Leveraging on University’s Electronic Mailing System for Effective Provision of Selective Dissemination of Information in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library, FUT Minna, Niger State

Abstract

This research is on the use of university’s emailing system in the provision of effective selective dissemination of information in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida library, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Emailing system is a technology that can be deployed on any mobile technologies especially mobile smart phones, tablets, and other handheld devices. Preliminary investigations revealed uncertainty on the rate of use of mobile technology in providing SDI in the university library neither is there a comprehensive database captured for such purpose. As a result, this research is aimed at studying the level of awareness the provision of SDI has attained in the university, the presence of mobile technology infrastructure put in place, hindrances to provision of this service via mobile technology and necessary steps to curb the stated hindrances and challenges. A survey research design was adopted in the study and the target population were the academic researchers and librarians who were administered questionnaires and interviewed respectively. A total of 755 copies of questionnaire were administered; 389 copies were returned and found usable. The collected data was analyzed and presented using simple percentages and frequency counts whereby the responses were made across different ranks in the academic cadre and two librarians were interviewed. Findings revealed that lack of constant internet data bundle and mobile access to emails hindered effective access to SDI on the part of researchers, while librarians were faced with several delays due to bureaucratic processes for considering submitted reports as well as funding of internal projects and network downtime challenges on the part of library administrators. The study recommended that the school should improve SDI awareness among researchers through HOD’s and Deans of Schools especially during board meetings, and adopting an automated SDI system supported with a clear-cut policy for SDI provision in the university.