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1 – 10 of 12Adesola Victoria Alade, Alexis Isioma Ureki and Clement Ola Adekoya
Year 2020 recorded an unprecedented bewilderment of the world with novel COVID-19, thereby threatening global food security. As such, there is need for academic libraries in…
Abstract
Purpose
Year 2020 recorded an unprecedented bewilderment of the world with novel COVID-19, thereby threatening global food security. As such, there is need for academic libraries in Nigeria to provide information regarding food security to users to ensure post-COVID-19 food security. This study, therefore, aims to reflect on the role of academic libraries in facilitating post-COVID-19 food security in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research design of survey type was used for the study. Librarians and library officers in academic libraries in south-west Nigeria were considered for the study. Self-structured online questionnaire was sent to the respondents via social media. The data generated were analysed using frequency count and simple percentage.
Findings
It was found that academic libraries performed significant role during the COVID-19 period by disseminating online information on preventive measures, and supporting research team with information on the pandemic. The study further found that the services of academic libraries are strongly required in facilitating post-COVID-19 food security, even in the face of some challenges.
Practical implications
In the face of the looming COVID-19-induced food shortage, it becomes evident that academic libraries have to support individuals, farmers, research teams and organisations with information and information resources that can help in accomplishing global food security.
Social implications
Failure of academic libraries to offer the required support in terms of provision of necessary information resources on agriculture may make the attainment of COVID-19 food security difficult.
Originality/value
Ensuring post-COVID-19 food security is an issue of global concern. This study encourages academic libraries to expedite action to contribute towards ensuring post-COVID-19 global food security.
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Esther Arinola Arapasopo and Clement Ola Adekoya
The current scourge of COVID-19 in educational enterprise requires that libraries tame the wave of the pandemic through effective leadership. This paper aims to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
The current scourge of COVID-19 in educational enterprise requires that libraries tame the wave of the pandemic through effective leadership. This paper aims to investigate library leadership in Nigeria and COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research design was used for the study. A structured questionnaire designed with Google Form and administered online was used to elicit data from 137 heads of academic and public libraries and their deputies in South West, Nigeria.
Findings
It was found that transformational and transactional leadership styles were more effective than laissez-faire style in managing libraries during crisis. Library operations were reduced during the COVID-19 era, and communication and meetings were conducted via social media. The spread of the pandemic was curtailed through enforcement of the use of face mask and nose covers and awareness campaign through posters and handbills.
Practical implications
It is the library heads with effective leadership styles that will be productive in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originality/value
This study is novel, as it approaches the handling of COVID-19 in libraries from the perspective of the leadership styles of the library leaders. No studies have emanated from Africa in this area. The few available narratives are centred around the Western countries. Meanwhile, managers of libraries in Nigeria are not immune to leadership crisis in the handling of the COVID-19 in their respective libraries.
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Clement Ola Adekoya, Joseph Kehinde Fasae and Adesola Victoria Alade
Education is a strong pillar to national development. It is vital to ensure sustainable higher education development (SHED) in a bid to facilitate global development. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Education is a strong pillar to national development. It is vital to ensure sustainable higher education development (SHED) in a bid to facilitate global development. This study aims to investigate academic libraries, information and communication technology (ICT) use and SHED.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study was 607 librarians in the 41 public university libraries in Southern Nigeria. Total enumeration and purposive sampling techniques were used for this study. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for the data analysis.
Findings
It was found that qualified teachers and promotion of scholarship constitute SHED. The extent of contribution of academic libraries to SHED is high. Academic libraries face a number of challenges in their effort to provide information services for the actualisation of the SHED. The extent of use of ICT in SHED is high. It was therefore recommended that academic libraries and ICT should be adequately used to accomplish SHED in Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications
This study will contribute to the body of literature on how academic libraries and the use of ICT can contribute to SHED.
Practical implications
While SHED is central to global development, the role of academic libraries and the use of ICT should be unanimously embraced by all the stakeholders in education industry.
Originality/value
SHED is inevitable in the contemporary era. This study reveals that academic libraries and ICT use are vital in achieving SHED.
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Clement Ola Adekoya and Joseph Kehinde Fasae
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the social media application and the spread of COVID-19 infodemic in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the social media application and the spread of COVID-19 infodemic in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive survey research design was used for this study. A total of 1,200 social media users, regardless of their professions, were randomly selected for the study betweenmid-June and July 2020. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used for this study. The questionnaire was designed using Google form and administered using WhatsApp and Telegram to social media users above 18 years old in Nigeria. The data generated was analyzed using descriptive (frequency count) and inferential (mean) statistics, and was presented in tables.
Findings
It was found that people make use of social media during COVID-19 pandemic for diverse reasons such as listening to announcement to be informed, knowing the necessary measures to take by those infected and spreading up-to-date information on the pandemic. Social media tools were highly used during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially WhatsApp and Zoom. Findings reflected that misinformation was spread on social media. This study also showed that the infodemic associated with COVID-19 is managed by confirming the source of the information before sharing it and trusting information from reliable sources.
Research limitations/implications
The result of this research will contribute to the body of knowledge on social media application, fake news and the spread of COVID-19 infodemic in Nigeria and beyond.
Practical implications
Infodemic is a disaster in the health sector. The spread of infodemic is capable of misleading people, losing trust in government, health providers and health regulatory authorities. This study will help social media users to know how to properly manage social media infodemic during a pandemic or any health-related situations.
Originality/value
This study is novel as it approaches fake news from a COVID-19 perspective. Very few articles emanate from the developing countries in this area. This was because most of the narrative around fake news previously centered around the Western occurrences such as the Iraqi invasion by the USA, the US presidential elections and BREXIT. COVID-19 has demonstrated that the developing world is not immune from fake news as well. This study, therefore, assessed the management of infodemic associated with COVID-19 in Nigeria.
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The necessity for continuous advancement in library education and practice requires research collaboration among library professionals. This study aims to investigate research…
Abstract
Purpose
The necessity for continuous advancement in library education and practice requires research collaboration among library professionals. This study aims to investigate research collaboration among lecturers in the department of library and information science (LIS) and librarians in university libraries in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The quantitative study employed a close-ended questionnaire for data collection. The study covered all the librarians in academic libraries and lecturers in the department of LIS (LIS professionals) in public universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The criterion mean of 2.50–2.99 was used for the research questions.
Findings
It was found that librarians in academic libraries and lecturers in Nigeria rarely engage in research collaboration. The reasons for the research collaboration are to increase the quality of research in the library profession, make research in the library profession more in-depth and cross-fertilize ideas for generating novel insights.
Practical implications
It is the engagement of librarians in academic libraries and the lecturers in the LIS department in the exchange of knowledge at national and international levels through research collaboration that can enhance the quality of research that emanates from the library profession.
Social implications
Promotion of the library profession requires the integrated effort of library professionals in academic libraries and lecturers in the department of LIS through research collaboration.
Originality/value
Promotion of the library profession requires the integrated effort of library professionals in academic libraries and lecturers in the department of LIS through research collaboration.
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Michael Olorunfemi and Clement Ola Adekoya
This paper aims to investigate technostress and information and communication technology (ICT) usage among librarians in Nigerian universities.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate technostress and information and communication technology (ICT) usage among librarians in Nigerian universities.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The data generated were analyzed using mean, frequency count and percentage.
Findings
A moderate extent of psychological, emotional and physical technostress was found among the librarians. The findings further revealed that technostress among the librarians could be reduced through organizational and technical support and the involvement of librarians in the ICT implementation process. The hypotheses tested revealed that there was a significant relationship between technostress and ICT usage among the librarians; female librarians exhibit a higher extent of technostress than male librarians, and there is no difference in the extent of ICT usage between male and female librarians in Nigerian universities.
Practical implications
Librarians cannot effectively use ICTs if they exhibit technostress.
Originality/value
The work is a creative attempt to know the difference in the extent of technostress and ICT usage among male and female librarians in Nigerian universities.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the opinions and attributes about Nigerian women librarians breaking the glass ceiling that prevents them from reaching management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the opinions and attributes about Nigerian women librarians breaking the glass ceiling that prevents them from reaching management positions in their respective libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The population of the study was 147 librarians at the university libraries of the six federal universities in South-west, Nigeria. Purposive and census sampling techniques were used for the study.
Findings
It was found that the opinions about women librarians occupying management positions in the libraries are negative. Women librarians do not have the required attributes and capability for management positions despite the fact that the extent of their preparedness for management positions is high. The study revealed that there is significant relationship between gender attributes and managerial capability.
Originality/value
It was recommended that there should be abandoning of organisational stereotype that characterises the opinions of librarians which make them think that women librarians are not fit for management positions. Women librarians should develop the attributes and capability that can qualify them for management positions in libraries.
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Clement Ola Adekoya and Akeem Adedayo Adedimeji
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate enhancement of library performance by exploiting the potentials of disruptive innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study was 167 respondents, consisting of 83 professional and 84 para-professional librarians in the libraries of the public higher institutions in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. Total enumeration sampling technique was used for the study. Data were collected using the questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools were used for data analysis.
Findings
It was found that disruptive innovation has influence on library operations, the extent of application of disruptive innovation in library operation is low, the extent of using the by-products of disruptive innovation in the libraries is low and the challenges facing the adoption of disruptive innovations in libraries include: high cost of acquiring technological infrastructure, high cost of training library personnel, high costs of internet, inadequate technical know-how and high costs of system maintenance and upgrades.
Practical implications
Libraries should embrace the influence of disruptive innovations in their operations and service delivery.
Originality/value
This study is novel, as it approaches library performance from the perspective of the disruptive innovation. Very few studies emanate from Africa in this area. Most of the previous narratives around disruptive innovation centred around the Western countries such USA, UK, France, Italy, etc., which maintain a lead in library innovation and development. The current study demonstrated that the performance of libraries in Nigeria is not immune from being boosted by disruptive innovations.
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Joseph Kehinde Fasae, Clement Ola Adekoya and Idowu Adegbilero-Iwari
The study aims to investigate the academic libraries' response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the academic libraries' response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study was all the 584 approved academic institutions in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire administered online was designed to collect data with Google Form from heads of library (who are the chief principal officer) in all the academic institutions. The link to the survey was sent to the Nigeria Library Association (NLA) Online Forum, the platform on which Nigerian librarians fete and discuss issues relating to the profession. Social media tools such as WhatsApp and Telegram belonging to groups of academic librarians in Nigeria were also employed. The heads of the library from 108 academic libraries responded to the survey. The data generated were analyzed using a statistical tool and presented in tables.
Findings
The finding reveals that nearly all the students are not on campus since they have been directed to vacate their campus as a result of the lockdown. The study reveals some safety measures that were put in place by the libraries in Nigeria to include total closure of the library (59.3%), provision of hand sanitizer (55.6%) and the use of face mask and nose covers by library users (31.9%). The finding further indicates social distancing measures also put in place to include communication done via social media (59.3%), attendance to patrons (51.9%), class/lecture (51.9%), training/conferences (37%) and paper presentations (37%) that are all canceled, respectively. On access to library materials, a majority (87.96%) of the academic libraries in Nigeria provide only online materials to their users, while 9.26% of the academic libraries provide access to both prints and online materials.
Research limitations/implications
The paper will contribute to the body of literature on academic libraries' response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and beyond.
Practical implications
While the disease is still very much with the world, libraries have to continue providing information resources in support of the research studies and sensitize the world on the measures to take to curtail the pandemic.
Originality/value
The results can help other libraries find ways and means to adjust services, so that they can still meet the needs of users in this pandemic.
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Clement Ola Adekoya, Isioma Alexis Ureki and Adesola Victoria Alade
The quest for sustainable food security (SFS) is fundamental to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In furtherance of their pivotal role in providing the required…
Abstract
Purpose
The quest for sustainable food security (SFS) is fundamental to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In furtherance of their pivotal role in providing the required information resources in support of education and research, libraries are expected to assist the economy in ensuring SFS. The purpose of this study is to investigate how libraries provide information to support research in agriculture towards the attainment of SFS in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research design was used for the study. Interview and questionnaire were used as the instruments of data collection.
Findings
This study found that the extent of use of library information resources for SFS in Nigeria is high. Libraries, though facing some challenges, contribute significantly to the attainment of food security in Nigeria. It was recommended that libraries should intensify efforts to embark on media literacy programmes and provide information resources for research on agriculture and food production with a view to actualising food security goals specified in Sustainable Development Goals. Libraries should be well-funded to acquire the relevant information resources to aid research into food security and end hunger and poverty across the world.
Practical implications
This study suggests having better sponsored libraries that can perform as required in advancing agricultural information needs.
Originality/value
This study is a creative attempt to know how libraries can contribute to SFS through the provision of information to farmers and lecturers in agriculture.
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