Relevance of blockchain technology and the management of libraries and archives in the 4IR

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the awareness and perception of the relevance of blockchain technology in the management of libraries and archives in the fourth industrial revolution in a developing country, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Ten system librarians selected from five different libraries and ten archivists selected from five different archives in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria represent the sample for the study. The study adopted a purely qualitative approach where data was collected through an open-ended questionnaire mailed to the participants to guide against physical contact and maintained social distancing to observe COVID-19 protocol. Findings The results reveal that both the librarians and archivists are aware of blockchain technology, its adoption and use in libraries and archives. There is a positive perception about blockchain technology believing that it can assist libraries and archives in storing information in a distributed settings through gathering, preserving and sharing authoritative information, and supports archivists in creating a unique verifiable record that can be accessed by anyone in archives. Implementation, maintenance cost and difficulty in sustainability are identified as the challenges of blockchain adoption. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to one geopolitical zone of Nigeria which necessitates the need for further research on the similar subject matter in other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Practical implications The findings of the study have identified the need for librarians and archivists to increase their awareness and develop a positive perception toward blockchain technologies. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to research the relevance of blockchain technology in Nigerian libraries and archives. This paper reported the benefits libraries and archives could derive from the adoption of blockchain, and how such can improve effective services delivery to the satisfaction of the users of archives and libraries.