In Search for Service Quality: The need for the Digitization of Printed Library Resources by the Colleges of Education in Nigeria

Many library patrons in Nigeria, particularly students in academic library environments, are digital natives who are better attuned to digital resources and services due to their convenience for access and use. The digitization of printed library resources in the Colleges of Education (COE) libraries in Nigeria would lead to higher efficiency and effectiveness in library operations, resulting in better service delivery and greater user satisfaction. This article employs a desk research approach to explore service quality in academic library environments, focusing specifically on the need for digitizing printed library resources by COEs in Nigeria. The concept of service quality is examined, and its dimensions are highlighted. The practices of service quality in libraries are discussed, and digitization is presented as a pathway to achieving service quality in libraries. The benefits of digitization in libraries are also highlighted. The paper recommends that COE libraries should keep pace with digital advancements to maintain relevance in the 21st-century society. Other recommendations include ensuring that digitization efforts are aligned with the goal of enhancing service quality and user satisfaction.