majority of the respondents agreed that their library posted updates about COVID-19 on library blog, websites, portals etc. and use of social media for library services delivery during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Other services like; Ask Librarian virtual reference service, electronic delivery service, providing access to e-books, providing access to e-journals, providing OPAC as tool for browsing and searching the library collection, providing access to students' electronic thesis and dissertation, electronic Newspaper Clipping Depository and so on were poorly provided. Also, it was revealed that the observance of COVID-19 protocols affected effective use of library resources and services. It was also revealed that; erratic power supply, lack of adequate electronic resources in the library, lack of funds to fumigate library environment, lack of internet access in the library, nonchalant attitude of staff towards observing COVID-19 protocols, lack of adequate accommodation in the library to observe social distancing, and inadequate digital skills to adopt online services and so on, as major challenges. The study however, recommended among other things that; the library management should provide adequate digital skills training to their staff so as to adopt online services in this COVID-19 period. Adequate infrastructural facilities should be made available and accessible.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Library and Information Science, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Nigeria

  • Sections