Incorporation of Big Data Analytics (BDA) in the Management of Library Operations and Services: Strategies for Way Forward in Nigerian Academic Libraries

Abstract

The study explores the perspectives of Nigerian academic librarians on the incorporation of big analytics (BDA) in the management of library operations and services. To achieve the objective of the study, a qualitative methodology was employed. A purpose sampling method was used to access 21 librarians through the heads of each selected academic library. An open-ended survey was used for the administration of an instrument to access 9 librarians from seven selected federal universities located in North Central Nigeria. The findings of this research highlight that a significant proportion of librarians are not well-acquainted with the significance of BDA  and its potential to positively revolutionize library services. Librarians generally express favorable opinions concerning the significance of BDA, acknowledging its capacity to enhance decision-making, optimize services, and deliver personalized user experiences. The feasibility of implementing BDA reveals the range of awareness, enthusiasm, and practical measures taken by libraries in implementing BDA, exposing challenges and proactive initiatives specific to the Nigerian context. Among the challenges foreseen by librarians are concerns regarding data privacy, the assurance of data accuracy, the demand for adequately trained personnel, the scalability of systems, data security, and the effective integration of data from diverse sources. The study recommends that stakeholders should prioritize ethical data handling and the safeguarding of user privacy while allocating resources for comprehensive librarian training in data management and analytics tools.