UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY ORIENTED SOFTWARE PACKAGES AMONG UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

The study investigated utilization of library oriented software packages among university libraries in North Central Zone of Nigeria. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The population of the study was made up of fifty seven (57) librarians and system analysts comprising of professionals and non-professionals. Questionnaire and interview were used to collect data from respondents. A total of forty-nine (49) copies of questionnaire were administered to forty nine librarians (excluding four university librarians and four system analysts) while forty-four (44) representing 89.8% were filled and returned and were found usable. Data collected through interview were presented and descriptively analyzed while that of questionnaire was presented in tabular form and analyzed with the use of frequencies, percentages and mean. Findings revealed that none of the packages is in use as a result there is no extent of utilization. The study identified erratic power supply, lack of library staff training as well as lack of enabling environment as the hiccups of library oriented software needs. The study recommends that university administration should see university libraries as a change agent or heartbeat of the university education where all the teaching, learning and research activities of the university education revolves and create an enabling environment that will grant library oriented software packages needs among the university libraries.