Journal of ICT Development, Applications and Research, 4(1/2), 85 – 95, 2022 ISSN: 2636-7432 (Print) 2636-7440 (Online) Available online at credencepressltd.com DOI 10.47524/jictdar.v4i1.86 Assessment of the traditional and emerging roles of university libraries in Nigeria 1 Susan N. Umeozor, PhD and 2 Ahiaoma Ibegwam, Prof. 1 Donald Ekong Library, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 2 Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria E-mail: 1 susan.umeozor@uniport.edu.ng, 2 ahiaoma.ibegwam@uniuyo@edu.ng Abstract This study was conducted to assess the traditional and emerging roles of university libraries in Nigeria. Census sampling technique was used to sample all the 43 Nigerian Federal university libraries. Structured questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency count and mean scores. Results indicated that the traditional roles were rooted in acquisition and preservation of information and in the provision of access to information in various formats. The respondents agreed with only 7 of the possible 18 emerging roles of libraries indicating that the understudied libraries are slow in attuning to the internet, World Wide Web and ICT. Respondents agreed with 11 out 15 possible challenges militating against the adoption of emerging roles of academic libraries in information service delivery. Most of these challenges are administrative and personnel. It was concluded that while university libraries are aware of the traditional roles of libraries, they are yet to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the trio of the internet, World Wide Web and ICT. The recommendation is that the library should adopt the technologies of the internet, World Wide Web and ICT and acquire necessary training in implementation of these innovations to boost library service delivery. Keywords: Federal university libraries, traditional roles of libraries, emerging roles of libraries, challenges of the emerging roles of libraries, Nigeria Introduction Society organizes and directs major activities through identifiable social institutions. Such activities include education, economy, politics, security, and business, among others. The library, as a social institution, is primarily known as precursor for organization of knowledge and information resources. The library acquires, preserves all activities of man, and provides information resources and services to all members of the society. Consequently, the libraries are referred to as collectors and stewards of cultural heritage of any society (educational, cultural, technological, political, economic etc.). They curate the information resources by collecting knowledge of the past and present, and lay it down for the future – adding values by cataloguing, classifying, and describing them, and, as public institutions, they assure equality of access for all (Murugan and Krishna 2018). Thus, the role of the library in the society cuts across education, lifelong learning, recreation and entertainment, societal and cultural. Few decades ago, library professionals advocated for the application of technology into the mainstream of library operations. The wonders and innovations of technologies are being propagated in educational, social, political, and economic circles (Ajidahun, 2007). Currently, the presence of technology in librarianship is constantly challenging the competency of librarians in providing information resources and services. Hence, managing the current trends in information and communication in library operations necessitates the identification of the emerging roles and acquisition of new skills to accommodate latest developments in librarianship. The emergence of information technology is exerting considerable impact on the dynamism of the society and the same is true of library operations necessitating constant need for adaptation. Presently, information is contained in sophisticated 85