APPLICATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY BY LIBRARY STAFF FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on the application of cloud computing technology by library staff for service delivery in university libraries in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 140 library staff and there was no sample size because the population was relatively small and manageable. The instrument for data collection was a self-developed Questionnaire and Chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. For internal consistency, the instrument was trial tested on 30 librarians from university of Abuja which is outside the study area and data obtained was subject to reliability analysis using Cronbach Alpha method. The overall reliability coefficient of 0.93 was realized and adopted for the study. Frequency, mean, and standard deviation were used for data Analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), WorldCat, Koha ILS, Polaris SLO among others were the types of cloud computing technology used by library staff. Also, the finding revealed that, library staff in the university apply OCLC services to locate preserve print and electronic library materials and possess skills to maneuverer all cloud computing services, use digital devices such as laptops, network with other colleagues via computers etc for the applying of cloud computing technology for service delivery in university libraries in Nasarawa State. It was recommended, among others, that there is a need for regular library staff training to update their knowledge of the application of cloud-computing technology in university libraries.