AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INTERNET RESOURCES FOR EFFECTIVE LIBRARY SERVICES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.
1.1 Background of the study
The Internet, sometimes known as the net, originated as a collection of text-only materials aimed for scientists, universities, and certain government agencies. However, the introduction and quick expansion of the World Wide Web (commonly known as the Web) changed how information was presented on the Internet. The Web is a global network of interconnected computer files that are linked to one another. It allows for the inclusion of multimedia, such as images, moving visuals, and sound, in addition to text. Millions of web sites, or collections of information at particular electronic addresses, make up the Internet. Web pages, in turn, include multimedia or text-only material on Web sites. Web sites and pages are stored on computers that are linked to the internet (The World Book Encyclopaedia 2008). The internet is the result of a collaboration between the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense's ARPANET program (NSF). In 1984, the National Science Foundation (NSF) began creating national supercomputer centers to offer high-speed computing for research at significant research institutions, including numerous universities. These supercomputers might be used to conduct some of the world's most cutting-edge research (Rubin 2000). The internet, according to Falaiye and Sturges (2003), is a meta network, or network of networks, that connects a worldwide agglomeration of computer resources for public access. It started out as a government-funded academic and research network, but its extraordinary expansion has attracted a large number of commercial and corporate users. The client/server concept is often used in internet interactions between computers. The server is a computer system that holds data or resources such as the Internet, electronic mail, databases, software files, chat channels, and so on. Feathers and Sturges also indicated that in September 1999, the number of internet users was expected to reach 195 million, with projections of exceeding 300 million by 2005. These users utilize commercial INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS to access the internet (ISPs). According to OKoye (2004), the internet expands external connections, makes current knowledge accessible, fosters experimentation, and facilitates human-machine interaction. The word "internet" refers to an electronic network that connects thousands of computer networks. The internet's popularity has exploded in recent years, and it is now accessible in over a hundred nations (World Almanac 1999). According to the Emerging Technologies Research Group, over three-quarters of Internet users consider the internet necessary, and 60% of those who use it for business use it on a regular basis (Emerging Technologies Research Group 1997). An additional 55 million individuals said that they plan to start using the internet in the next year or that they would want to learn more about it. This indicates that the number of users in the United States is expected to increase significantly in the near future (Emerging Technologies Research Group 1997). Internet facilities must be supplied and applied to all operations and services for academic libraries in Nigeria to stay relevant in the twenty-first century. The internet will be the foundation of all growth cycles in the twenty-first century, it must be stressed. According to Ajileye and Joseph (2002:58), "any library that wishes to contribute its quota to such progress 'needs to' embrace internet and its applications for service delivery." As a result, academic libraries must be sufficiently prepared to meet the difficulties posed by the internet. Another component of Internet service, according to Falaiye (2005:50), is literature search inside a certain library. Sangowusi (2004) agreed that "giving the correct information in the right form and at the right time to suit users' demands has long been viewed as an essential goal in information and communication technologies (ICT) to library services," According to Ajayi (2001), various technologies provide diverse line horizons, job designs, and capabilities, prompting the development of structures and management styles that are appropriate for the technology and its culture. They went on to say that network advancements have revolutionized means of communication, and that a librarian may now quickly connect into services, systems, and information that were before either unavailable or unknown from his desktop. The researchers found that, at certain phases of human growth, information technologies evolve from one level to the next, boosting humanity's welfare and services. Personal computers, internet connection, Electrical Mail Services, Facsimile transmission, Networks, and CDROM services are examples of ICTs that are used to create, acquire, store, process, and communicate information today. According to Ajileye (2002), access to information processed via the internet is instantaneous and can be accessed across large distances regardless of where the information is processed once you are linked to the internet. Internet services must be given and applied to all library operations and services in order for libraries to stay relevant in the twenty-first century.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The use of Internet facilities in libraries ideally enhances operations and services such as cataloguing, collection development, Serials, Circulation, Reference Services, and Inter-Library Loan/Cooperation, by simplifying difficult and time-consuming tasks, disseminating information to users efficiently and effectively, and managing large amounts of information. The term "information and communication technology" (ICT) refers to the technology that is used to handle data, such as multi-media and the internet, as well as devices like video, cameras, and mobile phones. The current high expectation for excellent information service delivery by well-informed users of university libraries throughout the world has put a lot of pressure on library staff to be ICT literate as a matter of necessity (John, Izang & Akorede, 2015). According to research, most people start their information searches on the internet, using search engines like Google, Wikipedia, and others, rather than utilizing the library's WebPAC or Card Catalogue. A trip to the library is superfluous and a waste of time for these individuals. This has created a significant difficulty in academic libraries. It is in this vain that this study therefore seeks to access the availability and utilization of Internet Resources for effective Library Services in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
1.3 Objective of the study
The primary objective of the study is as follows
1. To evaluate the availability of Internet services in Nigeria tertiary institutions.
2. To examine if internet services is utilized in other for effective library services in Nigerian tertiary institution.
3. To evaluate the challenges faced in using the available internet based resources in Nigerian tertiary institution.
4. To find out how to improve internet resources for effective library services.
1.4 Research Questions
The following questions have been prepared for this study
1) Is there an availability of Internet services in Nigeria tertiary institutions?
2) Is there an internet services is utilized in other for effective library services in Nigerian tertiary institution?
3) What are the challenges faced in using the available internet based resources in Nigerian tertiary institution?
4) how can there be an improvement internet resources for effective library services?
1.5 Significance of the study
This study focuses on the availability and utilization of internet resources for effective library services in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Hence the study will be of benefit to University board as it will expose the need to improve internet resources for effective library service.
The study will be beneficial to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.
1.6 Scope of the study
This study will evaluate the availability of Internet services in Nigeria tertiary institutions. The study will also examine if internet services is utilized in other for effective library services in Nigerian tertiary institution. More so the study will evaluate the challenges faced in using the available internet based resources in Nigerian tertiary institution. Lastly, the study will find out how to improve internet resources for effective library services. Hence the service will be delimited to University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
1.7 Limitation of the study
This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:
just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data
Financial constraint , was faced by the researcher ,in getting relevant materials and in printing and collation of questionnaires
Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher
1.8 Definition of terms
utilization of Internet Resources: that both academics and students are making effective use of the available Internet resources and services to carry out their academic activities.
Library services: an organized collection of printed or other library materials, or a combination thereof
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