Digital Information Management Practices and Big Data Utilisation in University Libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The advancement of digital technologies and the emergence of big data are transforming academic libraries globally, offering opportunities to enhance service delivery, improve accessibility, and support research and learning. This study investigated Digital Information Management (DIM) practices and the extent of big data utilisation in university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, the study covered 137 professional and paraprofessional librarians across three universities, with data collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that record management, digital preservation, and data storage and retrieval were effectively practiced, while compliance and risk management were relatively weak. In terms of Big Data, user feedback, collection data, and digital repositories were highly utilised, whereas library operations data and learning analytics were underutilised. The study concludes that although DIM practices and Big Data adoption are evident in Kwara State university libraries, gaps remain in advanced analytics, infrastructure, and staff competencies. It recommends capacity development, improved funding, and stronger governance frameworks to strengthen digital transformation in Nigerian academic libraries.