Awareness and Perception of Librarians towards Implementation of Internet of Things Iots for Library Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries Northern Nigeria

This study examined the awareness and perception of librarians regarding the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoTs) for library service delivery in Federal University Libraries in Northern Nigeria. Specifically, it assessed librarians' level of awareness, their perception of IoTs applications, and the challenges associated with implementing IoTs technologies. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, validated by three different experts- two from the Department of Library and Information Science and one from test and measurement in the Department of Education Modibbo Adama University, respectively. The reliability coefficient of 0.83 was obtained through Crombach alpha reliability testing from a split-half administered questionnaire to 30 respondents (from FUHSA, FUD, FUKashere, FUWukari and FUGA) outside the research setting. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, targeting 72 librarians across nine federal university libraries, with 64 valid responses analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square tests via SPSS v27. Findings revealed that librarians demonstrated a generally high level of awareness and a very positive perception of IoTs, recognizing its potential to enhance service quality, accessibility, automation, and security. However, significant challenges including high implementation costs, limited technical expertise, inadequate training, infrastructure gaps, integration issues, and weak institutional policies hindered adoption. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in awareness levels across libraries but no significant difference in perception levels. The study concludes that while librarians are optimistic about IoTs integration, successful implementation requires strategic investments in infrastructure, professional training, and clear institutional policies