Development And Implementation Of Information Commons

AbstractThe 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 DeclarationiiCertificationiiiDedicationivAbstractviiAppendicesixAbbreviationsviiiTable of ContentsixCHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION11.1Background to the Study11.1.2The Concept of Information Commons (ICs)41.1.3Evolution of Information commons51.1.3 Characteristics of Information Commons71.2Statement of the Problem101.3Research Questions101.4Objective of the Study111.5Significance of the Study111.6Scope of the Study121.7Limitation of the Study121.8Operational Definition of Terms12CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE162.1Introduction162.2Development Policy and Strategies of Information Commons162.2Implementation of Information Commons22Pre-planning Phase23Forming the Team24A well planning Document25Spaces/ Site26Assessment28Policies/Rules30Other Resources31Staffing312.3Campus Partners of an Information Commons322.4Changing Role of Library Staff in Information Commons.362.5Summary of the Review40References41CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY443.1Introduction443.2Research Methods Adopted for the Study443.3Population of the study453.4Sample and Sampling Techniques463.5Instrument for Data collection463.6Procedures for Data collection473.7Procedure for Data Analysis.48Reference49CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS,504.1Introduction504.2Response Rate of the Respondents504.3Data Analysis514.3.1Basic Requirements for the Development and Implementation of Information Commons.514.3.2Strategies to be Adopted in the Development of Information Commons524.3.2Strategies to be Adopted in the Implementation of Information Commons554.3.3Changing Roles of Library Staff in the Domain of Information Commons594.3.5 Tabular Presentation and Comparative analysis of Standard Information Commonswith Proposed A B U, Library Zaria Learning Commons (Allc)63References68CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION695.1Introduction695.2Summary of the Study695.3Summary of the Major Findings:705.4Conclusion71APPENDIX I.78 Interview GuidelinesError! Bookmark not defined.