ABSTRACT
The goal of this study was to investigate the connection between smart library tools and E-library services in private university in Edo state. This study only applies to Wellspring University, Benson Idahosa University, and Igbinedion University, three private universities in Benin City, Edo State. The study's six objectives and six research questions were created to serve as its direction. More precisely, the theories framed to direct this study were the Servqual theory for the independent variable (e-library services in private universities) and the Fifth law of Library Science, a theory put forth by Ranganathan in 1931 that outlines the fundamentals of operating a Library System for the dependent variable (smart library tools). With a population of 10,500 students and 100 library staff members from Wellspring University, Benson Idahosa University, and Igbinedion University, correlational survey design was adopted as the research design for this study. A sample size of 200 students and library staff members was purposively chosen. However, the researcher-structured "Smart Library Tools and E-Library Services at Private University in Edo State Questionnaire (SLESPUESQ)" questionnaire served as the tool for data collection. However, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the data collected for this study. The findings of this research revealed that smart library tools (Radio Frequency Identification, Artificial Intelligence, mobile kiosk, and mobile apps) had a significant impact on e-library services in private universities in the state of Edo State. In order to improve E-library services in academic libraries at private universities in Edo state, it is suggested that stakeholders and library management invest in smart library tools.
Key words: Smart library tools, E-library service, private universities.
