Abstract
The paper examined social media integration in the delivery of library services in the 21st
century. The paper covered several contents including the roles of social media in enhancing the
relevance of academic libraries; the 21st skill set necessary for effective implementation of social
media powered library services. It further highlighted the strategies for effective integration of
social media in academic library services delivery. This paper adopted content analysis and,
reviewed several literatures related to social media use in academic libraries. The study found out
that to be able to stay relevant in the socially networked environment and meet the growing needs
of its patrons in the 21st century, it has become imperative for academic libraries to fully integrate
social media, which has become a library technology that has the capacity to expand the frontiers
of library service delivery as well as to reach the hitherto unreached categories of patrons. The
study suggested among others that, academic libraries in Nigeria should design a social media
strategy which would guide a smooth integration and use of social media. That library and
information professionals in Nigeria should engage in aggressive social media campaigns and
awareness so as to enhance the patronage of their library services and resources. The study also
suggests that institutions of higher learning in Nigeria should ensure adequate budgetary
provision for the purchase and maintenance of technologies and facilities to effectively drive the
social media implementation for effective service delivery.
Keywords: Social media, Library Services, 21st century libraries, ICT
Publication Date: 2024-01-28