DIGITISATION OF GREY LITERATURE FOR EFFECTIVE INFORMATION DISSEMINATION IN THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the digitisation of grey literature for effective information dissemination in the Federal University Libraries (FULs), North-Central Nigeria. It explored the types of grey literature available, existing facilities, library staff ICT competencies, purposes, and strategies to address challenges affecting digitisation. Anchored on Samzugi’s (2012) conceptual framework and the positivist paradigm, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. From a population of 312, a sample of 169 respondents with 147 valid responses (86.9%) was selected using the Research Advisor’s (2006) table. Data were collected through questionnaire that was validated by three experts, which yielded a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79 and was analysed with SPSS version 25. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 147 (86.9%) were completed and returned. Findings showed that projects, theses, and dissertations were the most available (100%) forms of grey literature, followed by seminar papers (70–86%). High-resolution scanners (79%) and computers (70.5%) were among the key facilities supporting digitisation. However, inadequate funding (63%) was identified as the major constraint. The study recommended increasing library budget allocations, providing ICT training, upgrading infrastructure, establishing copyright guidelines, and developing standardized digitisation procedures. With a grand mean of 3.09 “Strongly Agree”, respondents affirmed the importance of these strategies for enhancing digitisation and improving access to grey literature in Nigerian university libraries.