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Purpose: This study aims to examine if students would patronize metaverse academic library (MAL) if it becomes available in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a descriptive survey research design. The population was made up of 1,037 undergraduate in Adeleke University. Descriptive statistic was used to analyse data. Findings: Findings indicated most students have never used virtual reality (VR) equipment, they are eager to use MAL for virtual academic research, library user education, accessing circulation services, reading serials and contacting reference librarians. The study concluded that MAL would be patronised by students if it is made available and therefore recommends that greater effort be made to make VR gear accessible and cheap for developing nations such as Nigeria. Originality/value: The study is novel as it contributes to scarce research on MAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the awareness and perception of the relevance of blockchain technology in the management of libraries and archives in the fourth industrial revolution in a developing country, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: Ten system librarians selected from five different libraries and ten archivists selected from five different archives in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria represent the sample for the study. The study adopted a purely qualitative approach where data was collected through an open-ended questionnaire mailed to the participants to guide against physical contact and maintained social distancing to observe COVID-19 protocol. Findings: The results reveal that both the librarians and archivists are aware of blockchain technology, its adoption and use in libraries and archives. There is a positive perception about blockchain technology believing that it can assist libraries and archives in storing information in a distributed settings through gathering, preserving and sharing authoritative information, and supports archivists in creating a unique verifiable record that can be accessed by anyone in archives. Implementation, maintenance cost and difficulty in sustainability are identified as the challenges of blockchain adoption. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to one geopolitical zone of Nigeria which necessitates the need for further research on the similar subject matter in other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Practical implications: The findings of the study have identified the need for librarians and archivists to increase their awareness and develop a positive perception toward blockchain technologies. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to research the relevance of blockchain technology in Nigerian libraries and archives. This paper reported the benefits libraries and archives could derive from the adoption of blockchain, and how such can improve effective services delivery to the satisfaction of the users of archives and libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The study aims to investigate the level of awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was used to collect data from 176 librarians in 49 university libraries in Nigeria. Findings – It emerged that the librarians were more familiar with social networking sites, instant messaging, media sharing sites, blogs and wikis. The popularity of these Web 2.0 tools made them the most frequently used by the librarians. Web 2.0 tools like Flickr, RSS feeds, podcasts, social bookmarking, were among the least used. The study revealed that librarians use Web 2.0 tools mostly for reference services online, library news/events, training resources, and image and video sharing. Lack of facilities such as computers with internet access, lack of skills, and lack of time were indicated as some of the barriers in the use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. Practical implications – These research results can be consulted by interested librarians as they plan to implement Web 2.0 applications in their libraries. Originality/value – This study draws an overall picture of Web 2.0 applications in Nigerian university libraries and attempts to provide helpful information to better understand how librarians elsewhere are utilizing Web 2.0 technologies in rendering library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the ever-increasing demands of library users. In this ever-changing environment, some of the things one can be certain of are the need for more staff, space, and money for libraries. Libraries are ever striving to do more and more while, at best, maintaining current levels of staff and resources. The two most important goals are to increase library funding, or make the use of current resources more efficient. Jerry Nichols' contribution in this issue draws attention to a situation in New York State where revenue, collected to support local libraries for years, was left unrealized. Similarly, Andrew Itedjere's article brings to light what can happen when a Nigerian university doesn't support its library--monetarily or intellectually. While a system has been implemented requiring library users to pay a registration fee, the deemphasized importance of library collections for research has imposed a barrier to the library to realize fully needed funds to support service, collections, and technology. Khalid Mahmood and his colleagues suggest another approach in their article, which is charging library visitors for services rendered.