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This study is aimed at looking at the extent to which staff of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, are acquainted with and use information technology facilities for academic pursuit.

The main instruments used for collecting data were questionnaires and interviews. Simple percentage was the statistical method employed.

Data gathered through the use of the questionnaire and interviews reveal that most of the staff are not only aware of the existence of information technology (IT) facilities, but also employ them to satisfy their academic desires. From the study, epileptic power supply was adjudged the worst problem encountered in the use of IT facilities, while other problems include high internet service charges, unreliable telecommunication infrastructure, internet traffic congestion due to limited bandwidth and unsatisfactory performance of internet service provider.

The study acts as an eye‐opener to the staff and management of Delta State University, those of institutions of higher learning in Nigeria as a whole, as well as the government of the day, as to the true state of affairs relative to how far and well we have advanced in the application of IT for developmental purposes in a world that has gone so far in it, and try as much as possible to bridge the gap.

This study seeks to evaluate the roles and effectiveness of public libraries in nation building in Nigeria.

In this research, questionnaires were used to collect data from public libraries in Edo and Delta states.

The result of the study revealed that Nigerian public libraries are performing poorly virtually in most aspects due to appalling resources. Based on this, recommendations are made.

The Nigerian Government should establish adequately funded public libraries in the various rural and urban communities. There should be adequate and effective information technologies in the various public libraries and the libraries should embark on political and health awareness programmes.

It is undisputable that public libraries have good aims and if well operated will foster national development.

This paper is primarily aimed at enhancing provision of scientific and technological information (STI) in Nigerian libraries.

Theoretical approach was adopted in presenting information on this work. References were drawn from notable authorities to support discussions.

This paper reveals that science and technological information sources are increasing and very diverse, cutting across primary sources, secondary sources, tertiary sources, as well as non‐documentary sources and involving the use of modern facilities such as CD‐ROMs, Internet and other electronic devices. Factors militating against the provision of scientific and technological information sources in Nigeria include inadequate funding, nonchalant attitude of scientists and technologists towards publishing, lack of or ill‐equipped laboratories, lack of or insufficient science and technologically based librarians and lack of automation or IT facilities in most libraries.

It is hoped that this paper will assist scientists and technologists to have access to relevant information sources, which will enhance their work performance.

In Nigerian university libraries, government allocations are the main source of revenue supporting library operations. However, the level of government support differs between federal and state institutions. This is despite the reality that all universities provide similar levels of education and graduates who competitively compete with one another for employment. This inequality prompted a study to identify the various sources of funds supporting academic libraries and to determine which were the most useful. Among the discoveries was that the budget is used as a long‐term development plan, helping the librarians prioritize their needs. The results of this survey suggested several courses of action, ranging from lobbying from more government support to increasing philanthropic outreach.

In this paper the authors aim to examine ways to motivate staff whose job assignments include repetitive library tasks such as shelving, copy cataloguing, circulation, and other similar functions.

The authors review the appropriate management literature and build upon the extensive management experience of the second author.

Ways to increase employee motivation including enriching the work experience, effective communication, appropriate incentives, and treating each employee as an individual. Sharing tasks among staff and maintaining an ergonomic workspace are also important. Library automation and eliminating unneeded tasks can reduce repetitive tasks but can also lead to a reduction in staff.

The paper provides practical steps for managers to take to keep staff motivated when faced with repetitive tasks.

This paper summarizes the management literature on this topic to provide practical guidance for library managers.