EVALUATION OF USE OF ICT IN DISSEMINATION OF ACADEMIC INFORMATION BY POLYTECHNIC LIBRARIES IN KOGI STATE

The study evaluates the use of ICT in dissemination of academic information by polytechnic libraries in Kogi State. The study adopted Survey research design, the population of this study comprises 64 library staff through Census survey that was used. The instrument for data collection is questionnaire. Data were analysed using the mean. Study shows that compiling bibliographies, Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), Indexing/Abstracting, Network and internet technology, Web world, Printers/publishing technology, Reprographic and micrographic technology are academic information disseminated by means of ICT in polytechnic libraries in Kogi State. Also revealed are the challenges associated with the use of ICT in dissemination of academic information in polytechnics in Kogi State are limited financial resources, shortage of ICT facilities, lack of ICT policies, poor maintenance of ICT equipment, erratic power supply, lack of training and capacity building, lack of effective telecommunication infrastructure. The following are the strategies for enhanced use of ICT in dissemination of academic information, it was found out that provision of adequate funding, provision of ICT facilities, provision of ICT policies, inculcating maintenance culture of ICT equipment, steady power supply, training and capacity building and effective telecommunication infrastructure. It was recommend that academic libraries should organize short computer training and retraining programs from time to time to assist librarians who do not have knowledge and computer skill, thereby promoting computer awareness of computer potentials and capabilities, orientation programs on the use of computer for information retrieval should be conducted and made compulsory for new entrants into the profession so as to cope with the current trend or the new technological revolution, the Nigerian librarians should seek for effective and efficient power supply supplemented with standby generators so to check the menace of frequent electricity power failure with this library and information.