Key Features:
No. of pages: 62
Abstract:
The study evaluated online reference services through social networking sites in selected university libraries in Nigeria. A survey approach was embarked upon to ascertain patrons’ level of awareness, their preference, the source from which they were informed of the existence of the service, the effectiveness of the service, and their level of satisfaction with online reference service through social networking sites in their libraries. The targeted population for the study includes undergraduates of the University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and the University of Benin with a total population of 64,770. A sample size of 394 was drawn from the study population using a Simple sampling technique. A survey questionnaire was designed for the collection of data.
The instrument was divided into 2 sections. Section (1) of the questionnaire contains the bio-data of the respondents while section (2) handles the subject matter listed in alphabet A-F. It was a close-ended questionnaire. Each question asked in section two of the questionnaire was tailored toward answering the research questions in order to achieve the objective of the study. The findings reveal that many patrons are aware of the fact that their university libraries are on social networks, and yet not familiar with reference services. Facebook, Twitter and Ask a Librarian are ranked as the most preferred delivery of online reference services.
Most respondents gain an awareness of the services through their friends. Respondents agree that an online reference service is more convenient than a traditional desk reference service in that it encourages anywhere, anytime communication with reference librarians due to easy accessibility. Findings also reveal that the services are not all that effective as there are low levels of awareness, which is the reason why the service recorded not so many utilization from the patron, a subsequence of which led to a fair satisfaction from users. In relation to this, the study reveals that the rate at which patrons patronized the services was influenced by their level of awareness of the services in their libraries. This study innovatively addressed contemporary issues concerning the evaluation, and ultimately, the relevance of online reference services in academic libraries. It is of great benefit to academic libraries and patrons alike as the study identifies ways to increase the visibility and use of online reference services in Nigerian university libraries.
Table of Content:
ABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables vii
List of Figures viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1Background to the Study ------------------------------------------------------------- 1
1.2Statement of Problem ------------------------------------------------------------------6
1.3Research Objectives ------------------------------------------------------------------ 6
1.4 Research Questions ------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
1.5Research Hypotheses ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7
1.6Significance of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------- 8
1.7Scope of the Study -------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
1.8Limitations of the Study -------------------------------------------------------------- 9
1.9Operational Definition of Terms --------------------------------------------------- 9
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
2.2 Conceptual Framework ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Social Networking Sites: An Evaluation of Online Reference Services Page 7
2.3 Emergence of Social Networking Sites ---------------------------------------------------- 13
2.4 Trends of Social Networking and its Impact in Academic Libraries ------------------ 19
2.4.2 Blog and Wikis -------------------------------------------------------------- 21
2.5 Why Using Social Networking Tools in Academic Library ---------------------------- 24
2.6 Online-Reference Services and Academic Libraries ------------------------------------- 26
2.7 Evaluation of Online Reference Services -------------------------------------------------- 27
2.7.2 The Perspective from the Library Itself ---------------------------------- 28
2.7.3 The Perspective of the Library User -------------------------------------- 31
2.7.4 Conducting an Evaluation of your Service ------------------------------ 33
2.8 Standard and Evaluation Mechanisms ----------------------------------------------------- 36
2.9 Empirical Studies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
2.10 Appraisal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
3.2 Research Method ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
3.3 Population of the Study ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
3.4 Sample Size ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42
3.5 Sampling Techniques ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
3.6 Data Collection Instrument ------------------------------------------------------------------ 43
3.7 Validity of Instrument ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43
Social Networking Sites: An Evaluation of Online Reference Services Page 8
3.8 Reliability of Instrument -------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3.9 Data Collection Procedure ------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3.10Method of Data Analysis --------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 46
4.2 Analysis of Data/ Interpretation of Result ------------------------------------------------- 47
4.3 Discussion of Findings ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 54
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
5.2 Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
5.3 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56
5.4 Recommendations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57
5.4.2 Areas for Further Studies -------------------------------------------------- 58
REFERENCE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 59
APPENDIX --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 60
Social Networking Sites: An Evaluation of Online Reference Services Page 9
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Demographic Information of the Respondents.
Table 2A: Patrons’ Awareness of Online Reference Services via Social Networking
Sites.
Table 2B: Level of Awareness.
Table 3: Source from which Patron get informed of availability of Online Reference Services
through Social Networking Sites in their Libraries.
Table 4: Why Patrons chose to Use Online Reference Services over Traditional Desk
Reference Services.
Table 5: Respondents’ ranking of Social Networking Site Most Preferred.
Table 6A: Effectiveness of Online Reference Services via Social Networking Sites.
Table 6B: Level of Effectiveness.
Table 7: Patrons’ Satisfaction of Online Reference Services via Social Networking
Sites.
Table 8: Chi square (x2), analysis of Patrons’ awareness o Online References Services
and Utilization of Online Reference Service
Buy Now
