Adoption of Innovative Technologies and Services in Academic Libraries in North Central Nigeria as a Panacea to the Effects of Covid-19 and Related Pandemics

Abstract

This study investigated the adoption of innovative technologies and services in academic libraries in North Central Nigeria (NCN) as a panacea to the effects of COVID-19 and related pandemics. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design guided by five specific objectives and a null hypothesis. The population was 216 librarians and 9505 teaching staff at Federal Universities and Polytechnics in NCN. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied to draw samples for the study. Two sets of self-developed and face-validated questionnaires were used to collect data. The internal consistency of the instruments was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data collected were analysed using the percentage, mean and standard deviation, while the Chi-Square was used to test the hypothesis. Findings in the study show that technologies and services provided in academic libraries in NCN before the COVID-19 pandemic were: the computer, circulation service, reference service, and selective dissemination of information. Only digital resources were the innovative technology and service adopted in academic libraries in NCN as a panacea to the effects of COVID-19 and related pandemics. The study further revealed a low extent of adoption of innovative technologies and services in academic libraries in NCN as a panacea to the effects of COVID-19 and related pandemics. Additionally, the study indicated that the research output of academics in NCN is positively impacted by the adopted technology and service. The innovative technologies and services agreed for possible adoption in academic libraries in NCN as a panacea to the effects of COVID-19 and related pandemics include: online databases, social media technologies, information alert service, QR Code, natural language processing, blockchain technology, intelligent virtual assistant, among others. A recommendation made in the study, among others, was that academic library managements in NCN should, as a matter of deliberate policy, address the poor adoption of innovative technologies and services, which has revealed the weaknesses of the libraries to cater to the needs of researchers in periods of pandemics like COVID-19.