European Journal of Globalization and Development Research

Transcription

1 ISSN European Journal of Globalization and Development Research University Library Websites in Nigeria: Utilization and Management IBINNAIYE, Dorcas I.

2 University of Library Websites in Nigeria: Utilization and Management Ibinaiye, Dorcas I. * Abstract The paper examines the management and use of academic library websites in Nigerian Universities. The meaning, functions, management and use of academic websites libraries were discussed. The paper also highlighted the importance of library websites to users in academic community and the need for a periodic evaluation in the management and use of library websites in Nigerian universities. It concluded that although there are world best practices in academic libraries web design yet, stakeholder in academic libraries should reach a consensus and come up with a standard policy in compliance with educational policy and targeted primarily towards academic, learning and research development and should be properly managed by a skilled librarian in other to meet the demand of academic and research purposes Keywords: Academic Library Websites, Librarians, Management, Internet, Resources, Database. * [Librarian II (Cataloguing Section)], [Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, P. O. Box , Zaira, Kaduna State, Nigeria][ [email protected]], [ ] JournalsBank.com (2012). ISSN

3 1. Introduction Libraries have existed for thousands of years ago and are thought of as places to gather information and gain knowledge. Websites have become an essential component of library services and to design these websites involved both technical and administrative decision making. The vision of libraries is to serve everyone; therefore, Library websites in academic institutions have become an increasingly large and complex repository of documents in the form of hyperlinked WebPages. The use of websites have granted educational institutions an unprecedented capability and eliminated constraints of time and distance according to (Tang and Thelwall, 2004) Academic Library and Functions According to Denis (2001), library is a collection of books and can be referred to as the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources and services. Collections can be of print, audio and visual materials in numeral formats e.g Maps, prints, document, microform (microfilm/microfiche), CDs, cassettes, video tapes, DVDs, Video games, e-books, audio-books and many other electronic resources. Academic libraries are libraries located on the campuses of colleges and universities and serve primarily the students and faculties of that and other institutions. The major functions of academic libraries are to provide resources and research support for students and faculty of the educational institutions. Management of academic libraries includes basic task such as planning and of acquisitions, classifications of acquired materials such as manuscripts. But in recent years, there has been an increasing use of the internet together and to retrieve data. However, the shift to digital libraries has greatly impacted the way people use physical libraries. A 2003 report by the Open E-book forum found that close to a million e-books had been sold in 2002, generating nearly $8million in revenue. A website is a collection of related web pages containing images, video or other digital assets. A website is posed on a least one web server, accessible via a network such as the internet or a private local area network an internet address known as a Uniform Resource locator. Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia (2011) defines web content as the textual visual or aural content that is encountered as part of the user experience on websites. It may include among other things: such as text, images, sounds, video and animations. A websites may be either a personal websites a commercial websites, a government websites or a non-profit organization websites. Any websites can contain a hyperlink to any other websites, so the distinction between individual sites, as perceived by the user may sometimes be blurred. Websites are accessed using software Interface classified as a user agent. Web pages can be viewed or otherwise accessed from a range of computer based and internet enabled devices of various sizes, including desktop computers, laptops PDAs and cell phones. 226

4 Web contents are the stuff in your Website: These may include documents, data, applications, e- services, images, audio and video files, personal web pages archived, messages and more. Web contents are dominated by the page concept having its beginning in an academic setting, and in a setting dominated by type written pages. The idea of the web was to link directly from one academic paper to another academic paper. 2. The Management and Use of Academic Library Websites Part of the recent developments in higher education is the use of websites in academic libraries. According to Gutenberg (2001), recent developments brought about: web enhanced teaching and learning which has rejuvenated older faculty and has improved student s participation in their own learning, the emergence of librarians as information technology educators that further improved developments in the methods of accessibility to information resources and contents of academic libraries websites. It has also opened up more opportunities for libraries to digitize their resources uploading, manage, upgrade, migrate and emulate contents of library websites. In some cases, this may require alteration of the existing library architecture or the geography of academic libraries constructed within the past few decades. Many institutions have adopted a universal computers access programmes whether through laptops leasing or by other means including Web based library catalog, which offers access to full text materials through links to electronic resources like JSTOR, project muse, first search and so on provides researchers with powerful means of locating sources in any format. The internet itself, though not a library in any conventional sense have added another dimension to almost any search for information. Librarians, students and faculties now have opportunity to cultivate new abilities, sustained by a different kind of library architecture to enhance academic development, to acquire technical and professional skills on ICT for the purpose of management and acquiring more information useful for their carrier and academic development. Lynch (2000) analyses different ways by which library websites can be used to promote library services such as provision of current information about the library and access to online resources, CD-ROM based reference sources such as databases and encyclopedias, a remote access to the library catalogues and other databases created by the library and assisting users to explore the internet. This is an ideal platform for advertising and purchasing products or services. This is actually true an area where utilization of library websites actually have a great impacts. The web is rich in entertainment and also very interactive, full of fun for use such as playing of games, posting of humorous essays or jokes, cartoon and so on. It is agreed that web has become a generic platform for communication via the internet, sending and receiving of mails, participating in bulleting boards and charts rooms discussions, accomplished on-line 227

5 conferencing using white boards and sometimes even two-way audio and video connections. For an institution to achieve these, it must be ready to put in place an effective managerial policy to guide the management and use of academic library resources and to manage the contents, interfaces and design of links to various departmental courses curriculum meant for the learning and research purposes. Coal (1993), described Fayol classical definition of management as; to manage is to forecast and plan, to organize, to command, to coordinate and to control. This means a manager must posses certain requirement that could enable him plan for the organization activities; predict future prospect and possible occurrences, while planning must include disaster plan and not just investment of the establishment and its liabilities alone. In support of the above statement by Coal, Drucker (1993) viewed management as a practice not a science; it is not knowledge but performance. Therefore management has to make decisions about work, people, structures and systems, which was why Fayol classical theories of management emphasized on structures and activities of formal or official organization which entails division of work, establishment of hierarchy of authority, span of control. All these put together will contribute immensely towards the efficiency of management practice, bring progress and focus in the achievement of the organizational goals. The Management of academic library websites involved the ability to integrate new technology that allows digital resources to supplement and expand the library traditional prints holdings. These involved planning for the following: Infrastructure. A new building that can provide space for several facilities that can help the library to fulfil its role as a teacher, learning instruments, adding value to the educational enterprise and to reinforce campus based learning. This will help students become adept users of information technology. Fabunmi (2009) suggested that a proper infrastructure must include telecommunication and servers. Library Website. This is a kind of movable type innovation through which knowledge is created and disseminated, for instance electronic publication and digital networking. These are epoch s equivalent to the printing press. Library catalog. A web based library catalogs, many of which offer access to full-text materials through links to electronic resources like JSTOR, project muse, first search and so on provides researchers with powerful means of locating sources in any format Internet Access. Even though internet is not a library in any conventional sense, but it has added another dimension to almost any search for information. Accessibility to electronic resources or the rich resources in a sustainable manner at times could be a serious challenge due to the high cost of bandwidth and low budgetary power of libraries. Accessibility of libraries to digital resources basically depends on their ability to pay for sustainable amount of bandwidth. 228

6 Personnel Resources. To effectively manage the web resources a qualified skilled librarian who is trained in new technologies especially in the area of text selections, scanning and verification. Employment of experts with web technology skills to support and manage the web resources. Availability of fund to translate contents into digital form and to access the resources. A powerful server, supported by specialized software and personnel. Planning should include an appropriate infrastructure facilities, equipment, and staff expertise, uninterrupted power supply systems, Stabilizers, alternative power backups systems (solar, battery inverter, generator),staff workstations for Online Public Access Catalogue. In addition, use of laptops by students promotes familiarity with information technology and greater use of the library electronic resources. Gbaje (2007) furthermore suggested that web technology skills are needed to maintain web servers that host locally digitized resources. Ashcroft and Watts (2004) observes that Nigerian has an acute shortage of digital systems librarians, information and web technology literate staff in libraries to install and manage technology networks. In support of this, Bazillion, (2001) commented that, in a networked environment, researchers find connectivity indispensable due to the fact that many research materials are available electronically. This necessitates the need for adequate bandwidth to enhance free flow of information and accessibility for students to fulfill electronic course assignments.along with physical facilities, a logistical planning to configure, distribute and administer laptops or desktops computers should be made available for students and lecturers. The use of laptop computers can help promote critical thinking skills in the context of online research, selection and evaluation. With students accessibility to use of laptops, they don t have to be in the laboratory or libraries all the time to carry out their course assignment, they could be in the comfort of their home to do whatever they want, even though some may be carried away with recreations and aesthetic values embedded in the configuration, but that notwithstanding the values and benefits are worth more. Scherer (1996), advices that the arrival of electronic information products doesn t mean an end to libraries as institutions even though a new kind of library services is certainly evolving. Certainly, the use of information technology resources is simply to complement an existing traditional structure. Scherer further suggested ways by which academic libraries can add value to the educational process: By broadening and improving access to electronic information sources. Provision of special facilities and equipment such as high-end workstations and interactive TV connections. Assisting faculty in integrating technology into their teaching and research activities so as to turn out youths who are productive and functional in the society and practically self dependent. Maintaining a high level of staff expertise concerning developing information systems. Every 229

7 information system resources acquired, staff must be trained to handle and make effective use of it for the benefits of the university community Helping students distinguish between web surfing and electronic research and providing an atmosphere in which technology enhances education. 3. The Importance of Library Websites to Users in Academic Community. No doubt use of academic library websites has brought a tremendous improvement to academic development in many years. There are best practices in the development of academic library websites in terms of contents, interfaces, graphic designs and links to different resources of the library resources, catalogs, OPAC systems and many more. The importance of library websites was great over the years based on comments of users of library websites resources. According to Megan (2010), he commented that one great thing about library websites is that it allows media specialist to connect with their users 24 hours a day. She also retreated that this allows students access at the point of need and just in time rather than just in case. The idea is that users need to be able to get to what they need from the websites and the distinctions are that contents of the resources on the web are the focal point. There are opportunities of getting tips for organizing the websites and maximizing the contents. More so, there are many great ideas for potential tools such as Wordle, LibGuides, Blogging, Wikis and etc. Furthermore, library websites enhances global participation and therefore must be interactive, where patrons can engage in discussions with librarians and also incorporate new ideas and innovations into the site rather than just read it and look at it. Also, it is possible to make the websites more interactive by having a link to an online book club. Library websites is a gateway in the provision and dissemination of electronic information resources. However, library websites should be able to create avenue for student users to actually visit departmental web resources to the extent that if students missed a lecture, they should be able to link to the lecturers webpage, read the lecture note, copy assignment, submit assignment to lectures and make comments about particular topics and even give their own contributions at the end of the day not miss out anything. 4. The Need for Evaluation of Websites in Academic Libraries Part of the reasons for the evaluation of websites in academic libraries is the need for periodic assessment of content and resources of library websites. This is to improve the quality of service as well as to carry out the following: To decide whether an internet information source is valid enough and are in compliance with required policy of education, capable of enhancing academic, learning and research as well as be in compliance with departmental course curriculum development of academic institutions before it is linked to a resource guide or library websites. 230

8 To provide qualitative, appropriate information resources that can meet information needs of users. Accessibility to relevant information may prevent users from making wrong interpretation or making wrong decision that probably involve financial, health, environment and life in general. To enable library stakeholders and policymakers create a conducive environment for withdrawal of outdated information resources from the library websites and to effectively manage, upgrade, migrate and emulate contents of the library websites. It is agreed that there are world best practices in academic libraries websites design, yet there are evidences of disparities in quality of contents, interface, graphics designs and links in compliance to required standards. There is need for a consensus in standard and policy to follow. Ability to access educational resources on the web weather in or outside the campus can also increases scholastic opportunities for users, that is why it is the obligation of academic institutions to support libraries to enable users opportunity to have access to their resources and services. 5. Conclusion In conclusion, the use of academic library websites for academic, research, learning and developmental purposes is not to replace any other system but to complement them. It is therefore concluded that university management should not only invest in developing library websites, but also to manage effectively both the contents and human resources so as to meet international standards and the needs or demands of the users. However, there is need for trained and experienced library staff to skilfully handle the uploading and maintenance of resources on the academic library websites. A specialist training is also needed to keep up with the changing standard of technology. 6. Recommendation Academic library websites is an online repository of knowledge for academic research, development and recreation purposes as well as means of advertisement and creation of awareness, efforts should be made to upgrade the intellectual contents to meet required academic standard. Academic library websites needs periodic evaluation or assessment to enable library management update contents of the websites regularly to meet the needs of academic, learning and research development and standards while obsolete information be removed. There is need for uniform policy to guide online information resources, web based products interfaces to be in compliance with academic, research and learning. This will serve as a basis for evaluation of online databases, indexing, and article citations, abstract and full texts. There is need for efficient management policy which must include training of librarians to acquire technical skills in management of web resources and to ensure that web contents are periodically revised and easily accessible. 231

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