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This paper focuses on the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic library operations. In the quest to render fast, effective and efficient services, academic libraries have adopted different technologies in the past. Artificial intelligence technologies is the latest among the technologies currently being introduced in libraries. The technology which is considered an intelligent system, come in the form of robots and expert systems which have natural language processing, machine learning and pattern recognition capabilities. This paper examined the features of AI, the application of AI to library operations, examples of academic libraries with AI technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, the need for AI in libraries and the challenges associated with the adoption of AI in libraries. The study concluded that AI holds a lot of prospects for the improvement of information services delivery in African academic libraries. Consequently, its adoption is a sinequanon to delivering robust library services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Innovations in the 21st century have reshaped learning among people of different age, educational qualification, race, gender and geographical location. As a lifelong behaviour, it is predicted that the future of learning will transcend the conventional learning pattern and walls of the classroom with the introduction of open practices (such as the open educational resources) and the decolonization of educational content for both formal and informal learning. This discussion and many more characterized the 5thAfLIA conference and 7th African Library Summit in Accra, Ghana, as Librarians in Africa gathered to discuss the future of learning, libraries and sustainable development in Africa. The conference provided opportunity for Librarians in Africa to re-think their place in the future of learning and help achieve sustainable development. This paper, therefore, highlights the key activities and issues discussed during the 5th AfLIA Conference and 7th African Library Summit held in Accra, Ghana, from 22nd to 26th May, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated user delinquency as a factor affecting effective service delivery in university libraries in Ekiti and Ondo state of Nigeria. The study helps to examine the various delinquent acts in the library that affect effective service delivery in the library. The descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population of this study was 76 librarians in university libraries in Ekiti and Ondo state of Nigeria. The researchers adopted the entire 76 librarians as the sample size for this study using the complete enumerative sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and 76 copies of questionnaire were administered for this study. In response, 71 copies were retrieved and found useable, thereby indicating a response rate of 93%. The data was analysed using frequencies and percentages. The study contributed significantly to knowledge as it has been able to establish that a significant relationship exist between user delinquency and effective service delivery in the library. The findings indicated that the university libraries carryout wide range of services such as information and referral services, reference services, charging and discharging of library materials, cataloguing and classification of library materials and user education services. User delinquency in university libraries such as theft of library materials, eating in the library, making or receiving calls in the library, refusal to return over-due borrowed books, mutilation of library materials and misuse of library computer systems affects effective service delivery in university library to a high extent. The study recommended that Library staff should adopt a strict security measures to ensure that user delinquency in libraries is reduced to the barest minimum if not completely eliminated in the libraries. The study also recommended that library management should try to acquire multiple copies of information materials in the library while also ensuring that proper and regular library orientation or user education programs is carried out for library users as this will remind them of the rules governing the use of the library (dos and don'ts). The study concluded that adequate attention should be paid to delinquent acts in the library since it affects effective service delivery. Keywords: User delinquency, Service delivery, Library services, Delinquent acts, University libraries in Nigeria, Introduction The primary objective of every university library is to meet the information need(s) of members of the university community and also to help the university to achieve its objective [...]

This study investigated the use of social media for informal scientific communication among librarians in university libraries in South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. The descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population of the study was 284 librarians in university libraries in South-South Nigeria. 284 copies of questionnaire were administered for this study. In response, 202 copies were retrieved and found useable, thereby indicating a response rate of 71%. The data was analysed using mean and frequencies. The hypothesis was testes using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient r. The findings indicated that librarians use social media tools such as Facebook, Whatsapp, twitter, blogs and LinkedIn for the purposes of informal scientific communication. The study also revealed that the extent to which librarians use social media for informal scientific communication is low as there are numerous challenges that hinders the effective usage of social media for informal scientific communication by librarians in university libraries in South-south, Nigeria. The study revealed that there exist a significant relationship between use of social media and informal scientific communication among librarians in university libraries in South-South Nigeria. The study recommends that university librarians and other library administrators should sensitize their library staff on the benefits of using social media for informal scientific communication. Librarians should cultivate the habit of using modern technologies (such as computers, social media tools) for information sharing and dissemination because it is relatively cheaper and allows for wider participation. The study also recommends that libraries should train staff periodically on the use of the different social media in carrying out library services as this will also enhance librarians use social media for the purposes of scientific communication among professional colleagues. Keywords: Social Media, Scientific communication, Informal scientific communication, Use, Librarians, University Libraries, South-South Nigeria, Librarians, Introduction The term communication refers to the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information by speech, signals, writing, or behavior (Yourdictionary.om, 2016). It is also referred to as the act of [...]

The COVID-19 has generated negative emotional responses that could inhibit individual's intention to abide by stipulated preventive measures. Thus, investigation into factors that predicts individual's abidance to these preventive measures is crucial in halting the spread of the pandemic. Consequently, this study applied the cornerstone model to examine Emotional Intelligence (EI) as predictor of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures by librarians in Nigeria. Survey research design of the correlation type was employed to investigate librarians in Nigeria. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection and was considered fit for the study by an overall Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of α = 0.86. The responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the level of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures and EI were high by X ¯ = 31.46 and X ¯ = 67.47 respectively. The four cornerstone dimensions of EI, all had significant positive relationships to the abidance of COVID-19 preventive measures. The EI dimensions also had linear prediction of abidance to COVID-19 preventive measures by 17.3%. The high proportion by which the COVID-19 pandemic spreads can be halted by strict abidance to its preventive measures. Such abidance is stimulated by the emotional intelligence of the librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on technological readiness and computer self-efficacy as predictors of E-learning adoption by Library and Information Science (LIS) students in Nigeria. While literatures have suggested that E-learning adoption is context based, there is a need to examine the predictors of E-learning adoption within the Nigerian context, given the increasing need for E-learning adoption as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result, the study used the descriptive correlational research design to study a group of LIS students in Nigeria. Consequently, LIS students in the Nigeria Library and Information Science Students (NLISS) Facebook group were used for the study. The population of the group was 1,807 at the time the study was conducted and the sample size for the study was 320 randomly selected respondents. The sample size was achieved using the Krejcie, R. V., and D. W. Morgan. 1970. "Determining Sample Size for Research Activities." Educational and Psychological Measurement 30: 607–10 table for determining sample size. Data was collected from the respondents using a closed-ended questionnaire consisting of adapted scales for all the variables. The 223 responses retrieved within a period of three weeks were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings from the investigation showed technological readiness, computer self-efficacy and E-learning adoption of the LIS students is very high. Though technological readiness and computer self-efficacy had relative contribution to E-learning adoption, computer self-efficacy had higher contribution. The study also revealed that significant relationships exist between technological readiness and E-learning adoption, computer self-efficacy and E-learning adoption, technological readiness and computer self-efficacy, while technological readiness and computer self-efficacy had joint prediction on E-learning adoption by LIS students in Nigeria. The study therefore emphasized the need to consider certain individual factors as criteria to the successful adoption of E-learning among LIS students in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of makerspace in a library is one that has re-emphasized the importance of library spaces in today's digitally controlled society. Makerspace as a concept promote creative learning, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills among people and also inspires them to shift from being passive consumers to active creators. The library makerspace provides space for people of all ages to build prototypes, explore new ideas, and build something together, thus enhancing human capacity building among library users. Consequently, this paper theoretically examined makerspace as a library tool for capacity building in developing countries. The concept of makerspace, makerspace tools, and the best practices for effective makerspace were discussed. The paper also explored makerspace as a library tool for capacity building as well as the challenges faced in creating library makerspaces. The paper concluded that library makerspaces provide a safe place for people to feel comfortable creating and using powerful tools without feeling pressured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated library and information services for socio-political rebirth in Nigeria. To this end, three pertinent research objectives were raised to guide the conduct of the study. The survey type of descriptive research design was adopted for a population of 59 library staff from Delta State Library Board, Asaba and Edo State Library Board, Benin City in South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. Using complete enumerative sampling technique, questionnaire was adopted as the tool for data collection. Out of the 59 copies of questionnaire distributed, 55 were retrieved and found useful, constituting 93% response rate. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the vital library and information services for socio-political rebirth in Nigeria include community club and community involvement services, internet access services, research support services, organizing makerspace programmes, awareness and sensitization campaign, readership campaign, computer and entrepreneurial training amongst others. Furthermore, the study showed that majority of the library and information services for socio-political rebirth in Nigeria are rendered less often (occasionally) due to the problems faced by public libraries in services delivery which includes poor funding, epileptic power supply, lack of adequate support from the government, inadequate library infrastructure, poor users' perception of the library and poor reading culture among Nigerians. Thus, the study recommended that the government should have total commitment in the provision of infrastructure, recruitment of competent librarians and improved welfare packages for effective service delivery among public libraries in the state. Therefore, all state government should make library development a top priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent time, herbal information and products have been used to treat different sicknesses and diseases such as arthritis, insomnia, ulcer, diabetes, cough, fever, constipation and cardiovascular problems. Several researches conducted have given birth to the use of different herbal products (such as rosemary Lavenders, sage, curry leaf' Tea bush, Bitter leaf, Thyme, garlic, ginger, Ginseng and Aloe Vera) for medicinal and culinary purposes. Due to the ever increasing importance of herbal research information, there is need for adequate and proper management of herbal research information. This article examines the need for information management in herbal research, characteristics of herbal research information as well as the nexus of trends of information management in herbal research. It discusses and identifies the roles of libraries in the management of herbal research information. The paper also identifies some emerging ICT tools used for information management in herbal research. It concludes that apart from helping to preserve valuable information on herbal medicinal research, proper management of herbal research information also help to lpreserve the indigenous knowledge of the people from being lost as a result of factors such as acculturation and biodiversity. The paper recommends that government and information agencies should draw up strategy for proper management of herbal research information as this will enhance access to quality herbal information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated librarians' awareness of social media usage for informal scientific communication in university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. The study helps to examine the extent of librarians' awareness of social media as well as the various social media tools available to librarians. The descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population of this study was 284 librarians in university libraries in South-south Nigeria. The researcher adopted the entire 284 population as the sample size for this study using the complete enumerative sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and 284 copies of questionnaire were administered for this study. In response, 202 copies were retrieved and found useable, thereby indicating a response rate of 71%. The data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, statistical mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient r. The study contributed significantly to knowledge as it has been able to establish that a significant relationship exist between librarians' awareness of social media usage and informal scientific communication. The findings indicated that study revealed that librarians in university libraries in South-South Nigeria use that Facebook, Whatssap, Google+, twitter and YouTube for informal scientific communication. The study also revealed that librarians are aware of social media usage for informal scientific communication, although the extent of awareness is low. The study recommended that University Librarians and other library administrator should sensitize library staff on the use of different social media tools for informal scientific communication because the world is now a global village. The study also recommended that Library associations should encourage the creation of invincible colleges using different social media tools such as Facebook, whatssap, and blogs as this will promote the use of social media for informal scientific communication among librarians. The study concluded that for there to be an improved informal scientific communication among librarians (especially those in University libraries in South-south), there is need for librarians to be aware and fully adopt social media and other emerging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]