Abstract:
The study examined ICT – based strategies for updating information services for agricultural research in Nigerian university libraries. Specifically, the study investigated appropriate ICT-related resources, ICT- based methods currently employed, effectiveness of the methods, extent of application of the ICTs, relevant competencies, problems and appropriate strategies for enhancing the use of ICTs in updating information services for agricultural research in the libraries. All the 89 library and information professional (LIPs), in six federal university libraries selected based on purposive sampling method, were used for the study. The research employed the use of structured questionnaire, code-named, 'UPINSEQ' and an observation checklist as instrument for collecting data. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using the chi-square. The result of the investigation revealed that some of the methods currently employed in updating information services for agricultural research in the libraries are not effective. However, Current Awareness Services, Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) searching, online literature searching and exhibition are some of the methods found to be effective for updating information services for agricultural research. Some of the competencies required for updating the information services include: skills in ICT use in information services, good knowledge of nature and organisation of information, wide knowledge of sources of agricultural information, communication skills, and skills in convention information services. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that funding of information services for agricultural research in university libraries should be improved; online catalogues should be developed and used for accessing the holdings of other libraries; well-planned collection development policies that promote the updating of information services for agricultural research should be developed and strictly implemented; and that adequate Current Awareness Services (CAS) and Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) should be carried out on the information resources.
