Librarians participation in professional development workshops using Zoom in Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which librarians in Nigeria engaged in professional development workshops during the COVID-19 era. The study adopted a survey method using an online questionnaire. Factors such as saving money, the free nature of workshops, eliminating travel risk, in the comfort of the home, and providing an opportunity for all were mentioned as the benefits of participating in online workshops using Zoom. Buying data bundle, lack of computer/Android phone/smartphone, ignorance or lack of awareness of up-coming workshops, lack of time, power outage, nonchalant attitude towards technology, and network failures were identified as challenges of participation. The Zoom platform can be adopted for organizing workshops and meetings, and for teaching and learning in the post COVID-19 era.

E-Learning for Continuing Professional Development of University Librarians: A Systematic Review

“…Absence of a central repository, broadband access issues, lack of quality control mechanisms, technology's explosive expansion, incessant power outages, network failures, funding shortage, reliance upon conventional styles, lack of awareness, lack of time for competence development, and work load all created barriers to adopt online professional learning courses to equip manpower with innovative learning and expertise to implement the latest services to facilitate the users. These findings are related to the study-results investigated by Klein and Ware; Cooke; Anasi and Ali; Hendrix and McKeal; Anene [3,8,11,18,39].…”

“…Other factors influencing e-learning for CPD of university information professionals included life-long learning [35]; provision of free online tools [8]; free higher education to all [10]; affordability [23]; open access resources, information exchange, flexibility of hour, effectiveness, convenience [39]; 24/7 accessibility, virtual instructional activities, provision of life-long skills, e-learning via ubiquitous manner-anywhere, anytime, global accessibility, instantaneous educational opportunities [40]; extraordinary development of communication technologies [25]; short life of formal degree [11]; empowerment [41]; and saving of money, and avoiding travel costs [18].…”

“…Broadband access issue, browser problem, absence of a central repository, and lack of quality control mechanisms caused barriers for the successful adoption of e-learning programs for continued professional development of university librarians [3,8,35]. In addition, low bandwidth, technology's explosive expansion, incessant power outage, and network failures created hurdles for the success of e-learning courses [18,25,37,39].…”

“…Nonchalant attitude towards technology, reliance upon conventional models, resistance to change, lack of awareness, lack of time for competence development, and lack of confidence in using new technologies caused failure in successful implementation of e-learning activities for the library workforce performing services in the universities [18,35,39].…”

“…E-learning programs, including webinars and online workshops, are a cost effective means to engage early-career library professionals in continuing professional development [12,13]. Institutional changes in higher education due to rapid technological advancements stimulate information professionals towards professional development [14] for enhancing learning and skills to provide smart library services [15][16][17][18].…”