APPLICATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE LIBRARY SERVICES DELIVERY AMONG LIBRARIANS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE MAKURDI BENUE STATE

This study examined application of information and communication technology for effective library services delivery among librarians in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi Benue state. The specific objectives of the study were: Identify information and communication technology resources available for use by Librarians, ascertain the extent to which librarians access information and communication technology resources, examine the extent of utilization of information and communication technology resources by Librarians, determine the influence of effective application of information and communication technology resources on effective library service delivery among librarians, determine the factors that hinder application of information and communication technology resources on effective service delivery among librarians and establish the strategies to overcome the problems of application of information and communication technology resources on effective service delivery among librarians in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. The study adopted survey research design; Questionnaire was used as the primary instrument for data collection. The population of the study comprises of 186 staff of Francies Suleiman Library Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. The data collected were analyzed using means, tables and standard deviations. The study revealed that: information and communication technology resources available for use by librarians in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi include; integrated Library Systems, digital libraries, automation system, google Scholar and Library Management Software, librarians utilize information and communication technology resources in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi to a high extent, effective application of information and communication technology resources influences library service delivery among librarians. inadequate technology infrastructure, slow internet connectivity, insufficient network resources, budget constraints, resistance from staff and stakeholders, shortage of qualified personnel and inadequate training are the factors that hinder effective application of information and communication technology while libraries should invest in training programs, robust investment in ICT infrastructure, upgrading hardware and software, networking capabilities, educating library users about available ICT resources, collaborative efforts among libraries facilitate the exchange and libraries should regularly assess the effectiveness of their ICT resources and gather feedback from both staff and users are the strategies to overcome the problem of effective application of information and communication technology among librarians in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi.