Aiding the Exploration of Artificial Intelligence in Nigerian Academic Libraries in the 21st Century
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The study investigated aiding the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria academic libraries. The study was anchored on four specific objectives which are; to ascertain the aiding the exploration of AI, find out the level of Information Communication Technology competence of library staff, determine the perceived ease of use of AI and factors militating against the adoption of AI. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the study; a structured 4-point online questionnaire was designed for data collection. The population of the study is 250 librarians who are members of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN). The sample size comprises 170 librarians who use computer systems in the day to day running of academic libraries in Nigeria with fair knowledge of AI tools and they were used as the respondents of the study. Data collected were analysed using the frequency count, percentages and mean (x) score. The results were presented in tables with the decision rule of 2.50 and above as accepted while below 2.50 as rejected. The study revealed that institutional support for adoption of AI is low (average mean 2.21), but the level of ICT competence of library staff is high (average mean 3.08). In the same vein, analysis also revealed that there is perceived usefulness of AI to the librarians (average mean 3.05). And the factors militating against the adoption of AI is high (average mean score 2.82). The study also revealed that academic libraries experience certain challenges in adopting AI, such as lack of needed AI tools, inadequate planning etc. Recommendations proffered are; that the heads of libraries should persuade the institution management to equip the library with adequate, up-to-date, and state-of-the-arts ICT facilities to encourage use of AI tools in libraries in Nigeria, they should develop policies on AI adoption tools in libraries and parent institutions should provide adequate AI tools for librarians to work with. These would position librarians to function effectively in the 21st century library services delivery.
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220087553