GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper was to assess innovative technology and its implications on library services in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. Expost-facto design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State. The population of the study consisted of librarians and students of library science in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 10 librarians and 50 library science students from University of Uyo; 2 librarians and 7 library science students from College of Education; 3 librarians and 10 library science students from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic; 2 librarians and 15 library science students from Federal Polytechnic giving the total of 97 respondents that constituted the sample size used for the study. The instrument titled “Technology and Library Services Questionnaire (TLSQ)” was used for data collection. Face and contents validation of the instrument was carried out by one expert in test, measurement and evaluation to ensure that the instrument was accurate for the study. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the level of the reliability of the instrument. In this case the average reliability coefficient obtained was 0.84 and this was high enough to justify the use of the instrument. The researcher subjected the data generated for this study to appropriate statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics for answering the research questions while simple regression in testing the hypothesis. The test for significance was done at 0.05 alpha level. As technologies evolve from time to time, new tools have been discovered to provide optimal services in minimal time. Presently, libraries are experiencing a change in the mode they function and their service delivery process. Information technology is playing a critical role in the dissemination of services in the library. Today’s library services are blended by various kinds of innovative technologies. Base on the findings of the study, it was concluded that big data technology, library mobile apps, and virtual reality technology significantly affect the dissemination of library services in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. One of the recommendations made was that there is need to deliberately work towards the realisation of modern library system using advanced technological tools capable of showcasing the capability of modern technologies to transform libraries and information centres.

KEYWORDS:        Innovative technology, Library service, Tertiary institutions and Rivers State.