ADOPTION OF SOCIAL NETWORKS MEDIA FOR REFERENCE SERVICES IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of social networks media
for  reference  services  in  academic  libraries.  Thus,  the  study  discovered  among
others, the meaning of social networking media and the types of social networking
media tools that can be applied in the reference section by the reference librarian
for  the  provision  of  reference  services  in  academic  libraries.  To  achieve  the
objectives of this study,  four (4) research questions were formulated. The study
pointed  out  among  others,  that  there  are  two  major  types  of  reference  services
which are:  direct and indirect reference services and they are in use  in academic
libraries.  The  study also pointed out some vital Social networks media tools that
can be used in the provision of reference services in meeting the needs of library
users. It also discovered  among others,  the facilities such as computer, internet,
webcam  and  cellphones  that  will  enable  the  application  of  social  networking
media  for  the  provision  of  reference  services  in  academic  libraries.  The  study
outlined some problems that  hinders  the application of social networking media
and they are: network bandwidth problem, lack of access to internet, unavailable
power supply, lack of staff training and the problem of maintenance culture. The
study  concluded  that  the  academic  libraries  especially  the  reference  section
should  adopt  the  social  media  tools  in  the  provision  of  reference  services  to
library clientele in this era of technological explosion.