Information on the Go: Perspective of Academic Librarians on Use of Social Media in Reference Services
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Information & Library Review - Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Librarians have different perceptions on the employment of social media in library services. This
research focused on investigating the perceptions that academic librarians in Ghana hold about
the employment of social media in providing reference and user services. A quantitative research
approach employing a Likert-type questionnaire was used in soliciting the views of 99 librarians from
six top public and private universities in Ghana on their perspective on the use of socialmedia in providing
reference and user services. The findings of the study indicate mixed perceptions on the application
of social media in reference and user services. These are variously attributed to lack of skills on
the part of librarians to use social media, low bandwidth and poor internet connectivity, and inadequate
support/motivation from parent institutions among others. As a result, librarians found the
traditional mode of service delivery more comfortable, though they knew the importance of social
media in their services. The study recommended, among others, development of skills and sensitization
workshops to whip up interest in librarians to use social media in reference and user services.
Description
Keywords
Social media, library outreach, on-line services, academic libraries, Ghana
Citation
Michael Ahenkorah-Marfo & Harry Akussah (2017): Information on the Go: Perspective of Academic Librarians on Use of Social Media in Reference Services, International Information & Library Review, DOI: 10.1080/10572317.2016.1278190