Abstract:
This paper discusses awareness and utilization of scholarly infrastructure among LIS academics
in federal universities in northern Nigeria. Grounded in a conceptual model linking awareness,
utilization, and visibility, the study explores the relationships among these variables using data
collected from 311 respondents. Despite high levels of awareness of Open Access platforms and
institutional repositories, actual utilization remains modest, particularly for advanced citation
indexing tools. The study identifies institutional inertia, digital illiteracy, and lack of structured
policies as limiting factors. Through inferential statistics and correlation analysis, the research
highlights the need for deliberate institutional strategies to enhance digital engagement and
scholarly visibility. The article concludes with recommendations for integrating scholarly
infrastructure into national higher education policies to support research visibility and
collaboration.
Keywords: Awareness, Utilization, scholarly infrastructure, LIS academics, citation tools,
academic librarians, Nigeria.
Publication Date: 2025-11-08