Assessment of Digital Proficiency Levels Possessed Among Federal University Library Staff in North East Nigeria (Published)
This study assessed the digital proficiency levels of Federal University Library Staff in North East Nigeria. Five specific objectives were formulated to guide the study. They are: to find out the level of basic digital proficiency possessed; to find out the level of intermediate digital proficiency possessed; to find out the level of advanced digital proficiency possessed; to find out the challenges associated with digital proficiency possessed; and ascertain the strategies for enhancing digital proficiency levels possessed among library staff and the effectiveness of library operations in federal university libraries in the North-East. In line with the objectives, five research questions were answered. The study adopted a descriptive type of survey research design, using a total of two hundred and forty-seven (247) professional and paraprofessional library staff of the six federal university libraries in northeast Nigeria as the population of the study using purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the collected data using the mean and standard deviation. The study found that basic digital proficiency levels are possessed by the library staff to a very great level (3.50 ±.70). Intermediate digital proficiency levels are possessed by the library staff to a great level (3.35 ±.94). Advanced digital proficiency levels are possessed by the library staff to a great level (3.03 ± 1.04). Insufficiency of ICT facilities, outdated ICT facilities, and the poor state of the library ICT network were strongly agreed to be challenges associated with digital proficiency in federal university libraries in the northeast of Nigeria. Among the other recommendations made are: installation of internet facilities with increased broadband; organizing training programs on ICT skills for the library staff; etc.
Keywords: Assessments, North East Nigeria, digital proficiency skills, federal university library staff