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/

Institutional Repository (IR) Awareness and Willingness of Faculty Staff to Deposit Research Work: A Study of Faculty Staff in Selected Public and Private University in Nigeria

Saturday U. Omeluzor

Abstract

This study appraised the awareness and willingness of faculty staff in Nigerian universities to deposit their pre and post research publications in open access institutional repository. Two universities (one private and one public) were systematically selected for this study. Nigeria has a total of 129 universities; 79 are public universities, while 50 are private universities. The researcher purposefully selected two universities from the public and private for convenience and easy analysis. The population of study cut across all faculty staff in the selected universities given a total number of 179 academic staff. Findings reveal that the majority of the respondents (52% and 36% from private and public universities respectively) are aware of IR. Findings also showed that majority (62% and 44% of the respondents in the private and public universities respectively) have published 1 - 10 research publications using materials from IR. While 22% and 26% of the respondents have also published up to 11 - 20 publications using materials published in IR. Unfortunately, despite benefiting from IR, findings revealed that 88% and 96% of the respondents from private and public universities have not deposited any publication in IR. The researcher, therefore, recommended that awareness of IR in institutions of higher learning should be prioritized and faculty staff should be encouraged to contribute to IR project as a means of increasing their relevance, visibility and ranking and that of their affiliated university. Access the complete article on  http://www.oalib.com/articles/3129876#.Vgu3AiuDST8

Effect of Brain Drain (Human Capital Flight) of Librarians on Service Delivery in Some Selected Nigerian Universities

Clara Chinyere Okoro, Saturday U. Omeluzor and Itunu A.Bamidele

Abstract

This study seeks to describe and analyze the challenges occasioned by brain drain or human capital flight of librarians on service delivery in Nigerian Universities. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select two geopolitical zones (South-South and South-West) from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Total enumeration was  used because the population under study was considered appropriate for the research. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. Sixty copies of the instrument were distributed to 60 librarians in the two selected geopolitical zones. Copies of all the questionnaires were completed, retrieved, and found usable, thus giving a response rate of 100%. Survey results indicated that 315 librarians emigrated to foreign lands for various reasons, including unstable academic calendar and prospects for further training among others. This loss of personnel in the university libraries has a negative impact on service delivery as qualified information professionals and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts are limited to mentor the younger professionals. Shift duties in academic libraries are also scaled down for lack of manpower. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that the Federal Government of Nigeria should, as a matter of urgency, robustly fund tertiary education to enhance productivity. As they do this, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is to empower academic libraries by ensuring that the staff development policy is strictly adhered to. This will translate into self-enhancement for staff, positive job attitude, and retention of professionals in the system.
For further detail, read more http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/4/3/2158244014541131.full-text.pdf+html

Utilization of Journal Publications by Undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Nigeria

Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor and Hannah U. Amadi

Introduction
Journal publications serve a very important purpose for learning, teaching and research in any university. According to Ogunniyi, Akerele, and Afolabi (2011), a well stocked and organized library is a pride of any educational institution. Academic journals according to the College at Brockport (2013) are periodicals in which researchers publish articles on their work. Research articles that discuss recent findings are published in journal. Also, journal publications contain theoretical discussions and articles that critically review already published work. Journals are typically peer-reviewed which means that articles published in them were read and critically examined by more than one reviewer to ensure that it is in accordance to acceptable standard for publication.
Journal is one among the serials subscribed by libraries all over the world with authenticated research results and findings in different areas of knowledge. According to Keenan and Johnson (2000), Feather and Sturges (2004), and Reitz (2004), serial is any publication that is published in any medium issued under the same title in a succession of discrete parts usually numbered (or dated) and appearing either in regular or irregular intervals with no predetermined conclusion. Serial publications are provided in successive parts to users and is intended to be available and continued indefinitely in the library. Serials publications include periodicals, newspapers, magazines, journals and annuals (reports, yearbooks), continuing directories, proceedings and transactions, and numbered  monographic series. Most libraries subscribe to journal publications on continuous basis. Nonetheless, a specific journal title is identified by a unique international standard serial number (ISSN) and a key title assigned and maintained by the international serials data system (ISDS). Consequently, journal is among the diverse information materials that are available in any library. It is needed especially by faculty and research students to support in accumulating current literature review and findings. Madu and Adeniran (2005) outline some characteristics of journal which include, the editor might change; the content of each issue is different; the publication interval varies;
they are published annually, bi-annually, monthly, quarterly, forth-nightly and weekly; no planned end to the sequence; currency (up-to-date); more expensive than books, and are usually subscribed to.
Before the inception and advancement of ICT use in library services, journals were mainly printed and manually distributed. However with the development of ICT, and its subsequent usage in the library, dissemination of most journals is electronically managed via the Internet and catalogued, accessed and retrieved from databases. Journals that are subscribed by a library form an important and useful collection of the library stock. Also, articles in journals are published more rapidly than books and thus journal constitute vital up-to-date information. This is particularly important in rapidly developing areas of science and technology. In addition, articles in journals frequently discuss in-depth and highly specialized topics and it includes information that may never appear in book form. These attributes and others makes journal publications unique, distinct and special among other library collections.
For more details about this publication, visit: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1006/

Implementation of Koha Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS): The Babcock University Experience

Saturday U. Omeluzor, Olugbenga Adara, Madukoma Ezinwayi, Itunu A. Bamidele and

 Felicia Oby Umahi

Abstract

This paper appraised the implementation process of Koha Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS) at the Babcock University (B.U.) Library, Nigeria. The software installation, data entry and data migration were successfully done and usage of the software began instantly. This study adopted a survey design using questionnaire as the instrument for gathering of data. It enumerates the experiences of B.U. Library in the implementation of Koha ILS using a total of 17 librarians and 24 technical staff that were part of the implementation program to illicit information. It explains strategies towards efficient migration of data from X-Lib to Koha, and elements responsible for adequate utilization of ILS. Analysis of data was only on challenges to the implementation program and strategies for successful implementation of Koha. This research was a result of the experiences of B.U. Library documented to support libraries. The software continues to receive improvement and upgrade by the user community worldwide. However, this research only describes the progress made and challenges faced on the implementation from June 2010. This research established no major problem since the implementation of the software at Babcock University Library. Library staff and majority of the library users have commended the decision of the University Library for installing dynamic software like Koha. Finding on Table 1 revealed that erratic power supply and insufficient manpower were bane for the smooth running of the software. It was also established on table 2 that ILS be incorporated as a course to be taught in the department of Information Resources Management (IRM) of Babcock University in order to train people who will manage the software. Moreover, 100% of the respondents agreed that seminars and workshops be organized. In addition, an effective collaboration between the ICT unit and the University Library was also seen as an advantage. This work was based on facts and experiences gathered before and during the implementation period. It elaborates the basics and suggests steps toward successful implementation of ILS. It is intended to serve as stepping stone for libraries especially in Nigeria that are in dare need to implement automation software. Read more: http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/j.css.1923669720120804.1860

Training of Library Assistants in Academic Library: A Study of Babcock University Library, Nigeria

Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor,  Abayomi Imam and Hannah U. Amadi

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the need to train and retrain library assistants in academic libraries. The researchers however used Babcock University Library to ascertain the impacts of training of library assistants. A descriptive design was adopted for this study. A total enumeration sampling method was used. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The population was made up of 30 respondents who were library assistants at the Babcock University Library, Nigeria. A total number of 30 questionnaires were administered. All the questionnaires were retrieved and were found useful giving a return rate of 100% used for this study. The result shows that library assistants were not given training in the area of system management and web searching. In addition, 27 (90%) of the respondents agreed that training will enhance their job performance while 30 (100%) of the respondents agreed that training will improve their skills to support library users in searching for information electronically. Based on the findings the researchers recommend that library assistants should be trained on electronic information technology usage as this will impact the overall service delivery in meeting the goals of the academic library. Read more http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/spsgo/3/3/2158244013503964.full.pdf

Faculty members’ awareness and use of Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) services at Babcock University, Nigeria: A study

Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor, Glory Onoyeyan, Aluko-Arowolo Titilayo K.

Abstract

The study investigated the awareness and use of Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) by Faculty Members of Babcock University, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design.  Questionnaire was distributed to 240 (60%) faculty members at various schools in August 2013 during an annual colloquium workshop. One hundred and ninety-six (196) copies of the questionnaire was retrieved which was used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and frequency. It is clear that prior to the introduction and use of OPAC at Babcock University Library, traditional methods of information retrieval hold sway. Also, despite its acclaimed usefulness, most faculty members tend to prefer traditional methods to OPAC. Findings reveal that majority of the respondents (71.4%) were not aware that OPAC can be used to retrieve materials before coming to the library. Also, 65.8% of the respondents were not aware that they can access/browse Babcock University library web-based OPAC with their mobile phones before coming to the library to borrow materials; while, 59.2% of the respondents were not aware that the materials available at the Babcock University library can be accessed outside the library building. Only 26% of the respondents used OPAC independently to retrieve library information resources. Majority of the respondents retrieved library information resources by perusing through the shelves and/or seeking the assistance of a library staff. It was obvious from the findings that majority of the respondents were not aware hence the need for the study. Lack of orientation from the librarians also constitutes major factor that militate against awareness and use of OPAC. This study therefore recommends that Librarians should organize orientation and sensitization programmes in order to create awareness, and encourage the university community and especially faculty members at various schools to effectively use OPAC to ensure maximum utilization of library information resources.

http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/IKM/article/view/17208

LIBRARY IS THE HAVEN FOR LEARNING, TEACHING AND RESEARCH, DISCUSS.

This question is for students offering Use of Library and Study Skills, BSc/ICAN conversion at Babcock University, Nigeria.

WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF AN ACADEMIC LIBRARY TO A COMPUTER SCIENCE, ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY STUDENT?

WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF A LIBRARY TO A MEDICAL STUDENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF A LIBRARY TO A MEDICAL STUDENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

ADVOCATING FOR PROVISION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES TO PRISON INMATES

There is urgent need for information professionals to reach out to the prison inmates who are awaiting trials and perhaps have been convicted through the provision of information resources that will impact their lives while serving their terms.

What strategy should be taken to achieve this initiative?    Please post a comment!

SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS HOME AND ABROAD

This post is courtesy of

International Scholarships and Financial Aid Positions Website

Read more: Africa Scholarships : 2012 2013 College Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Postdoctoral, Graduate International Scholarships Fellowships

http://scholarship-positions.com

http://scholarship-positions.com/category/africa-scholarships/

Questia Free Books

Reading is very important, because it promote the reader's ability to expand his/her horizon. It also enhance the individual's knowledge in the interested area. Questia is an online library that makes her books accessible to majority of readers world wide. The link here was picked from Questia giving access to 15 free books on Politics http://www.questianewsletter.com/freebooks/default-global-politics.htm?utm_source=qta_readingroom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=feb2012newsletter
Credit to Questia Trusted Online Library.