TITLE:
An Investigation on Integrated Library Systems (ILS) in Use in University Libraries in Osun State, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
John O. Oyekale
KEYWORDS:
Integrated Library Systems, Library Management Systems, University Libraries, Osun State, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.5 No.11,
November
19,
2018
ABSTRACT: This study investigates Integrated Library Systems (ILS) in use in university libraries in Osun State, Nigeria. It is a descriptive survey. All National Univer-sities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria accredited universities in Osun State were selected for the study. Structured interviews (personal and telephonic) and ob-servations were the main tools used to collect data for the study. Four (4) re-search questions were formulated for the study. Simple frequencies and per-centages were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study in-dicated 70 of the surveyed libraries have been automated. 90% of the automated libraries adopted KOHA Integrated Library System while 10% adopted VIRTUAL. 14.28% libraries have been fully automated while 85.71% libraries are at advance stage of automation. The study also revealed reasons for which libraries adopted a particular integrated library system to include: comprehensive functionality; library standards compliant; popularity among libraries in Nigeria; technical feasibility and support; web-based interfaces; freedom to change support company or its vendor; being an open source, and upgradability. It recommends that libraries should cooperate together to share resources and experiences to overcome libraries' financial and skills limitations.