CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The purpose of universities is to advance learning, teaching, and research. In the context of higher education, the role of universities is to produce intellectuals who are capable of independent learning and research. For independent learning and research to occur, universities rely heavily on information resources and services provided by libraries. These resources and services are essential for making society more educated (Crowley & Gilreath, 2012).
Academic libraries play a critical role in supporting the functions of universities by acquiring the necessary resources for teaching, learning, research, and service. In the modern era, information technology has significantly transformed traditional library methods and practices (Hiller, 2011). It is expected that all technologies used for processing, storing, and communicating data and information in libraries should be managed as an integrated system and used as tools for service delivery. Modern libraries are viewed as service-providing institutions, not only offering access to information but also facilitating its dissemination and fostering interaction (Afolabi and Abidoye, 2013).
The Internet, an integral part of information technology, has become an invaluable asset in education, facilitating learning, teaching, research, and information handling, storage, retrieval, and dissemination (Capron, 2014). It provides worldwide access to information resources and has transformed human culture. Academic libraries have harnessed the Internet's capabilities to enhance their services (Daniel, 2013).
Another essential information technology tool is the printer, which transfers digital text and graphics from a computer onto paper. Printers have a long history, dating back to early forms of duplicating images through stamps and seals (Baker, 2016). Printing has played a crucial role in promoting literacy and improving library services by allowing the mass production of books, newspapers, and other reading materials.
Library Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is another important tool that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It creates a database of library holdings and provides an online catalog to help users identify and find resources easily. The OPAC is the gateway to a library's collection, and it offers bibliographic and holding information for all library materials (Sridhar, 2014).
Photocopiers, also known as copiers or copy machines, make paper copies of documents and visual images quickly and cost-effectively. They use technologies such as xerography to attract and transfer toner particles onto paper. Copiers are encouraged in libraries to avoid the mutilation and theft of library materials (Orr, 2013).
In the academic context, the role of Information Technology in libraries cannot be overstated. It is crucial for libraries, including the University of Uyo library, to utilize Information Technology tools to remain competitive and provide effective services that meet the needs of library users. Therefore, understanding the influence of Information Technology tools on library services accessibility in the University of Uyo library is essential.
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1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the past two decades, the dissemination of library services was primarily carried out through traditional methods. These traditional methods were often cumbersome, slow, and time-consuming, which made information dissemination and accessibility challenging and inefficient. Library users sometimes expressed dissatisfaction with the library's efforts in this regard.
Today, the use of modern computer-based information systems and technology has brought about a significant transformation in the traditional library system. Computers and their peripherals have played a crucial role in ensuring the effective accessibility of information. In the 21st century, the development of computers has revolutionized modern society, and information technology tools have become central to how information is accessed and disseminated.
In the near future, technology is expected to introduce new measures for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of information accessibility, meeting the evolving needs and standards of information usage. However, the University of Uyo library faces new challenges, competitors, demands, and expectations concerning library services accessibility. It is in light of these challenges that this study seeks to investigate the role of information technology tools in improving library services accessibility at the University of Uyo library.
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1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of the study was to investigate information technology tools and library services accessibility in University of Uyo library. Specifically, the study seeks to:
- determine the influence of Internet on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- examine the influence of printer on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- determine the influence of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- determine the influence of photocopier on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were raised to guide the study:
- What is the influence of Internet on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library?
- Does printer exert any influence on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library?
- What is the influence of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library?
- What is the influence of photocopier on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library?
1.5 Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
- There is no significant influence of Internet on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- There is no significant influence of printer on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- There is no significant influence of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
- There is no significant influence of photocopier on library services accessibility in University of Uyo library.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be beneficial to the following group of persons: librarians, library patrons, library management and the researchers.
It will reveal to the librarians the information technology tools meant to enhance library services accessibility by patrons.
It will draw the attention of library patrons to the appropriate information technology tools they can use to satisfy their information needs
It will be an eye opener to library management in the aspect of application of information technology tools to facilitate effective library services accessibility by users.
This study will be useful to researchers who may want to conduct further research on information technology tools and library services accessibility in academic libraries.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of this study is University of Uyo library. The studies scope ascertains the indices of information technology tools (independent variable) such as internet, printer, Online Public Access Catalogue and photocopier and library services accessibility as the dependent variable.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following terms were discussed according to the context of this study.
Information Technology: Information technology is the application of a wide variety of electronic technologies to the information handing activities.
Internet: The internet is an offshoot of Information Technology (IT) that has increasingly become an invaluable asset in education in terms of learning, teaching and research.
Printer: A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the information to paper, usually to standard size sheets of paper.
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC): Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is an electronic catalogue which contains complete bibliographic and holding information of all items in the library.
Photocopier: A photocopier (also known as a copier or copy machine) is an information technology tool that makes paper copies of documents and other visual images quickly and cheaply.
Library Services: Library services ranges from membership registration, acquisition, cataloguing, resource sharing, circulation, inter-library loan, reference services, current awareness services, selective dissemination of information and document accessibility can be offered through the internet.
Accessibility: Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity.
