UTILIZATION AND BARRIERS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) IN FEDERAL COLLEGES OF EDUCATION LIBRARIES IN THE NORTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Authors: Junaidu Hammanjulde Zubairu & Sagiru Bala Musa

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the extent of utilization and barriers to ICTs in the libraries of the seven Federal Colleges of Education in the north-western part of Nigeria. The study employed a survey research design and a stratified random sample. A sample size of 400 was determined through the Taro Yamane Formula from the target population of 23,890 (libraries staff, teaching and non-teaching staff, and NCE students). Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the mean and standard deviation scores. Findings indicated a moderate extent of utilization of ICT services available in the federal colleges of education libraries in the northwest of Nigeria. Also, the study observed the presence of insufficient ICT facilities, a lack of provision for internet connection, insufficient funding, inadequate power supply, a lack of well-trained personnel, and inadequate ICT facility maintenance in the college as barriers to ICTs in libraries. On this note, the authors recommend the need for sufficient ICT facilities, internet connections, funding; power supplies, trained personnel; and facility maintenance to allow for greater utilization of ICTs in libraries.

Keywords: Information and communication technology, Utilization, barriers, Libraries

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