ICT Skills Of Librarians In Special Library A Case Study Of The University Of Abuja Medical Library

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the influence of ICT skills on its application for library services by special library librarians. The study was guided by four research questions. The population of the study was made up of 13 librarians in the Universities of Abuja Medical Library in FCT Abuja. Percentages and mean scores were used to analyse the data generated. The results for the analysis showed that respondents agreed that most of the IC]' acquired by librarians are skills on networking and I)ata analysis. It was also found out that the ICT literacy skills among the medical librarians arc high. Furthermore, it was found out that formal and informal education, colleagues, self study, training at work place, attending I'!' programme and workshops/seminars are methods of acquiring ICT literacy skills. It also revealed that ICT literacy skills is required to effectively utilize the ICT applications in the library. Financial problems and poor lack of support from institution and other external bodies arc the most serious hindrances to the acquisition of ICT literacy skills as revealed by the study. It equally showed that the use of public awareness platform, applied IC'l' literacy, NGOs and Government collaboration enhance IC]' literacy skills acquisition. Based on the findings it was recommended that librarians should he sensitized on the availability of IC'I' facilities and be encouraged to use them for their personal and library services. Medical librarians should constantly use computer system and the internet in order to attain ICT literacy proficiency, they should also be sponsored abroad for ICT literacy training, library management software should be acquired and installed for efficient and effective library services; funds. IC'i' in irastructure and training opportunities should be provided by the government, NGOs and other stakeholders.