Virtual reality library services: A global vision for university libraries in Delta and Edo states, Nigeria

Abstract

Rationale of Study – Virtual reality is a universal technological phenomenon that has made a tremendous impact on a wide range of professions, including medicine, engineering, aviation, military, and, more lately, librarianship, among others. It is worrisome that libraries in Delta and Edo states, Nigeria are yet to deploy virtual reality services. This study investigated virtual reality services in university libraries in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria.Methodology – A descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study using a population of 116 librarians from the 15 university libraries in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. The total enumeration sampling technique was utilised for the research because of the small population size. A structured questionnaire to collect data from the respondents face to face.Findings – The findings revealed that librarians’ willingness to implement virtual reality technologies in university libraries in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria is high. The study further revealed that the respondents agreed that information literacy service, library orientation service, and user education service, among others, can be done via virtual reality technologies in university libraries. However, the respondents were not aware of virtual reality technologies to adopt.Implications – This study recommends that library management should allocate funds for the acquisition of virtual reality technologies for university libraries. Training on virtual reality should also be organised for librarians in university libraries in Nigeria.Originality – The study was an original research conducted on the potential use of virtual reality library services in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria.