Abstract

This study investigated factors that influence academic librarians use of Web 2.0 technologies tools for knowledge-sharing practices in Nigerian universities. The study discussed demographics factors that influence the usage of Web 2.0 technologies, kinds of Web 2.0 technologies used by academic librarians, advantages of using Web 2.0 technologies and challenges that hinder the use of Web 2.0 technologies among academic librarians in Nigerian. A structured questionnaire was administered to 413 academic librarians across federal, state, and private universities. Quantitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics and the results were presented in tables. The findings revealed types of social networking platforms used by academic librarians are (Facebook, Twitter), blogs, wikis, with ( =2.50), advantages include increase interaction and communication and promote collaboration and resource sharing (92.9%) the study identified challenges as: intermittent internet connectivity, erratic power supply, Lack of ICT skills, lack of infrastructure, and  inadequate training with weighted (=2.44).The study concludes that improving training, upgrading infrastructure, and creating incentives for online collaboration will substantially increase meaningful use of Web 2.0 among Nigerian academic librarians. The paper offers practical recommendations for library managers and university administrators and suggests directions for future research on long-term impacts of Web 2.0 mediated knowledge communities in higher education.

Keywords:  Web 2.0, Knowledge sharing, Academic librarians, Demographic factors, Nigeria