UTILIZATION OF PRINT AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

(A CASE STUDY OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Education

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.