Awareness and Utilization of Z39.50 Protocol among Academic Librarians in Federal and State Universities in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Z39.50 protocol plays a crucial role in enhancing library operations, particularly in cataloguing and resource sharing among libraries. Despite its significance, the level of awareness and utilization among academic librarians remain a subject of inquiry, especially in South-South, Nigeria. This study therefore, examined the awareness and extent of utilization of the Z39.50 protocol among academic librarians in federal and state universities in South-South, Nigeria. This study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of this study was 262 academic librarians, made up of 97 academic librarians from Federal universities and 159 academic librarians from the State university libraries in South-South Nigeria. The study used census sampling technique and therefore used all the 262 academic librarians that constituted the population of the study because the number was manageable. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data obtained from the study was analysed using descriptive statistics of mean scores and standard deviation, while the corresponding null hypotheses were tested using independent sample t-test.  The study revealed that while academic librarians in federal and state universities in South-South, Nigeria have a moderate awareness of the Z39.50 protocol and utilized it for cataloguing and resource-sharing, there is no significant difference in their level of awareness and utilization across the two categories of institutions. The study therefore, recommended that academic librarians should be exposed to trainings in this respect, in order to enable them grasp the knowledge of the application and use of Z39.50 protocol in cataloguing operations. The library administration should foster the implementation of specialized technological education and training, as well as establish mentorship initiatives to foster more equitable utilization of requisite technology in library operations and services among academic librarians.