The role of Gender in Information Service delivery among Librarians in the Era of Information and Communication Technology

Abstract

The paper explored the role of gender in information service delivery among librarians in the era of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) using systematic review. Articles considered for this systematic review study include articles between the year range of 2000 and 2021, and information and materials used cuts across journal articles, books, and other online materials addressing the important issues that focus on this study. In addition, content analysis was deployed and information resources obtained were grouped into the major themes of the research objectives to address the objective of the study. The findings revealed that gender gap actually exists among librarians in the iinformation service delivery in the era of Information and Communication Technology. However, this may occur in different proportions that tend to favour the male librarians especially with regards to holding key positions such as supervisors, administrators and act as know-it-all librarians and demonstrate a high level of intellectual prowess couple with their proficiency in technology usage while the females hold lower positions in the libraries. But few women rise to hold supervisors, administrators, and other leadership positions. This has actually affected the motivation for women to embark on various career enhancement programmes and activities. Therefore, the study recommends that libraries should work to reverse gender stereotypes that could allow for upward mobility, and increase gender diversity among librarians and also focus on women empowerment with various technology and programming skills that would close the gender gap among librarians.