1. Introduction
2.6 Related studies
Some studies related to this research were identified. Research was carried out on, "The role of information technology in development: a case study of Nigeria" by Awa (1996).
The survey involved the perceptions of top government officials, top officials of para- statals, business executives, informationIcommunicationexperts and other persons chosen randomly who responded to open-ended questions and informal interviews. In this research, analytical survey techniqueswere used and they involved obtaining information directly from individuals. The results of this study indicated that there are prospects and potentials to develop information technology in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Nigerian government should invest in research and development, and map a comprehensive policy stressing development of information technology.
Secondly Capeles-Roman (1997) researched on, "The impact of new library information technology on knowledge, skills, and attitudes of University professors of the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico". The study measured the impact of new library information technology on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the professors of five of the schools offering graduate programs at their university. Survey research was used for this study, a questionnaire was administered and the data was analyzed using different statistical analysis, models of frequencies, and percentages. The results of the study identified the need to improve faculty access to and use of information technology, the need for schools and libraries to enhance their access to campus networks, and the needs and information seeking patterns in technology environment. The study recommended
training using the best model for teacher education considering the needs, interest, skills and abilities of these faculties.
The third study was by Kaniki (1999) on the "Internet use and training needs of staff of the esAL consortium, Kwa Zulu-Natal. South Africa: partnership between historically disadvantaged and advantaged institutions." The research was about the provision of Internet based information services in academic libraries. This study looked at how best to incorporate the Internet service with services offered by the library. The assumption of the study was that librarians are knowledgeable about the Internet resources and possess better searching skills necessary in the use of the Internet for research and study needs (Kaniki 1999). Survey research for this study was carried out, questionnaires were the main data- collecting instruments and were administered by hand, post and e-mail. The results of the study showed that there is need for Internet training courses linked with training needs of library staff to be developed for both librarians and trainees. The study recommended that joint Internet courses and programmes be developed and these courses should be linked to
the training needs of the staff of the libraries concerned.
The fourth study was on the "Impact of computer training on professional library activities in Pakistan" by Sharif and Mahmood (2001:3-4). The study aimed at determining the impact of the Certificate in Library Automation on librarianship in Pakistan, to examine the computer use pattern of the Certificate in Library Automation holders and to identify the specific areas in which Pakistan Library Association's computer training center needed improvement. The survey research method was used, together with the questionnaire as the data-gathering instrument. The questionnaire included closed and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was hand-delivered, posted or e-mailed. Through the results of the study it was evident that it had been mostly comparatively young professional librarians, who attended the basic computer course offered. After acquiring the computer knowledge they participated significantly in the automation process of their libraries and many other skills they acquired through the course. The recommendation was that the
computer-training center should keep in close contact with its alumni to monitor and help in their automation related activities, and get feed-back of its training programme.
The fifth study was that of Simmons and Andaleeb (2001), entitled, "Usage of academic libraries: the role of service quality, resources, and user characteristics". This study tested a model to explain the use of academic libraries including service, quality, resources and user characteristics of the advent of online catalogue, CD-RaMs, online databases and other electronic resources. The fact that access to information and the role of academic libraries have changed and increased dramatically wasexplained too. A self-administered questionnaire was administered in this study. The respondents were informed of how the study would benefit the libraries. The results of this study showed that the quality of service depends on advisory service offered by the librarians and the available library resources. The resources are limited and the basic resources available are under utilized.
The library users have been identified as being keen to use the hybrid library. The study recommended that the librarians should have knowledge and should be experts in order to provide the optimum service to the library users.
The sixth study analyzed was on "Prospects and traumas of computer-aided service in university libraries: a case study of the University of Dar es Salaam Library" by Nawe (2001a: 138-145). The study was undertaken in order to assess the impact of introduction of computer applications in the provision of service at the University of Dar es Salaam library. The methodology used was a survey research, using a questionnaire as a data collecting instrument as well as observation. The results of the study showed that the librarians themselves have different levels of acceptance of the computers. Older librarians who have been in the field were not keen to use the computers for information provision while the younger librarians were very keen to use them. The librarians did not have adequate skills to use the computers effectively. The recommendations were that the librarians should be given training on the library programmes to encourage acceptance of
the computer and to enable them to confidently assist the library users with online information and resources.