Resistance to Change in Academic Libraries: The University of Ilorin Experience
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Date
2023
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Volume Title
Publisher
Ilorin Varsity International Journal of Library & Information Science
Abstract
Since libraries are developing organisms following Ranganathan's thesis, its success or failure
depends on an awareness of the causes and mechanisms of opposition to change as well as the
ability to effectively address its manifestations. In light of this, this study used the academic
library at the University of Ilorin as a case study to examine librarians' perspectives on change
resistance and potential solutions. The study was targeted at 20 librarians in the University of
Ilorin library, while a total enumeration sampling method was adopted. The questionnaire was
used to collect data from the respondents, and a 100% (20) response rate was achieved. The
data collected were processed and analyzed with descriptive statistical tools of frequency counts
and percentages. Results revealed that there was a change in the library (70%), while incidents
of resistance were also witnessed in areas such as gossiping on duty (100%), staff missing
deadlines (75%), seeking joint action of colleagues (65%) and refusing to learn a new task
(60%). The study further provides strategies on what Library managers could do to reduce or
solve the problems of resistance to change in the library and information service environment. In
light of the findings of the study, it was recommended amongst others that, librarians must not
only focus on access, organization, storage, and retrieval of information but, they should also
become change agents and ensure a proactive role in the diffusion of technological innovations.
Keywords: Resistance to change, Academic Libraries, Librarians, Solutions, University of Ilorin
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Citation
Vol. 6 No. 1 & 2