Application of emerging technologies for research support in Nigerian academic libraries: Trends, problems and prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29173/iq1069Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Emerging technologies, Library Automation, Library Services, Research Support.Abstract
Academic libraries in the modern era are often asked to justify their existence in tertiary institutions by showing how the institution and society at large have benefited from the library services. One main area that librarians often point to is the research productivity of members of academic institutions. However, studies have shown that research productivity among Nigerian scholars is low, which means that academic libraries have to be more innovative in supporting researchers in their domains. Emerging technologies offer innovative ways of supporting research activities by providing tools and resources that streamline the research process and ensure proper visibility for research outputs of academic library clients. This article, which is based on a review of previous studies, explores various areas where academic libraries in Nigeria can apply emerging technologies, the likely challenges, and strategies that can be adopted to ensure sustainable use of emerging technologies in academic libraries. It has been found that emerging technologies can enhance existing library services and create new ones, such as data mining, data management, and scholarly communication, among others. However, although steps are being taken by academic librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions to leverage technology in providing the needed support for researchers, the pace of technology adoption is still slow and the range of technologies being adopted is limited compared to available options. This state of affairs has been attributed to challenges such as lack of infrastructure, librarians’ skills, and a negative attitude towards change. The study recommends a multidimensional approach to the application of emerging technologies in Nigerian academic libraries
References
Abayomi, O.K., Adenekan, F.N., Abayomi, A.O., Ajayi, T.A. and Aderonke, A.O., 2021. Awareness and perception of the artificial intelligence in the management of university libraries in Nigeria. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve, 29(1-2), pp.13-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/1072303X.2021.1918602
Adeoye, A.A., Oladokun, T.A. and Opalere, E., 2022. Readiness for digital reference services: a survey of libraries in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. International Information & Library Review, 53(4), pp.306-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2020.1841526
Agbetuyi, P. A., & Isah, A. (2021). The Implementation of Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Academic Libraries: A Comparative Analysis between Developed and Developing Countries [Conference session]. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on ICT for National Development and Its Sustainability, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria- 2021. http://repository.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6232/1/524-13-1799-1-10-20210312.pdf
Akande, F.T. and Popoola, S.O., 2022. Awareness and Use of Electronic Resources as Predictors of Scholarly Publication Output of Researchers in National Agricultural Research Institutes in Nigeria. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, 40(1), pp.18-pages. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-mousaion-v40-n1-a9
Arumuru, L. 2020. Re-Positioning The 21st Century University Libraries In Nigeria: The Role Of Librarians And The Need For Innovative Services For Sustainable Development. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). https://digitalcommons. unl. edu/libphilprac/3936
Bakare, O.D., 2023. Emerging Technologies as a Panacea for Sustainable Provision of Library Services in Nigeria. In Global Perspectives on Sustainable Library Practices (pp. 1-21). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/emerging-technologies-as-a-panacea-for-sustainable-provision-of-library-services-in-nigeria/313365
Bawack, R. and Nkolo, P., 2018. Open access movement: Reception and acceptance by academic libraries in developing countries. Library Philosophy and Practice, pp.0_1-24. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/188141049.pdf
Calvert, Scout, and Mary L. Kennedy. "Emerging Technologies for Research and Learning: Interviews with Experts." 2020. https://doi.org/10.29242/report.emergingtech2020.interviews
Das, A. and Banerjee, S., 2021. Optimising Research Support Services through Libraries: A Review Of Practices. Library Philosophy and Practice, pp.1-43. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5515/.
Data mining tool. (2021, November 1). EDUCBA. https://www.educba.com/data-mining-tool/
Hagiwara, Y., Ishita, E., Watanabe, Y. and Tomiura, Y., 2022. Identifying Scholarly Search Skills Based on Resource and Document Selection Behavior among Researchers and Master’s Students in Engineering. College & Research Libraries, 83(4), p.610. https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/download/24257/33409
Keller, A. 2015. Research Support in Australian University Libraries: An Outsider View. Australian Academic and Research Libraries, 46(2), 73–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2015.1009528
Library guides: Tools for research: Research data management. (2022, March 2). Library Guides at University of Washington Libraries. https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/tools/rdm
Momoh, E.O. and Folorunso, A.L., 2019. The evolving roles of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). https://www.academia.edu/download/60614755/fulltext20190916-78160-m1rokp.pdf
Moruf, H.A. and Dangani, B.U., 2020. Emerging library technology trends in academic environment-an updated review. Science World Journal, 15(3), pp.13-18. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/swj/article/view/202961
Okagbue, H.I., Opanuga, A.A., Oguntunde, P.E., Adamu, P.I., Iroham, C.O. and Adebayo, A.O., 2018. Research output analysis for universities of technology in Nigeria. Int. J. Educ. Info. Technol, 12, pp.105-109. . https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hilary-Okagbue/publication/328364925_
Oluwasanu, M.M., Atara, N., Balogun, W., Awolude, O., Kotila, O., Aniagwu, T., Adejumo, P., Oyedele, O.O., Ogun, M., Arinola, G. and Babalola, C.P., 2019. Causes and remedies for low research productivity among postgraduate scholars and early career researchers on non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. BMC research notes, 12(1), pp.1-6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-019-4458-y.
Orji, S. and Anunobi, C.V., 2019. Citation Frequency of Research Output of Academic Librarians in Federal Universities in South Nigeria Using Google Scholar. Journal of Library and Information Sciences, 7(2), pp.1-9. http://jlisnet.com/journals/jlis/Vol_7_No_2_December_2019/1.pdf .
Owolabi, K.A., Okorie, N.C., Yemi-Peters, O.E., Oyetola, S.O., Bello, T.O. and Oladokun, B.D., 2022. Readiness of academic librarians towards the use of robotic technologies in Nigerian university libraries. Library Management. Vol. 43 No. 3/4, pp. 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-11-2021-0104
Panda, S. and Chakravarty, R., 2022. Adapting intelligent information services in libraries: A case of smart AI chatbots. Library Hi Tech News. Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 12-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-11-2021-0081.
Rotimi Adesina Egunjobi, D., Ogunniyi, S.O. and Ajakaye, J.E., 2022. Challenges and Prospects of Reference Services in Federal University Libraries in South-West, Nigeria.Library Philosophy and Practice - Electronic Journal 7155 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/7155/
Rotolo, D., Hicks, D. and Martin, B.R., 2015. What is an emerging technology?. Research policy, 44(10), pp.1827-1843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2015.06.006
Saibakumo, W.T., 2021. Awareness and acceptance of emerging technologies for extended information service delivery in academic libraries in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, pp.1-11. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5266/
Sewell, C. and Kingsley, D., 2017. Developing the 21st century academic librarian: the Research Support Ambassador Programme. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 23(2-3), pp.148-158. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13614533.2017.1323766
Sewell, C. and Kingsley, D., 2017. Developing the 21st century academic librarian: the Research Support Ambassador Programme. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 23(2-3), pp.148-158. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13614533.2017.1323766
Sheik, M., & Olugbenga, C. O. (2019). A study on emerging technology trends in academic libraries: an overview. ICRLIT–2019: e-Proceedings on Reshaping of Librarianship, Innovations and Transformation, 163-168.
Wan, S., 2022, March. Developing an Engati-Based Library Chatbot to Improve Reference Services. In Innovation and Experiential Learning in Academic Libraries: Meeting the Needs of Twenty-first Century Students . Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Sophia Vivian Adeyeye, Taofeek Abiodun Oladokun
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.
The Creative Commons-Attribution-Noncommercial License 4.0 International applies to all works published by IASSIST Quarterly. Authors will retain copyright of the work. Your contribution will be available at the IASSIST Quarterly website when announced on the IASSIST list server.
