LIBRARIANS’ AWARENESS AND SKILLS PROCESSED IN BIG DATA APPLICATION FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIAN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital information in the 21st century has positioned Big Data technology as a transformative tool for enhancing academic library operations. This study examined the level of awareness and the skills possessed by librarians in Federal University Libraries in North Central Nigeria regarding the application of Big Data technology for improved service delivery. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from librarians across selected federal universities within the region. Findings revealed that librarians possess a moderate level of awareness of Big Data technology, particularly in areas such as data collection and basic data management. However, advanced awareness of Big Data applications such as research data services and enhanced data usage remains low. Similarly, the study found that librarians generally exhibit moderate proficiency in foundational Big Data-related skills such as data analysis and visualization, while significant gaps persist in advanced competencies including data security, predictive analytics, database management, and data integration. The study concludes that although librarians demonstrate an emerging readiness for Big Data adoption, substantial skill development and infrastructural support are required to optimize Big Data integration in academic library services. It recommends targeted training, improved awareness programs, and the provision of technological tools to fully harness Big Data for effective library service delivery.