Gateway Information Journal

The Silent Barriers: How Library and ICT Anxieties Hinder Postgraduate Students' Access to Institutional Repositories

Azeez Adebamgbola Adeoye — 2025-06-30

Institutional repositories serve as digital platforms for archiving and disseminating research outputs in universities. Despite their significance, postgraduate students in many Nigerian universities underutilise these resources, potentially due to library and ICT-related anxieties. This study investigates how these anxieties influence institutional repository use among postgraduate students at the University of Ibadan and Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo State, Nigeria. Grounded in library anxiety theory and the technology acceptance model, this study employed a correlational survey design. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 472 participants from the total postgraduate population of 7,681. Data was collected with validated questionnaire measuring institutional repository use (α=0.878), library anxiety (α=0.919), and ICT anxiety (α=0.916). The analyses involved the use of descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression at a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that ICT anxiety (r=.185) had significant correlation with institutional repository use, whereas library anxiety (r=.048) did not. Collectively, library and ICT anxieties influenced repository use (R=.187; F(7.977) =11.63; Adj. R²=.031), explaining 31% of the variance. Library anxiety (β = 0.197) had greater contribution than ICT anxiety (β=-0.31). Key enablers of repository use are thesis writing, access to e-journals, and library familiarity, while slow Internet and software compatibility issues hindered usage. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving repository adoption among postgraduate students.

ICT Phobia, Interpersonal Skills and E-Service Delivery in Research Institute Libraries in Ibadan, Nigeria

Modupeolu Anne Osalusi — 2025-06-30

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in library services has transformed information dissemination. However, ICT phobia, which is fear or anxiety related to using technology, poses significant challenges, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examined the relationship between ICT phobia, interpersonal skills, and e-service delivery in research institute libraries in Ibadan, Nigeria, using the survey research design. The target population included all 101 library personnel across eight research institutes in Ibadan, Oyo State. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS. Findings revealed consistent e-service delivery among library personnel, a moderate level of ICT phobia, and a high level of interpersonal skills. The study identified a significant negative relationship between ICT phobia and e-service delivery (r = -.241, p < 0.05), as well as a significant positive relationship between interpersonal skills and e-service delivery (r = .418, p < 0.05). Both ICT phobia and interpersonal skills significantly influenced e-service delivery. The study concluded that while ICT phobia hampers service delivery, strong interpersonal skills foster a supportive environment that enhances e-service delivery. To address these issues, the study recommended consistent training in ICT and interpersonal communication to help librarians overcome ICT phobia and improve service delivery.

Impact of AI Literacy Training on Service Delivery of Library Professionals in Universities in Edo State

Etinosa James Omwanghe — 2025-06-30

This study investigated the influence of AI Literacy Training on Service Delivery of Library professionals in Universities in Edo State, examining available training programmes, service delivery application, implementation challenges and their relationship. Using descriptive survey research design with total enumeration sampling, data were collected from all library professionals in university libraries in Edo State. Results showed moderate availability of AI literacy training programmes (grand mean=2.58), with formal workshops and webinars most accessible, while specialised training opportunities were limited. Application of AI literacy to service delivery showed concerning results (grand mean=1.98), with all measured areas below the criterion mean. Major challenges included poor internet connectivity (mean=3.42), inadequate funding (mean=3.38) and limited access to specialised training programmes (mean=3.34). Simple linear regression analysis revealed AI literacy training significantly predicted service delivery (R²= .147, F(1, 159) = 27.642, p< .001), explaining 14.7% of variance in service delivery outcomes. The low indicated AI literacy training accounts for moderate portion of service delivery variance. The study recommends comprehensive AI literacy policy frameworks, increased infrastructure investment, context-specific solutions, supportive policy environments and collaborative learning communities to enhance AI integration in library services.

AI Knowledge and AI Attitude of Office Managers in Selected Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria

Yemisi Tomilola Babalola — 2025-06-30

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the rules of organizational competitiveness. Office managers, whose productivity directly impact on the performance of executives and indirectly on organizational performance cannot afford to ignore the potentials of these disruptive technologies. Knowledge and attitude are key determinants of the use of new technologies hence, the study investigated office managers’ knowledge of AI tools and attitude towards the use of artificial intelligence in their professional activities. The survey was conducted among 219 office managers in two universities in Ogun State. A sample size of 142 was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula. Stratified random sampling technique was used to enlist the participants. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire constructed by the researchers and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple linear regression and independent samples T-test. The findings showed that AI knowledge had significant influence on AI attitude but gender played no significant role in AI knowledge and AI attitude of the participants. The study recommends among other things that, office managers should be proactive in acquiring knowledge and skills about AI applications that are relevant to all aspects of their jobs to secure their relevance and productivity in the workplace.

Evaluation of Public Library Services towards the Education of People with Special Needs in Anambra and Imo States, Nigeria

Adaora Joy Udo-Anyanwu — 2025-06-30

The study examined the library services provided to people with special needs in Anambra and Imo States public libraries. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 98 professional and para-professional staff of the public libraries studied. The entire population was involved in the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse objectives one, two and six while research questions three-five were analysed with mean and standard deviation. Findings of the study revealed that: the people with special needs that make use of the public libraries are: the physically challenged, visually impaired, and the hearing impaired; the resources provided are mainly for those with visual impairment; generally, the services are provided at a low level; there is also low level of outreach initiatives by public libraries for the education of people with special needs; most assistive technologies are not provided to a high level in the libraries studied among others. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that: the public library should collaborate with stakeholders such as: local disability organizations, support groups, and advocacy agencies for awareness in their various groups and advocacy to ensure that effective services are provided for the education of people with special needs, and there should be adequate provision of assistive technologies to people with special needs among others.