PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS AND CHALLENGES OF ICT RESOURCES’ USE IN SERVICE DELIVERY AMONG LIBRARIANS IN SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Abstract

The study investigates the perceived effectiveness and challenges of ICT resources’ use in service delivery among librarians in Special Libraries. The study adopted a survey research design guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. The population of the study comprised all 53 librarians working in special library. The researchers adopted a census sampling technique, since the population was small and manageable; all 53 librarians were included as the sample of the study. One rating scale titled “Effectiveness and challenges of ICT resources use in Special Libraries” (ECIRUSL) was used as the instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by specialists in Library and information science. The rating scale was subjected to a reliability test using Cronbach alpha statistics which yielded a coefficient of 0.71. The research questions are answered using mean and standard deviations while the hypotheses were tested using one sample z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents perceived ICT resources to be very effective in their service delivery in private libraries (mean = 3.25). The major challenges impeding the use of ICT include inadequate funding, poor maintenance culture, and low ICT literacy skills among librarians, among others. Based on these findings, the study concludes that effective utilization of ICT resources significantly enhances library service delivery; however, addressing challenges such as funding, maintenance, and capacity building is essential for optimal ICT integration in private libraries. The researchers recommend among others that Management of special libraries should organize vigorous trainings for their staff on ICT skills.