Use Of E-Library Resources By Student Of Imo State University Owerri

ABSTRACT

This study examined the Use of E- Library resources by students in Imo State University, Owerri. Technology Acceptance Model (ATM) theory was used as the theoretical background. Other related literatures were reviewed. The research design for this study is descriptive survey. The area of study is Imo state Public library board. The population of the study comprises of seven thousand nine hundred and fifty six (7956) registered usres of students in Imo State University with sample size of three hundred and eighty (380).  Checklist and questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection for the study. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, simple percentages, and mean scores was used as the major descriptive statistics for data analysis. the findings of the study are:  that, e-journals, e-newspapers, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), CD-ROM databases, e-books, online databases, e-research reports, virtual library, science direct online, as well as Ebscohost reference databases are not available in IMSU.  e-resources such as OPAC, e-journals, full text databases, CD-ROM databases frequency of use is to a very large extent for students to access in conducting research and other scholarly works, that electronic resources were available in some academic libraries and students utilize them for research and other academic purpose, inconsistent internet connectivity, slow network, lack of computer skills, power outages and irrelevant electronic information resources were the problems students’encountered while accessing and using electronic resources in University Libraries.  Supply, Adequate finance for subscription and Provision of e-resources in various discipline. The study recommended that, The University Management should provide adequate funds for subscription to electronic journals. Appropriate databases related to faculty and students fields of study should be subscribed to address the limited subscribed titles, Appropriate user education should be organized for students for better use of electronic information resources in the library. Inverter and battery system should be installed in the electronic library to ensure regular power supply, Users (students) should be made to understand that even if they cannot use a computer system, staff would assist them to meet their information needs.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter is the overview of this study. It is presented under the following subheading: background to the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study and research question.

Background of the Study

Electronic resources are materials in digital format that can be accessed using electronic and computer networks. Resources such as OPAC, CD-ROM, Online databases, e-journals, e-books, digital repositories, and internet resources are some of the electronic resources available in libraries. The advent of ICT has greatly impacted how institutions of higher learning carry out their day to day functions; however, the role of librarians has remained the same: to collect, organize, access, and preserve information for the end-user. According to Kiambati, (2015), everything is having an “electronic” prefix in the modern world; the way information is accessed has changed due to advanced computer technology and high-speed internet connectivity. Omeluzor et al., (2016) established that the 21st century has brought benefits as well as challenges for information centres due to the emphasis laid on ICT infrastructural development, hence paving the way to use internet services, library automation systems, and electronic information and services  In the contemporary world, academic libraries are not considered modern by many users if not automated and offering basic electronic resources like OPAC and internet services to their clientele. There is a growing demand for the use of electronic resources in many academic libraries due to the dynamic nature of interoperability and flexibility compared to print resources. This explains why there is an increase in the subscription to electronic resources and a reduction in print resources. E-resources are gradually complementing the existing library resources, hence reducing pressure on print materials. This has led to the global dissemination of e-resources using electronic mail and social media platforms by sundry libraries.

The establishment of electronic resource centres is of great help to educationists in accessing new research developments as soon as they are made available to improve teaching, learning to prepare learners to face contemporary challenges that would enable them to obtain solutions to global problems. It is becoming increasingly convenient to search for a piece of electronic information from any point and at any time compared to conventional sources due to its accessibility. This development has shown many information centres offering” just in time” access to electronic resources should the user need them, while; other centres provide remote access to information resources from anywhere, anytime (Aniedu & Uzuegbu, 2014). Academic libraries necessitate sound ICT support by integrating their content with communication technologies from traditional print to e-resources because an enormous percentage of the library budget is spent on subscription. Okite-Amughoro et al., (2015) indicate that academic libraries have reached an era of replacing printed research materials with electronic materials that are widely accessible via the World Wide Web technology ((www). This development considerably facilitates internet connectivity in many parts of the world for quick access and utilization.

In most learning institutions, e-resources have become powerful teaching and learning tool for lecturers and students as the internet becomes a gateway to global information accessibility allowing users to access huge amounts of information. It also enables lecturers to virtual link with their students to access information from anywhere, anytime. Most academic libraries are gradually embracing library remote access platform to provide resources and services to off- campus users. Nevertheless, inadequate access to information can greatly impact the performance of students undertaking various courses in learning institutions. Most undergraduate students depend on online resources for assignments and research, therefore, non-subscription to vital electronic databases negatively impacts their performance.

Every fiscal year, academic libraries set aside a significant amount of money to subscribe to various online resources to satisfy the needs of their users (Maina et al., 2017). Study findings have shown that despite the heavy investments in online database subscriptions, some resources are extensively underutilized (Uzuegbu et al., 2012). This is largely attributed to lack of awareness, poor searching skills, unreliable internet connectivity, among others. Dolo-Ndlwana, (2013) did a study on use of e-resources among undergraduate and established that students and faculty staff used and valued electronic resources and its usage was common among undergraduate students. Majority of them were aware of these resources and valued their availability. They were mainly used to obtain answers to specific questions as well as to gain general information in their areas of study. However, it was noted that the main reason was for academic purposes. The study reported that most users encountered problems of infrastructure as well as personal basis. Yebowaah, (2017) on his study showed that, 65% of users were aware of e-resources mainly from friends, memos, workshops and library websites. A total of 67.5% did not use e-resources despite being aware of its existence. In Uganda, a study was done on e- resource utilization by students in Mbarara University library and suggested for a need to increase the level of usage. Hence training on the use of electronic resources to all users becomes expedient (Gakibayo et al., 2013). Ankrah & Atuase, (2018) conducted a study on the use of e-resources by undergraduate students on the University Of Cape Coast and established that training is very necessary because it provides adequate skills on the use of computers since that is the major means of accessing e-resources. They however reported that, e-resources were not fully utilized due to low publicity, inadequate training, restriction of access and poor internet connections.

Most importantly, ICT significantly changes the way learning is conducted with the increase of information and communication technologies for instructional design, delivery and technology supported learning (Barclay 2021). With the development of information technology, electronic resources are now available for use in libraries. New trends in the computer technology are allowing libraries to do things with more efficient and effective tools.

          Statement of the Problem

The migration of knowledge management from purely print materials to hybrid and electronic resource prompted the University Library to think in the lines of adopting technology not only to supplement the already stretched print resources but also to offer more up to date alternative. However despite the massive investment on the electronic resources, it has been realized that the resources utilization levels are low. It is with the above scenario in mind that this work was conducted so as to assess the use of electronic Library resources by undergraduate students of the Imo State University, Owerri.

Scope of the Study

The study is aimed at finding out the Use of E- Library resources by students of Imo State University. The study will cover Imo State University, Owerri.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to find out the Use of E- Library resources by students in Imo State University, Owerri.

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Ascertain the types of electronic library resources are available to undergraduates of Imo State University.
2. Determine the possible reasons for students use of electronic library resources.
3. Establish the frequency of use of the preferred electronic library resources by the students.
   4. Determine how are the electronic library resources are accessed by the undergraduates of Imo State University.
   5. Identify the problems associated with the use of electronic library resources for learning and research.
   6. Identify the strategies for improving the academic use of electronic library resources by the students in the university.

         Significance of the Study

It is hoped that information derived from this study will benefit both the university administrators, students and university libraries at large. This will make a vital contribution to the already existing knowledge and understanding of electronic information resources and their effects on university.

It is expected that the result will be useful to the university administrators in planning for the future thereby providing access to internet and laboratories for students to learn more.

By finding out on use of E library resources by students, it will enable the university libraries as an information service provider and their parent institutions to structure library services in such a way that they focus not only on collections, but also on the needs of the students, to develop facilities that recognize, embrace and encourage the collaborative, faster and social nature of learning, then seek for ways towards enhancing their services to the users, thereby making library become more effective in provision of their roles especially in this era where digital and electronic libraries complement and in some cases replace traditional libraries.

On the other hand, undergraduate students will benefit from the study because when computer laboratories are built and more computers are provided by the university administrators it will create avenues for students to have access to internet quickly and gain more information at reduced expense which in turn improve their knowledge and good planning.

          Research Question

This research was conducted to find answers to the following research questions:

1. What are the types of electronic library resources available to undergraduates students of Imo State University?

2. What are possible reasons for students use of electronic library resources to undergraduates students of Imo State University?
3. What is the frequency of use of the preferred electronic library resources by the undergraduate students of Imo State University?
4. How are the electronic library resources are accessed by the undergraduates students of Imo State University?
5. What are the problems associated with the academic use of electronic library resources by the undergraduate students of Imo State University?
6. What are the strategies for improving the academic use of electronic library resources by the students in the university?
   

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   Pages:  90

   Category: Project

   Format:  Word & PDF               

   Chapters: 1-5                                          

   Source: Imsuinfo

   Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.