Research article · 2026
CAPACITY BUILDING AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE DIGITAL AGE IN UNIVERSITIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the impact of capacity building on the transformation of library services in the digital age in universities in Imo State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 262 library staff in university libraries in Imo State, all of whom were used as the sample for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument for data collection was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance.
Findings: The findings indicated that digital skills are being strongly acquired through capacity-building initiatives, and these enhanced competencies have played a significant role in transforming library services by enabling more effective digital service delivery. However, the study also revealed that inadequate funding, weak ICT infrastructure, and limited management support continue to constrain the overall effectiveness of capacity-building programmes and hinder the full digital transformation of library services.
Implications: Based on these findings, the study recommended that: organizers of capacity building programmes should provide adequate ICT infrastructure to enhance the acquisition of digital skills for improved library services; regular staff training, improved funding, the provision of adequate ICT facilities and stronger management support for capacity-building programmes in university libraries.
Originality/Value: This work has not been published in any journal before. Its value lies in its ability to reveal the essence of including digital skills in capacity building programmes of university libraries.
Keywords: Capacity Building, Digital transformation, Library Services, ICT infrastructure, University Libraries
Paper type – Conceptual paper
Keywords
Capacity Building, Digital transformation, Library Services, ICT infrastructure, University Libraries Paper type – Conceptual paper
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