Whatsapp Technology and its Impact on Library Services: A Study of Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria.

This study investigated the impact of WhatsApp technology on library services at the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology (FCFFT), New-Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. Utilising a descriptive survey design, the study aimed to: determine the adoption of WhatsApp in FCFFT library services, identify the purposes for which WhatsApp is used, explore the library services that can be delivered via WhatsApp, assess the effectiveness of these services, ascertain user preference for WhatsApp as a communication mode and identify factors affecting service delivery through WhatsApp. A self-developed questionnaire was administered to 200 National Diploma 1 and Higher National Diploma 1 students during the 2023/2024 academic session, achieving a 100% response rate. Data were analysed using frequency distributions and simple percentages, supplemented by the researcher’s observations. The findings revealed high WhatsApp usage among students, with a perception of it being a suitable platform for receiving current information. However, a significant portion of students were unaware of the potential for WhatsApp-based library services. The study concluded that WhatsApp is a robust technology that can be effectively integrated with digital library services to enhance accessibility, particularly in remote areas. The study recommended increasing awareness of WhatsApp-based library services, incorporating WhatsApp into academic activities such as online classes and lecture reviews, establishing student WhatsApp platforms for information dissemination, promoting access to affordable devices and actively adopting WhatsApp for library service delivery.