Adoption of Software Packages in University Libraries in Nigeria

Introduction Globally, the nature of human beings is that of constantly looking for ways of making things easier and making life comfortable. This underlying universal factor, which drives inventions, innovations and strategies, is also applicable in the library setting where deliberate steps are taken to make the use of the library easier and more comfortable for both the library staff and the users. Automation of the library is a step that is in sync with this global craving for ease and comfort. Software packages are relevant in a library that is automated. According to Nwalo (2002), automation of the library refers to the use of computers in rendering library services which were hitherto executed manually. Sharma (2007) sees library automation as the use of computers, associated peripheral media such as magnetic tapes, disks, optical media etc and utilization of computer based products and services in the performance of all types of library functions and operations. Giving an operational definition to the concept, the author of this paper defines automation of the library as the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the operation of the different processes and functions of the library to attain efficiency, accurate reporting and improved services. Core services of the library like circulation, cataloguing, acquisition, serials management, reference services and special collection readily benefit from automation. A computer system which is the core component of ICT runs on software, which can be system software or application software. Software is a generic term for the various programmes used to operate computer systems and related devices. While the system software provides the platform for the computer to function and communicate effectively with the application software, application software on its part is a computer programme designed to use a computer system to perform specific functions (Wikipedia Encyclopedia). There is a vast array of application software packages as a result of the assortment of tasks and functions executed using a computer system. However, what determines the choice of software is the relevance, user-friendliness, adaptability, inter-operability, general efficiency, amongst other considerations (Ukachi, Nwachukwu and Onuoha, 2014). There is an avalanche of software available for use in the library. These range from the proprietary software, which are subscription based, to the Open Source Software (OSS). The software available for selection also includes foreign brands and indigenously developed brands. In India for example, some library software of foreign origin that are well known include ALICE for Windows, Virtua, Techlib Plus etc, while the Libsys ranks high amongst the indigenous packages. Other software packages indigenously developed and used in India include Granthalaya, Maitreyi, Sanjay, DELMS, DELDO, TLMS etc (Husain and Ansari, 2007). Some of the software packages adopted by libraries in Nepal include CDS/ISIS, Lib Info, WINISIS, LMS, ALICE for Windows, SOUL etc (Sharma, 2007). The concept of library automation is also embraced by university libraries in Nigeria. University of Lagos and Covenant University are reported to have achieved full automation of their libraries, while University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Lagos State University attained partial automation (Okewale and Adetimirin, 2011). This gives a picture of the possibility of having some libraries that are not automated at all. This picture justifies the need to conduct a study to ascertain the level of automation of the core library modules of the universities in Nigeria, which is one of the objectives of the current study. Researchers have conducted studies on the use of software packages in some universities in Nigeria. Some of the software packages used in libraries in universities in Nigeria include TINLIB, ALICE, X-LIB, GLAS, CDS/ISIS, KOHA, SLAM, Liberty 3, Docuware etc (Adogbeji, Onohwakpor and Sylvester, n. …