LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR INCLUSIVE LIBRARY SERVICES: DRIVING INNOVATION BY WOMEN LIBRARIANS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explored leveraging technology for inclusive library services: driving innovation by women librarians in federal university libraries in South-South Zone of Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised of 76 women librarians in the 9 federal university libraries in South-South Nigeria. Census sampling technique was used in selecting all the 76 women librarians from the nine federal university libraries in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Although, only 60 questionnaires was successfully retrieved and used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Leveraging Technology for Inclusive Library Services Questionnaire (LTILSQ) “. Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation. The reliability of the instrument was done through a pilot test and a coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. Simple percentage analysis was used to answer the research questions. From the analysis findings revealed that digital technologies and electronic library systems was rated the highest percentage of technology used by women librarians to provide inclusive library service. The result also proved that adoption of digital and assistive technologies was the highest innovative strategy adopted by women librarians to enhance accessibility. The result further showed that capacity building and training gaps was the highest challenge faced by women librarians in implementing technology-based inclusive services. Conclusively, leveraging technology for inclusive library services in libraries demonstrates how innovation can provide access to knowledge, bridge digital divides, and foster equity in higher education. It was therefore recommended among others that women librarians should be exposed to trainings that can promote ease of access to learning resources.