AN ASSESSMENT OF AI LITERACY SKILLS AMONGST ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS IN NIGERIA

Аннотация

This study investigates the level of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among academic librarians in Nigeria, emphasizing their familiarity with AI tools, perceived usefulness, ease of use, and attitudes toward AI integration in library services. Utilizing a descriptive survey design guided by an integrated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework, the study collected 73 valid responses via an online questionnaire distributed through professional platforms. Findings reveal that while many librarians are moderately or very familiar with basic AI tools such as AI-powered search engines and plagiarism detection systems, their awareness of advanced AI applications such as recommender systems, predictive analytics, and AI-based cataloging is significantly low. The study found a strong positive correlation (r = 0.713) between perceived usefulness and attitude toward AI literacy, and a weak but positive correlation (r = 0.183) between perceived ease of use and attitude. These results affirm that perceived usefulness is a key driver of AI adoption. The study concludes that although librarians have a favorable disposition towards AI, there exists a critical need for structured training, institutional support, and policy-driven frameworks to enhance AI literacy competencies in academic libraries across Nigeria. The study recommends systematic training for librarians by their professional body to equip them with AI knowledge, skills, and expose them to advanced AI applications beyond common tools.