INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON THE MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research examined the Influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the Management of Information Resources in University libraries in Benue State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised (223) library staff. Two research questions were generated and two null hypotheses formulated and tested. Census sampling technique adopted and all the 223-library staff were used. Influence of Information and Communication Technology on the Management of Information Resources Questionnaire (IICTMIRQ) was used as instruments for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test and chi-square will be used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that: staff competence significantly affects library resource management in the universities. It was further found out that ICT utilization substantially impacts library resource management in the studied universities. Based on the findings, it was concluded that ICT staff competence and the utilization of ICT facilities have a significant influence on the management of library information resources in university libraries in Benue State. Competent staff and effective ICT application enhance efficiency, accessibility, and the overall quality of resource management, thereby improving service delivery and supporting academic activities within the libraries. It was therefore recommended among others that library management should provide continuous professional development and hands-on training for ICT staff to strengthen both fundamental and advanced digital competencies, including specialized skills such as digitization and digital repository management, to enhance the effective management of library information resources