Abstract:

The advancement in “technology” has brought with it an information explosion causing excessive information everywhere. Hence, there is a huge amount of information resulting in information overload. Information overload is being experienced everywhere, in public and private organizations, institutions, government officers, information users, individuals and so on. This study, therefore, attempts to examine the causes of information overload and the role of librarians in information dissemination in tertiary institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria. Seventy-two (72) librarians from tertiary institutions in the state were used as the population for the study. A structured questionnaire was developed by the researchers for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that receiving repetitive massages, an explosion in the volume of information sources, and the advent of technological innovation, among others, are the major causes of information overload. The study also revealed that SDI, e-SDI, referral services, and CAS are the major ways through which librarians can disseminate information promptly to users. The study further revealed that information filtering, and information withdrawal, among others, are the major strategies used by librarians in Cross River state to improve and remedy information overload. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that librarians and information professionals should provide effective and innovative ways/strategies for tackling the problem of information overload.

References:

[1] Suhaimi, F. A. &Hussin, N. (2017). The Influence of Information overload on Students’ academic performance. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Science 7(8), 760-766.

[2] Edmunds, A. & Morris, A. (2000). The Problem of Information Overload in Business Organizaitons: A review of the Literature. International Journal of Information Management, 20(1) 17-28.

[3] Butcher, H. (1998). Meeting Manager’s needs. London. Aslib, p. 53.

[4] Herbig, P.A. & H. Kramer, 1994. “The Effect of Information Overload on the Innovation Choice”, Journal of Consumer, 11(2): 45-54.

[5] Rajabzadeh, A; Nejadirani, F.; Soroodian, R. and Kermani, (2011). Informational overload; roots consequences. Australian Journal of basic and applied sciences. 5(2). 353-359.

[6] Fan, J. & Smith, A.P. (2021). Information overload, wellbeing, and COVID-19: A Survey in China. Journal of Behavioural Sciences 11(62). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11050062. Retrieved on 18th of February 2022.

[7] Bawden, D. Holtham, C. & Courtney, N. (1999). Perspectives on Information Overload: Aslib Proceedings, 51(8), 249-254.

[8] Sadiku, M. N. D., Shadare, A. E. & Musa, S. M. (2016). Information Overload: causes and cures. Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST), 3(4).

[9] Klapp, O. E. (1986). Overload and boredom: Essay on the quality of life in the information society. Westport Conn.: Greenwood Press.

[10] Etsua-Mensah (1999) Drowning in Information and Thirsting for Knowledge: The Information Professional’s Dilemma. Ghana Library Journal. Volumes 10 and 11. 1-9.

[11] Wilson, T. (2001) Information Overload Myth, Reality, and Implications for Health Care. iSHMR. 22 Slides. www.slideshare.net/mondinacarmo/apresentao-professor-tom-wilson Retrieved 18-05-2011

[12] Allen, D. & Wilson, T. (2016). ‘‘Information Overload: Context and Causes”. The new review of Information Behaviour Research. Dol. 10. 1080/147163103-1000 1631426.

[13] Strother, J. B., Ulijn, J. and Fazal, Z. (2012). (ed)Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[14] Eppler, M. & J. Mengis, 2002. “The Concept of Information Overload: A review of literature from organization Science, Marketing, Accounting, MIS, and related disciplines”, MCM Research paper, HSG/MCM/01, pp: 325-344.

[15] Tidline, Tonya J. (1999). The mythology of information overload. Library trends. Vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 485-506.

[16] Kadiri, J. A & Adetoro, N. A. (2012). Information explosion and the challenges of information and communication technology utilization in Nigerian libraries and information centres. Ozean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1).

[17] Cabonero, D. A., Domincel, C. J. G.; Bannog, Z. W.; Dacanay, M. J. A. and Camonayan, M. P. G. (2019). “A Proposed Electronic Selective Dissemination of Information Through SMS and Email in an Academic Library”. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/3552.

[18] O’Neil, E. K. (2001). Selective dissemination of information in the dynamic web. Retrieved from http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~cyberia/papers/eko_thesis.pdf.

[19] Ashikuzzaman, R. (2014). Selective dissemination of information (SDI): Meaning and definition. Retrieved from http://www.lisbdnet.com/selective-dissemination-of-information.

[20] Cabonero, D. A.; Tindan, C. B.; Attaban, B. H. & Manat, D.A.S. (2019). The effectiveness, reason, and problems in current awareness services in an academic library towards crafting an action plan. Library philosophy and practice (e-journal).2493. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2493.

[21] Dongardive, P. (2013). Information repackaging in library services. International journal of science and research (IJSR) 2(11) www.ijsr.net.

[22] Edewor, N. (2016). Marketing library and information services in selected university libraries in Africa. International Journal of Advanced Library and Information.

[23] Adetomiwa, B. (2015). Selective dissemination of information (SDI) services in a Nigerian university: A report. African Journals Online, 6 (3). Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/iijikm/article/view/144671.

[24] Salim, M. (2011). Information overload and its implications for a corporate library: as perceived by eight researchers at Astra Zeneca.