LEADERSIDP STYLES AS A CORRELATE OF USE OF KOHA INTEGRATED LIBRARY SOFTWARE IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Koha is an open-source integrated library software (ILS) used to manage all library functions. However, it is observed that university libraries in the southwest of Nigeria have not fully utilised it for the provision of library services. Therefore, this study examined leadership styles as a correlate of use of Koha ILS in public university libraries in southwest, Nigeria. The situational theory of leadershipand technology acceptance model provided the framework. A correlational survey design was adopted. Though, the study was limited to twelve public universities in the six states in Southwest, Nigeria where Koha was in use were used. All the 264 library personnel were enumerated. Leadership styles and use ofKoha ILS with reliability coefficients (a= 0.876) and ( a = 0.787) was the instrument developed and used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Cataloguing, circulation and OPAC are modules in Koha ILS used to search online catalogues and register library patrons among others. The leadership styles employed among the supervisors in using Koha ILS were transformational democratic and transactional. There was a significant and positive correlation between the use ofKoha ILS and LS, r (235) = .350, p = .000. The study suggests that leadership styles significantly influence the use of Koha ILS in southwest Nigerian public university libraries. It study recommends that supervisors should consistently emphasize and sustain transformational, democratic, and transactional leadership styles to encourage superior performance, leading to increased production, competitiveness, and effectiveness