ABSTRACT

The study investigated the pattern of library and information science professionals participation in NLA online discussion  forum in Imo State, Nigeria. Met o o ogy. T e survey method was adopted for the study. The target population of this study insists of the library and information science professionals working in the various libraries in Imo State. The purposive sampling technique was used to select thirty-five (35) respondents from the members present in one of her quarterly meetings. Findings, the study reveal that the forum is used mostly on daily basis for the purpose of asking questions for clarification, posting of advertisement, brainstorming on professional issues, soliciting for information from professional colleagues, making inquiries on conference / seminars as well as responding / reacting to postings made by others. Awareness of technological development in the profession and acquisition of new ideas for research amongst others were identified as reasons for using the NLA online forum. High cost of subscribing to the Internet access, limited access to computers / relevant technologies, slow internet connectivity and high cost of relevant technologies {laptops, personal computers} were identified as challenges to effective participation on the forum. The study recommends increase in bandwidth, provision of Internet facilities and orientation / sensitization of library and information science practitioners on the existence of such forum and the benefits derivable from participating in the forum. Practical Implications: Librarians know the value of participating in online discussion forums. Originality/ value of contribution: the originality of this paper is that it has provided empirical evidence on the patterns that library and information science professionals adopts when participating in the NLA online discussion forum in Imo State, Nigeria. . Keywords: Information Professionals, Information Science, Library Science, Online D.scussion, Online Forum, Imo State, Nigeria