ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS DIGITAL COMPETENCE IN PROMOTING ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated assessment of Information Professionals’ digital competence in promoting access to electronic information resources in Academic libraries in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses were used for the study. Descriptive research design was used with a population of 50 information professionals in the 3-university institutions in Rivers State. Census sampling technique was used. An 18-item questionnaire titled: Assessment of Information Professionals’ Digital Competence in Promoting Access to Electronic Information Resources Questionnaire” (AIPDCPAEIRQ) was used. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to obtain 0.78 reliability. Mean and standard deviation were employed for the analysis of the research, while z-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses. Result revealed that, the digital competences’ skills of Information Professionals need in promoting access to electronic information resources are a strong digital literacy/information skill, technical proficiency, sound management skills on preservation of electronic materials and knowledge of best practices in digital asset management. Some challenges were revealed to include technological complexity, lack of access to formal training programmes, resistant to embracing new digital technological tools and lack of financial support etc. Conclusively the effective promotion of access to these resources relies heavily on the digital competence of information professional. The study recommended that Information Professionals should provide user support and training programmes to help patrons navigate electronic resources effectively. This includes offering workshops, tutorials, and one-on-one consultations to teach users how to search, access, and evaluate digital content.