DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION COMMONS

(A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, ZARIA)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Education

ABSTRACT
The 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.