Abstract:
The importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in libraries cannot be over
emphasized. The advent of information and communication technology has changed the way
libraries operate in recent times, and private university libraries cannot be left out in the ICT
revolution. Librarians have changed from simple storekeepers who were concerned with the
protection of books against theft and mutilation, to information officers who encourage the use of
information in the vast array of information material. Private university libraries have a lot of
challenges in terms of level of adoption to ICT when compared to their counterparts in their public
university.
In view of the above, this study set out to examine the level of ICT adoption in private university
libraries in Ghana in terms of physical and to find out how committed the management of private
universities are in acquiring ICT tools for to the libraries. The study further examined the
capabilities and competence of both library staff and student in the use of ICT facilities and the
level of satisfaction in the use of ICT in the various universities.
This study used the mixed method approach which involved adopting both the quantitative and
qualitative approach. The study used thirty percent of the graduate students as the sample size.
Therefore, sample size of the student’s respondents was one hundred and eighteen (118). Since the
population of the library staff was not too large the entire population of professional librarians and
6 paraprofessionals was used.
The research revealed that even though private universities have adopted ICT use in the libraries,
there are challenges with training of staff in the use of ICT, and the lack of satisfaction with the
work of technical people who do not understand the technicalities of the library work.
The recommendations given were that management of private universities should invest more in
ICT facilities for the libraries. Library staff should also be given enough training in ICT so that
they can be in better position to help their users. Again, the government should constitute a body
to oversee the affairs of private university libraries so as to ensure conformity with the library
standards.
