Problems and prospects of electronic resources usage in Nigerian academic libraries (original) (raw)
Related papers
2013
The paper discussed the impact of electronic information resources as an enabler of research activities in Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to survey the opinions of the researchers who are the regular users of the library under study. The study showed various electronic information resources available and the degree of its utilization by the researchers and postgraduate students. There is a significant influence of level of availability of electronic information resources on utilization [F(3,79) = 10,337, P<0.05]. The study also revealed that only 6.0% of respondents use e-resources frequently thus, the usage of e-resources is still very low in the university community. Consequently, it was recommended that the library should organize teaching of information literacy skills through user education programmes.
The electronic resources offer ease of use, wider access, more rapid updating, cost saving over local maintenance and storage, the librarians are finding it difficult to define issues related to policy of collection development and archiving of electronic resources. The electronic resources require continuing management to a far greater degree than print resources do. However, the primary aim of the electronic information resources and services will be to support the institution’s learning, teaching, and research, which might change significantly with number of users. This paper has conducted Assessment of Electronic Information Resources and Services in Kaduna State University Library, Kaduna- Nigeria. Recommendations for functional use of Electronic Information Resources and Services in Kaduna State University Library, Kaduna- Nigeria have also been given.
Information and Knowledge Management, 2015
The paper looked at the level of awareness of e-resources and utilization by librarians of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Nigeria. The adoption of e-resources has changed the way the daily routine work is carried out by the librarians to accomplish a variety of functions in the libraries. The instrument used for data collection is a questionnaire which was administered by the researcher to all the 16 professional librarians of the university. The 16 copies of the questionnaire were returned and found usable. The completed questionnaire was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Finding from the study revealed that majority of the respondents attested to the availability of internet/e-mail facilities as the most e-resources used by the librarians. Challenges against the usage of electronic resources by librarian were categorized. Recurrent power outages with (38%) topping the list, followed by limited bandwidth (25%), insufficient fund (19%), and inability to download information (12%), and network problems (06%).Furthermore, the e-resources were use for more than one purpose: for in-house official duty and information services to the patrons. As a way forward, the study recommends that the library should invest greater part of its budget into the
2020
I, Ojukwu, Njideka N. Charlotte declare that: (i) The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work. (ii) This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. (iii) This dissertation does not contain other persons' data, pictures, graphs, or information unless acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. (iv) This thesis does not contain other persons' writing unless acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers; where sources were quoted, then: (a) their words were rewritten , but the general information attributed to them are referenced; and (b) where their exact words are used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks and referenced. (v) Where a publication is reproduced, of which I am an author, co-author or editor, I have indicated in detail which part was written by myself and have fully referenced such publications. (vi) This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet unless acknowledged, and the source detailed in the dissertation and the references section.
International Journal of Library and Information Science, 2022
The study investigates the availability and accessibility of electronic information resources in federal college of education libraries in Northern Nigeria. The research adopted mixed research methods with a concurrent triangulation research design. The population of the study is 34, 846 library users and 12 college librarians. The sampled respondents were 378 and 9 college librarians. The research used interview and questionnaire for data collections. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that electronic information resources were found to be available on the platform of e-databases, institutional repository, e-Granary and CDS. Majority of the users had access to e-journal, e-newspapers and audio visual resources available. E-manuscripts, e-dissertations/theses/projects, e-discussion and e-images available were not accessible by majority of the respondents. The libraries had invested in EIRs development and provision of good access is a prerequisite to maximum use of the resources to enhance research, teaching and learning. The study recommended that libraries should acquire resources that are relevant to all users and provide unlimited access remotely, and network facilities should be boosted. Also, training on search skills should be given to enable users have access and use the resources without difficulty. Lastly, the management of the college and their libraries should ensure that all the challenges, such as power outages, denial of access and network fluctuations are minimized in order to encourage access and use of the resources in the libraries.
2021
Electronic information resources are regarded as important tools for providing library services to users especially in the digital age. Electronic information resources still need to be selected, acquired, described and effectively managed for utmost utilization by the growing number of library users. This paper explores on the management of electronic information resources in Nigerian university library environment. Through critical analysis of literature, the paper gave an in-depth evaluation of the concepts and significance of EIRs, types and formats. In addition, the paper described the Management practices of EIR in academic libraries. Such practices include the Back-end Management Tools for Library Staff and the Front-End Management Delivering Access to Users. A critical evaluation of the Management strategies of EIRs were also presented. Furthermore, the paper identified and reported a number of challenges associated with the management of EIRs in academic libraries. It is cl...
The purpose of this study is to focus on the use of electronic resources by undergraduates in three private university libraries in Southwest , Nigeria. It further seeks to examine the frequency of use of e-resources and problems encountered by undergraduates while using electronic resources. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 4,913 undergraduates of mission-owned private universities in Southwest , Nigeria. A stratified sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 370. Data was collected with a questionnaire. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents used e-resources to find relevant information in their area of studies; wrote term papers/did their assignments, and updated their knowledge. The findings also showed that e-resources were regularly used among undergraduates. The study concluded that poor connectivity and electricity failure constituted the major challenges to the use of eresources among undergraduates. The study recommended that efforts should be made by universities and library management in the selected institutions to improve on the bandwidth and enhance the Internet connectivity.
Survey of Electronic Resources use in Rivers State University Library
Ebonyi Journal of Library and Information Science, 2019
The study surveyed library electronic resources use in Rivers State University. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with a population of 2,459; a random sampling technique was adopted to sample 150 library users cutting across undergraduates, postgraduates, staff and researchers in Rivers State University. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. 100 copies of the instrument were returned and found valid for analysis. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The result shows that most of the students were aware and are using electronic resources such as Google, but were not aware of the library’s electronic resources and hence, were not using them. The channels of awareness were low as most of the students said they were not applicable since they were not even aware. For the few who were using, their reasons for using were: relevant and sufficient materials and assistance from staff. The major reason for not using library electronic resources was lack of awareness. It was therefore recommended that librarians in Rivers State University should create the necessary awareness that will encourage patrons’ utilization of electronic resources in the university studied.
Abonyi Journal of Library and Information Science Vol. 5 No. 1, 2018
This paper examines the challenges of electronic information resources (EIRs) management in federal University libraries in North Western states of Nigeria. The study used qualitative research methodology and narrative research design to collect data from participants. The population of the study comprised of ten (10) participants purposely sampled from the five (5) federal University libraries in the zone. Focus group interview was the instrument used to collect data, which was analyzed using thematic qualitative data analysis method. The study concludes that various types of EIRs such e-resources include electronic databases, these/dissertation, manuscript, conference/seminars proceeding, e-books, e-journals among others were held and maintained by the university libraries under study. The research also found that the low level of EIRs is as a result of instability of power supply and slow speed network as a result of low bandwidth which affect the internet connectivity, lack of well trained personnel with knowledge in science of management of electronic, technological equipment, poor funding, lack of policy guideline, lack of user education and lack of continuous training. The study recommended that modern ICTs are required for the management of EIRs which will definitely enhance the effective and efficient accessibility and utilization. Also, qualified and competent personnel should serve as e-librarians with regular training and retraining in place for the staff to be able to provide effective and quality service to library users. University libraries are libraries attached to Universities and patronized by students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff of the universities. According to Abubakar (2011), University libraries are at the forefront of providing information services to their respective communities,