Exploring Librarians’ Digital Competence and Institutional Support as Determinants of Reference Services Delivery in University Libraries in Osun State

Abstract

Reference services are fundamental to academic library operations as they assist users in locating 
accurate and relevant information. Traditionally, reference services involved face-to-face 
interactions between users and librarians at the reference desk. However, the advancement of 
information and communication technologies (ICTs) has transformed reference services into a 
blend of physical and virtual interactions. The paper explores librarians’ digital competence and 
institutional support as determinants of reference service delivery in university libraries in Osun 
State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consists of 143 academic 
librarians in the six (6) purposively selected university libraries.  The Total enumeration 
technique was employed, and data were collected with a questionnaire from the respondents. The 
Data collected was analysed  using frequency counts, simple percentages and tables. Findings 
revealed that the librarians possessed the required digital competence to be effective at their 
work, such digital competences possessed by librarians include identification and use of 
computers and other digital devices (laptops, mobile phones, tablets etc) among others. 
Furthermore, findings revealed that there is institutional support for the delivery of reference 
services n the university libraries, such  as librarians attending seminars   and the provision of 
effective reference services.. Lastly, the findings also indicate a  positive influence between 
digital competence and institutional support on the effectiveness of reference service delivery in 
university libraries, such as the integration of digital tools which has improved the efficiency of 
reference service delivery in my library among others. This study concluded that the reference 
librarians in university libraries in Osun State have the required digital competence to render effective reference services to library users. This study recommends that reference librarians should be more proactive and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies related to reference 
services delivery.