PERCEPTION OF AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARIES: THE BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The research investigated availability and perception of blockchain technology in libraries in South-South, Nigeria.
Problem statement: The security of the resources charged out in the Circulation Division of the library is very paramount. Here comes the blockchain technology which has been vouched for as a platform that promotes the integrity of the Circulation Unit of any library that adopts it. This is because blockchain data cannot be altered without others in the chain knowing about the alteration. The statement of the problem in question form is: what is the state of blockchain technology in terms of availability in university libraries in South-South, Nigeria.
Methodology: The study used a descriptive survey design, with a population of 114 librarians from 8 federal university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. After administering and retrieving questionnaires, 102 were found usable. The data were analyzed using frequency count, mean statistics, and standard deviation on a 4-point Likert scale.
Results of the study: The study reported non availability of blockchain technology in the libraries studied, but the respondents have positive perception of the technology. The challenges to adoption includes: inadequate bandwidth as it concerns internet connectivity, no institutional policy instructing/requiring university libraries to use blockchain technology in service delivery, inadequate power supply and technophobia amongst others.
Conclusion and policy recommendation: The study suggested implementing awareness programs on blockchain and emerging technologies. It recommended that University Library Management should encourage staff to adopt a positive attitude toward emerging technologies. Additionally, it advised the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to establish a policy for adopting and deploying emerging technologies in university libraries.
Keywords: blockchain technology, blockchain technology perception, University libraries, South-South, Nigeria
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