Date of this Version
Summer 6-19-2026
Document Type
Article
Citation
Udoh, I. U. (2026). Dealing with Generation Z (Gen Z) library users in information services provision: The challenges before Nigerian public university libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).
Abstract
Generation Z are today’s bubbling population in various organizational settings, including students in the institutions of higher learning, with diverse information needs and expectations. This study examined the challenges of dealing with Generation Z (Gen Z) library users in information services provision in Nigerian public university libraries. It adopted a mixed methods research design of quantitative and qualitative types, with a population of four hundred and one (401) professional librarians from 8 public university libraries. A sample size of 205 professional librarians was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaire, semi-structured interview and observation methods. The questionnaire was validated and pretested using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability formula, which yielded a reliability coefficient value of 0.89. The data collected were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative analysis made use of descriptive statistics of frequency counts, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), with simple linear regression for testing hypothesis, and qualitatively using subjective themes to analyse the interview responses. The study revealed an overall high level of librarians’ awareness of the characteristics of Generation Z library users for information services provision in Nigerian public university libraries, while the overall adoption of modern approaches for information services provision was low, especially in the areas of advanced modern approaches such as the use of virtual reference services and assistance, mobile-friendly library websites and apps, etc. It identified inadequate skilled and competent librarians to design Gen Z-centric information services, lack of consistent access to Internet services, poor funding of public university libraries, and poor curriculum development and alignment as the major challenges. They study concluded that librarians’ awareness level of the characteristics of Generation Z library users has a very weak and non-significant relationship with the adoption of modern approaches for information services provision in Nigerian public university libraries. It recommended that management of public university libraries should integrate social media tools, mobile apps and AI-driven technologies for enhanced information services provision to the Gen Z library users.
Comments
This article is the researcher's original research effort in order to contribute to knowledge in this peculiar research area - Generation Z library users and information services provision. The article is considered very timely and relevant, particularly for university libraries in developing countries that are grappling with rapidly changing user expectations and preferences. It provides useful contextual insights from Nigerian public university libraries, with the hope of igniting the desire and interest of management of public university libraries and librarians to provide necessary facilities as well as acquire relevant skills, competencies and attitude for improved information services provision for the teeming users.
Please, I am respectfully anticipating your soonest possible consideration and publication to enable me meet up my appraisal requirement by second week of July 2026.
Thank you.