Infopreneurship Readiness and Barriers among Librarians in Two FCT University Libraries

This study investigated infopreneurship readiness and barriers among librarians in two Federal Capital Territory (FCT) university libraries in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A structured questionnaire was administered to librarians in two university libraries in the FCT. Twenty-five (25) valid responses were analysed using mean score ratings on a five-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that librarians demonstrated a moderate level of infopreneurship readiness overall (mean = 3.41), with the strongest indicators being the ability to identify income-generating information products and effective use of digital technologies for service delivery (mean = 3.75 each). Respondents indicated that their libraries offer only limited institutional support for innovation and entrepreneurship (mean = 2.84), the weakest readiness indicator in the study. Barriers to infopreneurship were similarly rated as moderate overall (mean = 3.36), with poor internet connectivity (mean = 3.80), lack of awareness of information business opportunities (mean = 3.67), and lack of entrepreneurial training (mean = 3.58) identified as the most significant. On recommendations (overall mean = 3.47), respondents most strongly agreed that librarians should be encouraged to develop and market information products and services (mean = 3.83), that regular entrepreneurship training should be organised (mean = 3.79), and that partnerships with entrepreneurs and business organisations should be promoted (mean = 3.72). The study recommends that university management improve ICT infrastructure, particularly internet connectivity, strengthen institutional support for entrepreneurial innovation, and formally incorporate infopreneurship training and partnership-building into the continuous professional development agenda of library staff.

Keywords: Infopreneurship, Information Entrepreneurship, Library Professionals, ICT, University Libraries, FCT Abuja, Barriers, Readiness.