Abstract
Librarians, as an integral part of academia, are expected to conduct research to advance both their careers and their profession. However, this is not always possible due to certain factors. While researchers have examined various determinants of research productivity among librarians, scant attention has been paid to the issue of digital literacy skills, particularly in the context of public universities in South-West, Nigeria. Consequently, this study investigates digital literacy skills and research productivity of librarians in public universities in the South-West, Nigeria. Two hundred and two (202) librarians in public university libraries in the South-West, Nigeria. The survey research method was adopted with a total enumeration of the sample. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed a high level of research productivity (Mean = 3.31) and high digital literacy skills among the respondents (Mean = 3.51). In addition, the test of the hypothesis revealed that digital literacy skills have a significant but moderate influence (R2 = 215; p < 0.05) on research productivity. The study concluded that librarians in South-west Nigeria are well positioned to meet contemporary scholarly demands, especially if they are supported through targeted interventions to close identified skill gaps. It was therefore recommended that University management should sustain and expand existing research support structures, such as access to scholarly databases, research grants, and conference sponsorships, to maintain and further enhance this high level of productivity.
Keywords: Academic libraries, Digital literacy skills, Information needs, Research Productivity.
Publication Date: 2026-05-03