Students’ Perception, Use and Challenges of Electronic Information Resources in Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun Library in Nigeria

Saturday U. Omeluzor, Alarape Asimi Akibu Ph.D. and Olusipe Abiodun Akinwoye

 

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ perception, use and challenges of electronic information resources in Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. A census sampling technique was used and data was gathered from Two hundred and forty-nine students of 500 level in the Departments in College of Technology. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while regression analysis was used to analyze result of the hypothesis. The result revealed that electronic information resources are used at different level by the respondents with e-journal, e-database, web OPAC and repositories recording high usage. It shows that users’ perception influences use of electronic information resources in academic libraries with (β =.214, p<.05). From the findings, it is deduced that users’ perception influences use of e-resources in academic libraries, while lack of awareness, lack of training, unreliable Internet connectivity, insufficient e-resources in various study areas, unavailability of e-resources on 24/7 and difficulty of identifying relevant information to meet users’ needs are challenges hindering use of e-resources. The study concludes that librarians should acquire more e-resources to cover various study areas, create more awareness of e-resources at the library to change users’ perception and introduce a 24/7 internet services.

Keyword: Electronic information resources, User perception, challenges, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun. 

Access this publication on digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1428

Social Networking Tools in Library Service Delivery: The Case of Academic Libraries in South-East Zone of Nigeria

Saturday U. Omeluzor, Gloria O. Oyovwe-Tinuoye and Imam Abayomi

Abstract
A lot of literature exists concerning acceptance and utilization of ‘social networking’ (SN) tools in academic libraries from different parts of the world. However, only a handful of work has been done on librarians’ use of SN in academic libraries in South-East, Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated librarians’ use of SN in academic libraries in South-East, Nigeria. This study adopted a survey design using 173 librarians from the zone. Finding shows that some librarians use SN in libraries for delivery of library services. It also reveals that SN is  beneficial and cost effective for academic libraries to adopt. Some challenges identified in this study inhibiting use of SN in academic libraries are erratic power supply, inadequate skill to manipulate SN and other ICT tools, technophobia, lack of awareness, insufficient bandwidth, apathy in using modern technologies and lack of internet connection. The study suggested that SN should be adopted in academic libraries for library service delivery. It recommended that academic libraries should prioritize training and retraining of librarians in the use of emerging and current internet resources, provision of power supply, ICT facilities and Internet connection to enhance delivery of library services.

Keywords: Social networking, academic libraries, librarian, South-East, Nigeria, service delivery

Access the full publication on http://publications.drdo.gov.in/ojs/index.php/djlit/article/view/10174

IS THE LIBRARY FACING COMPETITION?

The answer to the above question is YES. It is true that libraries are facing serious oppositions and competitors in the business of information services. While some librarians may not mind the threat that such competition pose to the existence of the Library, Lee Hisle (2002) noted that “the rise of the Web as the first choice for student and faculty researchers represents a departure from traditional scholarly research patterns”. Unfortunately, most libraries are yet to depart from the traditional methods of information service delivery. Furthermore, Matthews (2011) wrote: "Nowhere is change more evident than in the librarian profession. We are; seeing commercial competition for information access and delivery services arise routinely, making ineffective attempts to serve young library customers whose needs we don’t understand, being inundated with technology beyond our capacity to keep pace, while knowing our younger customers are more technologically savvy than we. We are experiencing library closures everywhere and rampant privatization of library management, regardless of our best achievements. Affects on libraries are obviously more than just the bad economy based on daily reports of unforeseen changes in all of the external factors that influence libraries and librarians." There are strong indications that if libraries does not change, it may lose out because the competitors in the information sector (library domain) are highly prepared, using available online tools to outwit their opponent (libraries). Their effort is to relegate libraries to the background in order to remain in business. Regrettably, most librarians are not aware of this. It will interest librarians to know that some of the strategies utilized by these competitors are not far-fetched. Therefore, we are joining forces with the IT section of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) to call for action and to revolutionize library services through the use of online tools in order to increase visibility, awareness and marketing of library services for competitive advantage. We are ready to offer services to interested librarians/libraries by introducing customized e-resources such as Blogs and Institutional Repositories (IR) among others. This will be hosted 24/7 on the Internet and will be accessible to potential and current library users. Advantages: 1. It will serve as a current awareness platform for the library to notify its potential and current users about new collections that are being added. 2. It will provide immediate access to information and will draw users to the library. 3. It will be a point of call for information search and retrieval. 4. It may be used as a library’s webpage which can be linked to the University’s website. 5. It will support publication of institutionally based research findings. 6. It will help in the ranking of the affected University. 7. It may attract grant for the affected university. 8. It will serve as a feedback mechanism for the library for improvement in services being rendered to the users. 9. It will capture the needs of potential and current library users thereby given librarians opportunity to quickly respond to them. Technical support Support services will be duly provided to interested libraries. It will be managed by a systems librarian of the University Library. It is modifiable and customizable which will represent and display the affected Library/University identity. A close sample of this is found on http://babcockuniversitylibrary.blogspot.com.ng/ Note that this site was created long ago and we have gone beyond this to enabling site with apps, tabs and drop down menus for more options. Interested librarians/libraries should please contact: Saturday U. Omeluzor on +2348068403268 or send an email to someluzor@yahoo.com or someluzor@gmail.com Acknowledgement: Lee Hisle, W. (2002). Top issues facing academic libraries: A report of the Focus on the Future Task Force. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/proftools/recruiting/topissuesfacing Matthews, K. (2011). Five challenges every Librarians must face. Retrieved from http://21stcenturylibrary.com/2011/10/12/five-challenges-every-librarian-must-face/