Assessing the Use of Innovative Tools for Library Instruction and Services in Federal University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the adoption of innovative tools for library instruction and services in Federal University libraries in South-South zone of Nigeria. The study cut across six federal university libraries in the zone with a total population of 93 academic librarians. The findings revealed that fewer numbers of the respondents have adopted and used innovative tools for library instruction and services which majority of the respondents are yet to use innovative tools for instruction and service delivery. It also showed that the frequency of use of the tools were staggered with social media and text messaging being the ones that are used daily, email was used on a weekly basis while Library Blog, website and OPAC were mostly used on quarterly basis and a general none use of radio broadcasting. The findings further indicated that inadequate use of innovative tools would affect patronage and adequate delivery of library instruction and services to the library patrons who are in different geo-political locations. The researchers recommended the need for library management in federal universities in the South-South zone of Nigeria to explore viable innovative tools for ilibrary instruction and services,
 Keywords: Innovative tools, Library instruction, Library services, Librarians, University libraries

Parent Institutions and Innovations in School Library Management in Nigeria: A Conceptual Review

“…Omeluzor, Ugochi, & Izuakolam [22] suggest the use of Skype reference, library wikis, customized browser toolbars, interactive FAQ knowledgebase and video reference kiosks. The authors emphasize that the integration of these innovative tools enhances instruction and services to library patrons.…”