ABSTRACT
This research work on “Utilization of Print and Electronic Information Resources and Services by Undergraduate Students of University Libraries in Niger State” was conducted to find out the available print and electronic information resources and services and their utilization by undergraduate students in university libraries in Niger State; Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai. The 200 level, 300 level and 400 level students of 2012/2013 session of the two universities constituted the population of the study. The total population of the undergraduate students of the two universities was 16, 455 and one percent of this population was sampled for the study. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The questionnaire were administered to the 165 undergraduate students out of which number, 126 (76.36%) duly completed and returned their copies which were used for analysis. The researcher used survey research method and closed questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. Descriptive statistical technique was used to analyze the data while tables and figures were used to aid clarity and understanding. The finding shows that majority of information resources in the university libraries were printed materials. This was indicated by high responses recorded for printed information resources such as textbooks (100%), encyclopedia (94.44%), Journals and newspapers (92.86%) each. The finding also revealed that printed information materials were highly patronized by undergraduate students. Computer related services such as Internet access, down loading, e-Books and printing were also rated high. The finding also shows that undergraduate students were satisfied with some of the print information services such as book borrowing, public access catalogue and bindery services. Some of the factors that influenced the choice of information resource type included fastness and currency and content of the information resource. The purpose of using information resources included assignment (100%), examinations (77.78%) and research (65.87%). It was also found out that undergraduate students faced challenges in using both print and electronic information resources and services. These include lack of awareness of information resources, obsolete books and relevant books. Other challenges included unstable Internet connectivity, lack of awareness of available resources, very slow network and constant power failure. Suggestions were offered on how to generally improve information resources. Finally, some recommendations were made to overcome the challenges, to provide print and value added electronic information resources for undergraduate students use.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
There are different types of libraries and their aims and objectives are determined by the organization they are established to serve. The concept of librarianship is based on provision of relevant, accurate and timely information services for the purpose of utilization by the clientele to achieve the objectives of their institutions. University libraries (academic libraries) are established in academic institutions to provide information resources and services to meet the information needs of the clientele (staff and students). Libraries established to provide information resources and services to support teaching, learning and research in academic institutions such as universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other similar institutions are referred to as academic libraries. Abubakar (2011) opined that academic libraries are at the forefront of providing information services to their respective communities which comprise of students, lecturers, and researchers to support teaching, learning and research.
To further give credence to the importance of libraries to academics, Weiner (2005) asserted that responsiveness to students and faculty needs, quality of service, and resilience is the hallmark of academic libraries. It is the core mandate of university libraries to acquire information resources (print and electronic) to provide information services to aid teaching and learning of undergraduate students. The undergraduate students constitute the largest set of university library users and they require different types of information resources (print and electronic) from university libraries to meet their information needs in all the programmes offered in the university. The undergraduate students rely mainly on university libraries to provide these information sources.
The predominant physical format of information resources were print such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets and they were the primary means of providing information services in university libraries. The development in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) brought about the emergence of electronic information resources and services in libraries such as Internet services, databases, Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), online catalogue and web resources. There is a paradigm shift in information resource and services in libraries with the advent of ICTs. Abubakar (2011) noted that the global trend is characterized by a fundamental shift from traditional information environment to an e-environment where emphasis is placed more on acquisition of e-resources such as e-books, e-journals as well as on-line databases.
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Research and Planning Committee (2010), a body responsible for environmental scanning, updating and identifying trends in academic libraries in its 2010 top ten trends in academic libraries opined that academic library collection growth will be driven by patron demand and will include new resources. The report further stated that „explosive growth of mobile devices and applications will drive new services‟ adding that „the definition of the library will change as physical space is repurposed and virtual space expanded.‟ The development of e-resources posed some challenges to university library‟s ability to provide information resources and services for undergraduate students and other categories of its clientele. At the time that printed information resources were the only or main sources of information and services, librarians selected, acquired, processed, stored and organized these information (print) resources for patrons to utilize. The electronic resources, development, organization and services have radically deviated from the traditional approach used for print resources, such as acquisition, organization, processing, storage, accessing and services. Wan Dallah and Singh (2005) observed that librarians faced various challenges in the digital environment, which included building the resources, sustaining the resources, and library staff training to fulfill the need of the users in the information age. Access to information is very important in modern world and lack of it leads to some kind of disadvantage or information poverty. According to Fahey (2003), those that cannot access electronic information will experience electronic information poverty (EIP). In this regard, undergraduate students that depended on university libraries to provide information resources to support their study and learning will face challenges of access and use of information resources and services. This will impact negatively on their studies and programmes.
This research focused on Federal University of Technology Minna and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai libraries. Federal University of Technology Minna was established in 1983 by the Federal Government of Nigeria while Badamasi Babangida
University Lapai (IBBUL) was founded by Niger State Government in 2005. Federal University of Technology Minna operates two libraries; Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim Library in Bosso Campus while and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library is located at Gidan Kwanu Campus. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai is located in Lapai and operates in one campus only. The name of library is Abubakar Gimba Library.
University libraries in Nigeria face various challenges most of which border on poor funding. The availability of regular and adequate funds is essential for libraries to operate and to perform its mandatory role in terms of provision of information resources and services to its parent institution. It becomes difficult for university libraries to provide adequate and current information (print and electronic) resources and services to undergraduate students when funds are not available. A report on Nigerian academic libraries by Ifijeh (2011) observed that
„facilities and information resources are inadequate and students use the libraries mainly for study space.‟ This was also corroborated by Daniel (2002) that „poor quality library resource, had depressed quality of teaching, learning and research‟ in academic institutions in Nigeria.
However, in another research, Gbaje (2007) indicated that Nigerian Communications Commission‟s regulatory efforts have led to increased competition and availability of voice, data and Internet applications services. This increase was expected to motivate or serves as impetus for university libraries to improve their information resources and services access through the provision of e-resources to complement print information resources and services. Electronic information resources had become important sources of information in academic institutions around the world. The acquisition and deployment of information resources and services by the university libraries for undergraduate students‟ utilization is imperative because academic institutions in Nigeria are part of the global community of academics. This need and aspiration was realized some decades ago and attempts were made by individual academic libraries to deploy ICT facilities and advocacies were reported in literature such as Fatoki (2005), Ani et al (2005), Etim (2006), and Womboh and Abba (2008) to improve access and utilization of information resources in academic libraries in Nigeria. Okebukola (2002) believed that access to virtual libraries would improve the quality of teaching and research in higher institutions through the provision of current e-books, e-journals and other library resources.
In a related discourse, Ya‟u (2003) observed that virtual library would provide the opportunity to address the paucity of teaching and research materials in the libraries of higher institutions in Nigeria and opportunity for sharing of research outputs with the global community amongst the institutions and the local researchers. It is important to find out the information resources and services that university libraries provide for undergraduate students who constitute a very large segment of its patrons against the background of the poor state academic libraries described above. This study was conducted to find out the print and electronic information resources and services provided or available in university libraries in
Niger State for undergraduate students programmes.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The dearth of information resources and services in academic institutions (universities) in Nigeria had been reported by many researchers. For example, a report by Ifijeh (2011) on university libraries found that „information resources are inadequate and students used the libraries mainly for study spaces.‟ In another study, Daniel (2002) lamented on library services in educational institutions; according to him „poor quality library resource had depressed quality of teaching, learning and research.‟ These indicate that Nigerian university libraries do not have adequate library information resources and facilities in place for undergraduate students that constituted the largest group of academic library users. In another study, Ehikhamenor (2003) cited in Oladejo and Adelua (2012) reported that 77.5% of Nigerian students rated electronic journals as „important‟ or „very important‟ based on expected, rather than actual use. However, considering the time lag, electronic information resources infrastructure is more available and accessible now to Nigerian students (Azubogu and Madu,
2007) and the fact that Nigerian universities have continued to graduate students every year; it
is expedient to find out information resources and services provided by university libraries for undergraduate students use. It is the statutory responsibility of university libraries to provide information resources and services (print and electronic) such as books, journals, web resources, databases, CD-ROM for undergraduate students use. Access to print and electronic information resources and services are essential for undergraduate students‟ programmes in the universities. This study focused on assessment of utilization of information resources and services provided by university libraries to facilitate undergraduate students‟ studies. In the light of this, the researcher specifically intended to find out print and electronic information resources and services provided by university libraries for undergraduate students use in Niger State.
1.3 Research Questions
This study seeks to provide answers to the following questions:
1. What print and electronic information resources are provided by university libraries for undergraduate students use in Niger State?
2. What print and electronic information services are provided in university libraries for undergraduate students in Niger State?
3. What is the level of satisfaction with print and electronic information resources and services provided by university libraries for undergraduate students use in Niger State?
4. What are the challenges faced by undergraduate students in using print and electronic information resources and services in university libraries in Niger State?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this study include the following:
1. To find out the print and electronic information resources provided by university libraries for undergraduate students use in Niger State.
2. To find out the print and electronic information services provided in university libraries for undergraduate students in Niger State.
3. To determine the level of satisfaction with print and electronic information resources and services provided by university libraries in Niger State.
4. To determine the challenges faced by undergraduate students in using print and electronic information resources and services available in university libraries in Niger State.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be useful for planning and provision of relevant and up-todate library services in university libraries in Nigeria in general and Niger State in particular. It will enable the university libraries to know the needs of their patrons (undergraduates) better and how to provide library services that meet their expectations. It will also assist librarians in advancing convincing reasons to their managements for improved funding for information service delivery. The findings will also provide guide to library managers on library budget for acquisition of information resources. This will ensure judicious and proportionate financial allocation based on needs and preferences of library patrons. This will go a long way to assist libraries achieve user satisfaction in provision of information resources and services. The findings will also have significant impact on future library building plan or expansion in terms of provision of space for different types of library services. Lastly, it will also aid library managers on information resources development policy to provide better services in academic libraries.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study covers two university libraries; Federal University of Technology Minna
(FUTM) and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL). Federal University of
Technology, Minna (FUTM) operates on two Campuses; namely Bosso Campus and Gidan
Kwanu Campus. The library located in Bosso Campus is known as Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim
Library while that of Gidan Kwanu Campus is known as Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library. The undergraduate patrons of these two libraries constituted the study population of Federal
University of Technology Minna Library. In this regard, whenever reference is made to FUT
Minna library in this study, it refers to Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim Library and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library in the two campuses. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL) operates on one campus where the library is located. The name of the library is Abubakar Gimba Library. The undergraduate students‟ of these two universities that are located in Niger State constituted the population of this study.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
This study focused on the main or central libraries of these universities and not departmental libraries or any other library operated by the two universities elsewhere. The postgraduate students and other categories of library users or branches and departmental service points of these two universities are not part of the population of this study whether such libraries are situated in these campuses or anywhere else. The population of study is the undergraduates‟ students of 2012/2013 session of the two universities in Niger State. The IBBU Lapai run four year degree programme while FUT Minna run five year degree programme. At the time of conducting this study, Federal University of Technology Minna had not commenced the process of admission of fresher students for 2013/2014 session and the 500 level students were writing their final examinations. Some of the departments had completed 500 level final year examinations at the time of administering the questionnaire and because of this; 500 level students were not included in this study since they were not available for sampling. In the case of Ibrahim
Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, the 100 level students‟ admission for 2013/2014 was ongoing and students had not resumed. The study population was limited to 200, 300 and 400 level undergraduate students of 2012/2013 session of FUT, Minna and IBBU, Lapai.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined in the context in which they have been used in this study:
E-resources: Information materials that are in electronic format such as CD, Computer readable, database, web databases, Internet, etc.
Print: Information material whose information content is printed on paper using ink and bound together or not in form of books, journals, magazines, indexes, pamphlet etc
Services: These include loans, reading spaces, reprographic services, referral, interlibrary services and directional and personal assistance offered to users to facilitate use of information resources in the library
Utilization: A process or act of using or deriving benefits from resources or services to accomplish task or desire
Undergraduate: A student admitted to study a first degree programme in a university leading to the award of a Bachelors Degree.
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