Information Communication Technology Use in Academic Libraries of Selected Tertiary Institutions in Ghana

Academic libraries are critical contributors to knowledge generation which serve a wide spectrum of knowledge seekers.The shift from print to digital information has a high impact on all components of the academic library system.This study examined the factors affecting ICT usage by academic libraries in selected tertiary institutions in Ghana.A total of eight (8) tertiary institutions were selected for the study, with ninety-six (96) respondents made up of librarians, academic staff and students.Questionnaires were used to elicit the relevant data for the study.The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis tools.The findings suggest that, there is a reasonable level of awareness among libraries of academic institutions about the potential benefits of ICT.Despite this, the current usage in most institutions was found to be unsophisticated.The study also identified budget constraints for ICT investment, inadequate commitment by management and erratic supply of electricity as major factors affecting usage.The study therefore concluded that more needs to be done in terms of policy commitment, training and upgrading of ICT infrastructure in order to improve the adoption and usage of ICT in academic libraries in Ghana.