Training of library assistants in academic library: A study of babcock university library, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the need to train and retrain library assistants in academic libraries. The researchers however used Babcock University Library to ascertain the impacts of training of library assistants. A descriptive design was adopted for this study. A total enumeration sampling method was used. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The population was made up of 30 respondents who were library assistants at the Babcock University Library, Nigeria. A total number of 30 questionnaires were administered. All the questionnaires were retrieved and were found useful giving a return rate of 100% used for this study. The result shows that library assistants were not given training in the area of system management and web searching. In addition, 27 (90%) of the respondents agreed that training will enhance their job performance while 30 (100%) of the respondents agreed that training will improve their skills to support library users in searching for information electronically. Based on the findings the researchers recommend that library assistants should be trained on electronic information technology usage as this will impact the overall service delivery in meeting the goals of the academic library.