DIGITAL TRAINING REQUIREMNTS FOR CURRENT AWARENESS SERVICES (CAS) IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN BENUE STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the digital training requirements for Current awareness services in the University Libraries in Benue State. Two specific objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 190 Library staff from 3 university libraries in Benue State, Nigeria (Joseph Sarwua Tarka University Makurdi, Benue State University, Makurdi, and University of Mkar, Mkar). All the 190 library staff from the three Universities were used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire titled “Assessment of Digital Training Requirements for Service Delivery in University Libraries” (ADTRSDUL). Three experts validated the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was established using Cronbach Alpha method and a reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. Data collected was analyzed using Means and Standard Deviation to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that librarians possessed skills such as searching network databases among others for information service (IS) in University libraries in Benue State.  The Findings of the study also revealed that librarians required digital training skills such as Effective use of social networking among others for Current Awareness Services (CAS) in University libraries in Benue State. The study concluded that there are a plethora of digital training requirements for current Awareness Services in the University libraries in Benue State, Nigeria. Recommendations were made that Librarians should take training seriously to acquire digital skills required for current awareness services for effective information service delivery in the University libraries in Benue State. The study established that Librarians required digital training for information service delivery particularly Current Awareness Services (CAS) for service delivery in University libraries in Benue State. In conclusion, University libraries without a doubt have moved to a trend of the digital economy through rich digital skills, resources, and services.