Information and Communication Technology Competence and Staff Motivation as Correlate of Job Performance of Library Staff in University Libraries in Plateau State

Abstract

The study investigated information and communication technology competence and staff motivation as correlates of job performance in university libraries in Plateau State, Nigeria. The study has seven objectives, four research questions, and three hypotheses. The study adopted a survey descriptive design. The population of the study was 122 library staff in three universities: University of Jos, Plateau State University, and the Federal College of Education with a affiliated degree institutions. A total of 122 copies of the questionnaire were collected and used for the analysis. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that some aspect of the job performance of the library staff in university libraries in Plateau State such as supervision and interpersonal relationship were good. The study further revealed that there was a moderate and positive relationship between ICT competence and job performance with an r = 0.676 and P<0.05, while motivation and job performance also had a moderate and positive relationship with an r = 0.725. The extent of the staff motivation for high job performance was moderate. The findings revealed that the staff agreed that the university libraries in Plateau State were moderately motivated. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the Management of University Libraries in Plateau State should provide adequate ICT facilities and infrastructure that would motivate the library staff towards achieving high job performance. There should also be regular training of staff on new trends in ICT and how they can be integrated into library services. Management of the university libraries should also pay attention to motivational strategies such as regular promotion of staff, payment of allowance, and other welfare benefits in order to improve the job performance of the library staff. Libraries should also consider recognizing non-financial rewards such as verbal appreciation, better work environment, team work, open communication, and skill utilization in order to boost staff morale. Motivation should also be based on educational qualification, years of experience, supervisory ability, digitization skills, decision making skills and communication skills. The Management of university libraries in Plateau State should also be proactive in determining other factors such as environment and staff attitudes that could lead to improved job performance.