STAFF RETOOLING PRACTICES AS INHIBITING FACTORS FOR INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN AGBOR LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF DELTA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The way information is delivered, accessed and distributed in libraries and information centres across the world has changed in the twenty-first century. The change has led to an improvement in information literacy among library patrons, who are now more adept at using sophisticated search engines for selecting reliable information sources and information and communication technology (ICT) tools for study and research. Survey research method was used for the study. Three research questions were developed. The population for the study comprised twenty four (24) staff in the library/ department of library and information science at university of Agbor, library, Delta State. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection from the respondents based on four (4) point rating scale. A midpoint mean of 2.5 was accepted as positive criterion mean response. The study revealed that seminars, conference/workshops, in-house training, further education, staff orientation, classroom training/ job rotation, mentorship and local and international conference are staff retooling practices identified. The finding further discovered inhibiting factors faced staff retooling practice such as inadequate finance, stringent policy, relevant ICT equipment, such as Internet facilities, projector, interactive board and computers, among others should be made available in classrooms and at the e-library to make teaching and learning of ICT-enabled courses easier among others.