Leadership Style and ICT Usage as Determinants of Staff Performance in University Libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

University libraries play vital role in supporting teaching, learning, and research, yet staff performance is often shaped by leadership practices and use of information and communication technologies (ICT). This study investigated leadership style and ICT usage as determinants of staff performance in university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. Three objectives guided the study: to examine the influence of leadership style on staff performance, to assess the effect of ICT usage on staff performance, and to evaluate their joint impact. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 114 library staff across three universities in Kwara State using a structured questionnaire. Analysis was conducted with descriptive statistics, ANOVA, pairwise correlation, and multiple regression. Results showed that while democratic and transformational leadership were most common, ICT usage, although constrained by inadequate infrastructure and limited training, emerged as the stronger predictor of performance, significantly enhancing efficiency and service delivery. The study concludes that improved library outcomes require a combination of context-sensitive leadership and sustained ICT investment. It recommends continuous leadership training, regular ICT capacity building, and clear institutional policies to strengthen staff productivity and service quality.