A Survey on Technical Skills Among Library Professionals

Abstract

Libraries play a central role in guaranteeing the success of tertiary institutions and research. The essential undertakings of libraries comprise collection development, reference services, document delivery, user education, provision of access to resources held by a library, other libraries, or a group of libraries, and access to electronic information resources. With the growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), libraries now make available cost-effective and dependable access to information using information and communication technology tools which have enabled libraries to overcome barriers of distance and time. The introduction of technical skills in libraries makes accessible information from anywhere, anytime, and at any source. Effective use of technical skills for library functions and services requires skills in the use of technical skills. This study examined the relationship between technical skills possessed by librarians in higher institution Libraries. A descriptive survey method was used and a questionnaire was employed to gather data from 94 librarians in the 10 selected federal and state-owned selected higher institution libraries. The study revealed a large percentage of the respondents 74 (70.5%) considered their technical skills above average. The respondents regarded technical skills as crucial to the promotion of patronage of higher institution libraries because technical skills can be used to promote libraries to several users (m=4.33). It was also revealed that technical skills can facilitate the quick delivery of information and knowledge about the library (m=4.21).