INTERNET ADOPTION IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH – EAST NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study investigated internet adoption in four federal university libraries in South East Nigeria. Six research questions were raised to guide the study. The study adopted survey design approach. The population comprises 30 principal librarians and University librarians in the four federal University libraries in South East Nigeria. A total of 27 copies of the questionnaire were returned. Interview was conducted and observation was made on internet facilities to determine the authenticity of the respondent’s responses. Findings reveal that major internet facilities through which the libraries adopt internet include laptops, cybercafé, institutional website, institutional virtual library, desktop computers, wireless fidelity, cable modem, computer networking (local/wide area network), broadband internet, satellite dish and E-mail. The findings equally reveal that the major  purposes of internet adoption among others include sending and receiving mail, chatting, reading news and sports information, downloading music, researching for products and services, downloading images, searching for job online,  cataloguing, video conferencing, sharing information, accessing information on any subject worldwide, accessing online directories and encyclopedia, review of literature and research investigation, sending research article for publication, sending and receiving questionnaire online, collecting research data through  interview, giving and receiving information from users, giving and receiving information from vendors and contacting government agencies and the minors include buying producing online, playing game, banking online, telephone call, and listening to radio. Based on the findings the study recommended that library management should try to educate their staff especially librarians on internet facilities available in the university libraries. It also recommends that internet adoption should be included as part of the academic library services because that will provide libraries the opportunity to guide students better. It will equally help to ameliorate the damages on internet facilities.