An Investigation of Computer Ergonomics in Two Academic Libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The deployment of ICTs had long been leading to computer ergonomic problems among library staff especially in academic libraries. The ergonomics was observed to be affecting the wellbeing and productivity of library staff members. This study was carried out to investigate computer ergonomics: the experience of library personnel.
The study adopted the survey research design with a study population of 60 library staff in UNILAG and MOCPED libraries, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total enumeration sampling technique was used to include all the entire library staff in the two selected libraries. Data was collected and analysed from entire sixty (60) library staff and the analysis was done in an SPSS output format based on simple frequency count and percentage, standard deviation and mean distribution of the population.
Results showed that ICTs that were very readily available to majority of the respondents were scanners, personal computer (pc), printer, flash drive and projector as indicated by 48 (80.0%), 43 (71.7%), 42 (70.0%), 38 (63.3%) and 37 (51.7%) respectively. It was established that photocopy service was the foremost library service as indicated by almost all the respondents 58 (96.7%). Results revealed that majority of the respondents 43 (71.7%) noted they used the keyboard on a daily basis. Findings showed that the library staff 31 (51.7%) strongly agreed they had experienced communication difficulties as a result of computer use. Most of the respondents 30 (50.0%), 27 (45.0%) and 23 (38.3%) strongly agreed that they had experienced neck pain, headache and knees and leg swelling as a consequence of computer use. It was concluded that majority of the respondents 45 (75.0%) were of the view that medical allowances should be provided to ease the effect of computer use. Also, 2 (53.3%) and 31 (51.7%) also strongly agreed that comfortable seats should be provided, librarians should use screen protection tools and they should not toil with social gathering.
In as much as the management of libraries is concerned with the provision of effective and efficient library services through the use of computers and related devices to forestall user apathy, they need to be concerned about the adverse consequences that the use of the technologies could have on library staff who use them. Thus, it is very imperative for those in the top echelon of library management to pay adequate attention to ergonomics issues if they want to have a functional library with healthy workforce.