Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the development and implementation strategies and policies of Information Commons in Ahmadu Bello University, Library Zaria. The data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Two survey instruments were used to collect the primary data. The Instruments include interview and documentary. The data was qualitatively presented and analysed through phenomenology research method. The study found that, provision of collaborative spaces with specialized system software, workstations that accommodate small groups, and the group study rooms equipped with computers or space for laptops and projectors are some of the basic requirements needed in the development and implementation of ICs in the ABU Library. Also, the study discovered that a well-designed student-centered information commons has to integrate a range of campus partners to offer students a centralized access to all of their academic needs, spelling out clearly the common property, resources, and economic models that will raise the value of shared access over individual consumption, and propagation and promotion of the value and benefits of access as well as the likely danger of enclosure are some of the strategies to be adopted for the development and implementation of ICs in the ABU library. In view of these findings, the study recommends that the ABU library complex should adopt the development strategies of ICs proposed by the researcher in order to be up to date in the provisions of a welcoming enabling environment and relevant information resources and technologies; the library staff should be given a rigorous training in the area of information technology literacy in order to effectively handle the affairs of ICs to harness its maximum value and the Information commons should be situated within the main Library for effective usage and proximity in terms of resources and users.

Table of Contents 

Declarationii

Certificationiii

Dedicationiv

Abstractvii

Appendicesix

Abbreviationsviii

Table of Contentsix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1

1.1Background to the Study1

1.1.2The Concept of Information Commons (ICs)4

1.1.3Evolution of Information commons5

1.1.3 Characteristics of Information Commons7

1.2Statement of the Problem10

1.3Research Questions10

1.4Objective of the Study11

1.5Significance of the Study11

1.6Scope of the Study12

1.7Limitation of the Study12

1.8Operational Definition of Terms12

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE16

2.1Introduction16

2.2Development Policy and Strategies of Information Commons16

2.2Implementation of Information Commons22

Pre-planning Phase23

Forming the Team24

A well planning Document25

Spaces/ Site26

Assessment28

Policies/Rules30

Other Resources31

Staffing31

2.3Campus Partners of an Information Commons32

2.4Changing Role of Library Staff in Information Commons.36

2.5Summary of the Review40

References41

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY44

3.1Introduction44

3.2Research Methods Adopted for the Study44

3.3Population of the study45

3.4Sample and Sampling Techniques46

3.5Instrument for Data collection46

3.6Procedures for Data collection47

3.7Procedure for Data Analysis.48

Reference49

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS,50

4.1Introduction50

4.2Response Rate of the Respondents50

4.3Data Analysis51

4.3.1Basic Requirements for the Development and Implementation of Information Commons.51

4.3.2Strategies to be Adopted in the Development of Information Commons52

4.3.2Strategies to be Adopted in the Implementation of Information Commons55

4.3.3Changing Roles of Library Staff in the Domain of Information Commons59

4.3.5 Tabular Presentation and Comparative analysis of Standard Information Commonswith Proposed A B U, Library Zaria Learning Commons (Allc)63

References68

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION69

5.1Introduction69

5.2Summary of the Study69

5.3Summary of the Major Findings:70

5.4Conclusion71

APPENDIX I.78

 

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