Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Records Management for Effective Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in records management for effective service delivery in federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria. The aim of the study was to identify the types of ICT tools available for records management in federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria, determine the extent to which university libraries in Nigeria have planned for records using ICTs, investigate the extent federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria have developed the skills of librarians for records management, ascertain the extent to which federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria have utilized ICTs to organise records, ascertain the benefits of using ICTs in records management by federal university in South-East Nigeria, find out the challenges associated the use of ICTs in records management in federal university libraries in South East Nigeria, among others. Seven research questions were formulated to guide this study. literature was reviewed under Conceptual framework, Theoretical framework, as well as empirical studies. The instruments for data collection were questionnaire and observation checklist. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, standard deviations, and frequency tables, version 20 of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The criterion of judgement was based on the modified e-Records Assessment Guide/benchmark developed by the International Records Management Trust/World Bank in 2004 which provide as follows; any items or statement in the research instrument that scores 0.50-3.49(50-69%) was rated very low, 1.50-2.49 (30-49%) was rated low, 2.50-3.49 (50-60%) was rated high, and 3.50-4.00 (70-100%) was ranked very high The study was face validated by three research experts, two in Library and Information Science Department and one from Measurement and evaluation. Method of Data Collection. The researcher and the research assistant personal administer the questionnaire to the respondent which were dully completed and collected. The study found among others that ICT Facilities were available in federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria; the extent to which the facilities were utilized for records management was high; the extent to which university libraries have planned for records, organized for records and developed skill for librarians for records management were rated high. All the suggested factors that hinders effective records management and strategies for enhancing the use of ICTs in records management in the library were accepted. The following were the recommendations. University management should provide adequate security for the sustainable of available ICT tools and make provision to acquire more, University management library should continually increase the skills of ICT personnel through planning and organising records in the libraries through increase motivation of their staff, so as to be effective and efficient in their performance, University libraries management should as a matter of urgency, provide constant electricity supply to enable the records manager to always store and update their library records on their ICTs, Digital roadmap should be guide effective and efficient records management for sustainable development in university libraries in South-East Nigeria, Seminars Conferences and Workshops on the use of ICT for records keeping should be organised regularly by library management for both professional and para-professional staff to kept abreast of current advancements in ICT, Procurement of latest ICT architecture and facilities for proper records management. This could be done by liaising with software vendors for more information about the latest tools. With this findings, the state of the use of ICTs in records management for effective service delivery in federal university libraries in South-East Nigeria has been exposed.