Metaverse academic library: would it be patronized?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-04-2022-0036 |
| Published date | 02 March 2023 |
| Date | 02 March 2023 |
| Pages | 229-240 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
| Author | Adebowale Jeremy Adetayo,Sowemimo Ronke Adekunmisi,Blessing Damilola Abata-Ebire,Adedokun Adedayo Adekunmisi |
Metaverse academic library:
would it be patronized?
Adebowale Jeremy Adetayo
Department of Library and Information Science, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria
Sowemimo Ronke Adekunmisi
University Library, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria
Blessing Damilola Abata-Ebire
Department of Library and Information Science, Federal Polytechnic Ede,
Ede, Nigeria, and
Adedokun Adedayo Adekunmisi
Department of Library and Information Science,
Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to examine if studentswould patronize metaverse academic library (MAL) if it
becomesavailable in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach –This study used a descriptive survey research design. The
population was made up of 1,037 undergraduate in Adeleke University. Descriptive statistic was used to
analyse data.
Findings –Findings indicatedmost students have never used virtual reality(VR) equipment, they are eager
to use MAL for virtual academic research, library user education, accessing circulation services, reading
serials andcontacting reference librarians. The studyconcluded that MAL would be patronisedby students if
it is made available and thereforerecommends that greater effort be made to make VR gear accessible and
cheap for developingnations such as Nigeria.
Originality/value –The study is novelas it contributes to scarce research on MAL.
Keywords Academic library, Metaverse, Virtual reality, Augmented reality, Library patronage,
Library services
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The metaverse is now more popular than ever. This is due, in part, to Mark Zuckerberg’s
announcement on 28 October, 2021that Facebook had changed its name to “Meta”to match
the company with its focus on new computing technologies and the metaverse. The
increasing interest in the metaverse is visible in Google Trend data following Mark
Zuckerberg’s pressrelease.
Metaverse is a technology hybrid that combines virtual reality (VR), augmented reality
(AR) and video to allow users to “live”within a digital universe.The concept of a metaverse
extends beyond commerce and entertainment to create a truly virtual artificial community
Conflict of interest: None.
Funding: There was no funding for this research.
Metaverse
academic
library
229
Received18 April 2022
Revised23 September 2022
Accepted3 November 2022
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.39 No. 2, 2023
pp. 229-240
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-04-2022-0036
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/2059-5816.htm
To continue reading
Request your trial