Social Media Awareness and Usefulness as Determinants of Service Delivery among Academic Librarians in Federal Universities, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated social media awareness and usefulness as predictors of service delivery among academic librarians in federal universities in North-West Nigeria. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 179 academic librarians drawn from seven federal universities in the region, and a total population sampling technique was employed to ensure
comprehensive representation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, with the aid of SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that academic librarians demonstrated a moderate level of awareness of social media and its relevance to library service delivery, indicating recognition of its role in promoting resources and enhancing user engagement. In addition, the study found that the perceived usefulness of social media was strongly positively related to service delivery, as librarians largely viewed social media as an effective tool for communication, visibility, collaboration, and user interaction. Despite these positive perceptions, variations in responses suggest disparities in awareness levels and practical utilisation. The study concludes that enhancing social media awareness and reinforcing its usefulness are essential for improving
service delivery in academic libraries. Recommendations were made to strengthen training programmes, institutional support, and policy frameworks to promote effective social media use among academic librarians.