Title: Acquiring Digital Skills for Effective Service Delivery of EResources by Library Professionals in Public Higher Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria
Author(s): Ijeoma F. Mbagwu
Publication Year: 2023; Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 77-85

Acquiring digital skills by librarians in public higher institutions for effective service delivery in Imo State, Nigeria were examined with the view to ascertain the various digital skills possessed by the librarians, determining the ways of acquiring the skills and the challenges to the acquisition of the skills. The study adopted descriptive survey design, the study covered four (4) public higher institutions in Imo State with population of 98 professional and paraprofessional librarians. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 4 higher institutions in Imo State. Rating scale was adopted as instrument for data collection which was in line with the research questions. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study revealed that the most digital skills possessed by the librarians is having knowledge of computer operation , creating new word process document and social networking. The results also showed that colleague’s assistance is the most method of acquiring digital skills, followed by attending computer training, self study and use of diverse technologies. More so, the result showed that poor ICT infrastructures, lack of funds and lack basic skills in the use of ICT, poor internet connectivity and telecommunication, as well as nondigital library course in the LBS curriculum are seen as challenges in acquiring digital skills. The research therefore concluded that all librarians in institutions of higher learning should as a matter of necessity acquire different digital skills for effective service delivery. The study recommended that Government and management of higher institutions should provide funds for training and re-training of librarians for effective services delivery in institution of higher learning.