DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLS AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN RESEARCH LIBRARIES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was focused on investigating the relationship between digital media tools and service delivery in research libraries in Edo State. Four specific objectives and four research questions respectively were formulated to guide the study. This study adopted the uses and Gratification theory by Katz and Blumber (1974) for the independent variables (digital media tools) and the theory of SERVQUAL in 1985 for the dependent variables (service delivery). Correlational survey design was adopted as the research design; while the population of study was 300 library users and librarians. Convenience sampling technique was used as the sampling technique with a sample size of 150. Questionnaire was selected as the research instrument, and the questionnaire was face validated by the researcher’s project supervisor. A total of 150 questionnaires were issued to the respondents with 145 found valid and useable making a return rate of 97% which is considered significant representative. However, collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation to provide answers to the research questions. The output of the result indicates that all the digital media tools are not associated with service delivery in research libraries in Edo State. The implication of this is that digital media tools such as software, multimedia, websites/webpages, and social media tools are not effectively deployed in rendering information services in the various research libraries. Consequently, it is therefore recommended that the management and stakeholders of research libraries should employ appropriate mechanisms to promote usage and education of digital media tools in service delivery.