Digitization of Library Resources in Nigerian State Universities: Practices, Challenges and Prospects at Akwa Ibom State University Library
Edidiong Abraham Akpan-Atata *
Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study examined the processes involved in the digitalization of resources in Akwa Ibom State University Library, Nigeria. The paper also examines the success, benefits, challenges and the way forward of the digitization process. The paper also looks at the type and nature of resources selected for digitization, the resources include the human, software/hardware and information resources available in the AKSU Library. The research design used was a purposive sampling technique of the Staff in the System Development unit of the Library. Instruments for data collection were questionnaires, oral interviews and personal observation. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the findings were discussed. The paper recommends that the University Management as a matter of urgency should train and retrain especially all Staff of the Unit, update existing software and acquire recent hardware needed for digitization especially modern scanners for maximum output and solar power facilities to enhance constant power supply.
Keywords: Digitization, electronic resources, academic libraries, D-space, E-journals, database, association of research libraries