Use of Library Information Resources by Undergraduate in Universities in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated use of library information resources in university libraries in Katsina State, Nigeria. Three (3) objectives and three (3) research questions form the bases of the study. Quantitative methodology with cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Three hundred and ninety-four (394) respondents were used as sample size for the study from a population of thirty-eight thousand, six hundred and twenty-one (38621) and were selected through simple random sampling technique. Additionally, descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage counts were used in analyzing the data. Out of the total number of three hundred and ninety-four (394) copies of questionnaire distributed. Only two hundred and seventy-two (272) were duly completed, returned and found usable for analysis, representing 79.6% response rate. The findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents indicated availability of information resources in their libraries and further revealed that majority of the respondents indicated that they purposely use information resources on examination and assignment. The findings also revealed that there are challenges relating to lack of awareness, digital skills and current information resources, lack of adequate computer facilities, epileptic internet access and provision of standby generator to improve the utilization of library information resources. The management of the university libraries in Katsina State should try and make the information resources identified low (CD-ROM databases, printed magazines, year books, online reference materials etc). The university lecturers in the studied area should make more efforts to encourage students to use the available information resources in the library to expand what was learned in classroom. Lastly, the management of the university libraries in Katsina State should try and create awareness, provide digital skills, provision of current information resources, provision of adequate computer facilities, provision of good internet access and provision of standby generator to improve the utilization of information resources by undergraduate students.