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This study examined the influence of information-seeking behavior on library services used by the disabled in Federal universities in South-west, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprises 302 disabled students in Federal universities in South-west, Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was tested for reliability, yielding Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.74 to 0.75. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that advisory, carrel and consultancy services were the most available services. The most used services were user education services and consultancy services. The respondents' information-seeking behavior mostly involves seeking information on health and retrieving information from the e-library. The study concluded that information-seeking behavior influenced the use of library services of disabled students. The study recommended that library management must provide more resources on healthrelated subjects, especially in electronic form. Finally, the management should improve their current awareness services tailored to the needs of disabled students and library staff should be trained on how to serve every library user irrespective of their challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated marketing of library services as a determinant for undergraduate's patronage in Oghara Polytechnic library in Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design using questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The population of the study consists of 31 library staff at the Oghara polytechnic library. A total of 31 questionnaires were distributed only 25 were retrieved. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above. The study revealed that the needs for marketing library and information services in Oghara polytechnic libraries is keeping the clients in touch, informed about resources and services that match their interests, aims at determining the needs and aims at determining the wants and demands of undergraduates. The study shows the current techniques employed in marketing library services as library website, orientation tours and workshops, blogs and podcast, and posters. The study affirmed the extent of undergraduate's patronage as once in week, twice a week and during exams. The study recommended that the library management should utilize social media to market their information resource and services to increase undergraduate's patronage, the library staff should improve their relationships with their users so as to portray a good image of the library to their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated user satisfaction as a predictor to library patronage among undergraduate students in Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The instrument used was a self-developed questionnaire by the researchers. The questionnaire validation was subjected to the scrutiny of the experts in the areas of the variables studied; it gave a reliability coefficient of 0.855 (85.5%) for library patronage and 0.837 (83.7%) for user satisfaction. A response rate of 100% was achieved. Data were analyzed using descriptive (percentage, mean, average mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) statistics. The study revealed a significant relationship between library patronage and user satisfaction (r = 0.000c, N = 100, P < 0.05) among undergraduate students in Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The study concluded that adequate customer care services from the library staff would increase undergraduate students' library patronage. It is recommended that university management in conjunction with the university library management should ensure adequate provision of relevant and current information resources for the students use in the library. Also, the library management should endeavor to proffer solution(s) to most of the issues that militated the effective usage of the university library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated user perceptions and challenges associated with accessing and utilizing electronic resources at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), including their implications for remote users. Using a quantitative research approach and survey methodology, the study involved 1,680 participants: 1,513 students, 140 academic staff, and 27 academic librarians. Employing a combination of probability (stratified random and systematic) and nonprobability (purposive) sampling ensured comprehensive representation. Participants completed self-administered closed-ended questionnaires distributed through online platforms, primarily Google Forms. Data collected underwent thorough analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings indicated that the NOUN library offers access to electronic resources such as journals and books. However, the overall perception of these resources by NOUN library users was below average. Both the library and users faced challenges like electricity outages and sluggish internet connectivity speed while accessing or utilizing electronic resources. Recommendations highlight the importance of library management creating awareness programs using modern communication tools. Furthermore, integrating electronic resource usage into the university's curriculum is suggested. This research explored user perceptions and challenges related to electronic resource access and usage at the National Open University of Nigeria. Through a quantitative approach, the study provided insights into current electronic resource utilization, pinpointing areas for improvement, particularly in terms of awareness and curriculum integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic nature of the library users of today and changing research environment require the library to improve its resources and services for its users' community. This study investigated the use of library resources and services by Postgraduate (PG) students in a specialized university - Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE) in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a total population of 438 registered PG students of 2020/2022 academic session comprising PGD, Masters and PhD. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The study revealed that majority of PG students visited the library most on monthly and quarterly basis while less percentage visited weekly and daily. The findings also showed that the attraction of the PG students to the library were to: study for examination, consult librarians, follow up lectures, read books, read newspapers/magazine, access offline e-resources and databases among others. The resources used most by the PG students were offline e-journal, e-books, textbooks, reference materials, theses/dissertations and periodicals. Furthermore, there was evidence in the findings that services used most were circulation service, reference service, reprographic service and Internet service among others. Some of the problems hindering their use of the library were: lack of orientation, inadequate awareness, inadequate ICT training, lack of literacy skill and poor internet connectivity. The study concluded that library management in FUPRE and other universities around the world should endeavour to identify all the factors affecting the effective use of the library by the PG students to enable thems have a rewarding research experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined information resources and security challenges at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey design was used by the researcher. The population of the study comprised 53 library staff, and the purposive sampling techniques were used to determine the sample size which is 30. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection and was validated by the supervisor. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability of the instrument which yielded 0.85. Data were analysed with frequency count, and simple percentages, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 was used to generate the mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that textbooks, serials, and reference materials were the most vulnerable information resources to security challenges and that book theft, non-return of library materials, tearing of book pages, book pages stained, torn, and stolen among others were some of the common security violations. The findings also established that lack of photocopying machines, financial constraints of libraries, and lack of adequate punishment to serve as deterrent among others were the causes of security challenges and that CCTV, library written security policy to guide staff and users, monitoring of users by library staff while using library resources, introduction of photocopying services in the library, staff security within and outside the library and security guards deployment to patrol the library reading room were some of strategies put in place to curb security challenges in the NDU library. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the library management should continue to ensure that the library information resources are properly secured and that the library should enlighten library users on the need to observe the library rules and regulations and on the preservation and conservation of library resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the awareness and perception of the relevance of blockchain technology in the management of libraries and archives in the fourth industrial revolution in a developing country, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: Ten system librarians selected from five different libraries and ten archivists selected from five different archives in the Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria represent the sample for the study. The study adopted a purely qualitative approach where data was collected through an open-ended questionnaire mailed to the participants to guide against physical contact and maintained social distancing to observe COVID-19 protocol. Findings: The results reveal that both the librarians and archivists are aware of blockchain technology, its adoption and use in libraries and archives. There is a positive perception about blockchain technology believing that it can assist libraries and archives in storing information in a distributed settings through gathering, preserving and sharing authoritative information, and supports archivists in creating a unique verifiable record that can be accessed by anyone in archives. Implementation, maintenance cost and difficulty in sustainability are identified as the challenges of blockchain adoption. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to one geopolitical zone of Nigeria which necessitates the need for further research on the similar subject matter in other geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Practical implications: The findings of the study have identified the need for librarians and archivists to increase their awareness and develop a positive perception toward blockchain technologies. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to research the relevance of blockchain technology in Nigerian libraries and archives. This paper reported the benefits libraries and archives could derive from the adoption of blockchain, and how such can improve effective services delivery to the satisfaction of the users of archives and libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University libraries are expected to provide information resources and services to support the teaching and learning process of their institutions. For university libraries to deliver quality services, they are expected to continuously adapt to the changing institutional and global environments and requirements in use of current technologies to manage most or all library activities, particularly use of Integrated Library Systems (ILS). Furthermore, in the university libraries where ILS have been deployed, there is a need to carry out periodic evaluations of the systems. Hence, this study evaluated the adoption and use of integrated library software (ILS) in some selected private university libraries in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive and correlational survey research design was adopted. The population comprised undergraduates and library staff of Adeleke University, Fountain University and Redeemers University. Slovin's formula was used to arrive at 384 as the target sample size of the undergraduates, while total enumeration was used for the sample size of the library staff since the population was small. Questionnaires were used for data collection. The data collected from the field were coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings revealed that majorities of the surveyed students were satisfied with the services provided through the ILS, except at the Adeleke University. Similarly, most of the students found the ILS easy to use and useful, the students except for the students of Adeleke University who were indifferent about the services, due to the fact that they were not using the services provided by ILS. This finding confirms that when selecting or upgrading software in libraries, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use should be main considerations. Finally, the study identified erratic power supply, lack of enough user education on the use of ILS services, internet network issues, lack of technical know-how, lack of technical facilities, and lack of training and re-training of staff as the major challenges faced by students and staff when using the ILS. It was recommended that the management of Adeleke university library should improve on creating awareness among the library users for them to understand the importance of using the deployed ILS services. It was recommended that system deployment experts should be always consulted in order to configure deployed ILS modules to be user friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impacts of user education on users' awareness, accessibility and use of information resources and services in Federal Polytechnic Ede Library. The study employed a survey research design. The population of this study consisted of all registered student users of the library totaling 6,000; 10% of the entire population amounting 600 was used for the study. The random sampling technique was adopted. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Out of the 600 copies of questionnaire distributed, 517 (86.2%) were retrieved and found valid for analysis. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study show that, user education programmes of the library do not have any significant impact on the users' awareness, accessibility and utilization of the collections and services in the library due to several challenges among which are; over dependence on one day orientation and lack of examinable library instruction. It was therefore recommended among others, that the Polytechnic Library Management should liaise with the Management of the Institution to ensure immediate commencement of "use of library" as a compulsory, credit-bearing and examinable course for all new students of the institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like many countries, Nigeria's university libraries services are affected by the integrated software used for service delivery. This study (conducted in 2021) examined the priorities and barriers for users perception of the use of integrated library software for service delivery in federal university libraries in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and the type of integrated software used by the Federal university libraries in Niger Delta, Nigeria, including what type of services rendered with the use of integrated library software to users, ease of use of integrated library software and benefit derived from the use and factors affecting the use were evaluated. A structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection and was distributed to the respondents face to face at their various offices across all the university libraries in Niger Delta, Nigeria. The populace of the study was sampled using the total enumeration sampling technique because of the smaller and manageable size of the population. There are 489 responses (83% response rate) from six federal universities in the Niger Delta. The findings reveal that the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom has the highest rate of respondents -90(18.40%) followed by Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State -88(17.99%). It could deduce that the Federal Universities in Niger Delta are dominated by male in Nigeria, from 24-26 years are doiminated in the university system, students in 500 and 600 levels are majority of the respondents that participated in this exercise, Koha integrated software (402) had the highest response rate, majority of the respondents agreed that they used ILS to render the following services; user registration, changing and dischanging of library materials, referral service, e-reference service, internet service, electronic library service, OPAC and book reservation, majority of the respondents agreed that ILS is easier for user interface, accessing personal account is easy and straightforward, users can independently interact well with ILS and its OPAC user interface, users can easily search on their own, users can query the ILS using the keyboard, users can recover lost of information during query, users can retrieve information from the ILS without the help of a librarian and users can retrieve documents from ILS when needed, majority of the respondents agreed that ILS allow users to access to the books and other materials in the library, allows for round the clock library services, helps to know a documents reservation status, bring the library closer to the users, help to know easily the total number of books held in a library, know a document return date or date of availability in the library, allows for easy borrowing of library materials, auto-renewal of borrowed book is easy and fast, helps to know the position of a particular title held by the library, helps to know the position of a particular materials on the shelf and Helps to ascertain if a book is present in the library or not and the majority of the respondents testify that bottle necks on the use of ILS are as follows, lack of awareness, poor Internet connectivity/low bandwidth, lack of information searching skills, lack of proper guidance from librarians, lack of funds to support automation project by library management, shortage of computer systems designated for library OPAC, lack of required ICT skills, complex OPAC interface design, erractic electricity power supply/high cost of running electricity generating sets and lack of user training on how to use the library software. The respondents were concerned about the service delivery in the library. It is expected that librarians should ensure that users get their information needs on time and in the right format and that the best integrated library software should be installed and used in library services. Keywords: Integrated library software, users perception, service delivery, Federal University Libraries, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Introduction Almost all libraries in this 21st Century have a collection of both print as well as electronic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the student's patronage and utilization of library and information resources in Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Four research questions were considered to gather data. The sampled for the study comprised about 367 library patrons (Students). Purpose sampling the population of the study is techniques was adopted. The findings revealed that Afe Babalola University Library have enough materials which can help their patrons to achieve their aim such materials includes: abstract, dictionaries, directories, handbook, journals, projects, textbooks, report etc. Moreover, result showed that respondents visited library regularly but they visited library mostly to read for examination, research, getting assignment done and for personal development. The findings further reveal that library users visited library based on their interest for textbooks, past question and internet. Finally, the findings reveals that no challenges such as power shortage, personal assistant, up to date materials, in-conducive environment, internet, sitting arrangement and organization of library materials. The study recommended the university teachers should engaged the student with assignment that will make them use library more and familiar with other information resources, the librarian should introduce the students to the library through the orientation, library should organized library week once in a while and take a tour to another library, invite interested student to write in school library journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the availability and utilization of digital reference sources and services in academic libraries in South-South Nigeria. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The population of the study is 102 librarians. The entire102 librarians were used as the sample size for the study. The instruments for data collection were a Check List and a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used to check the availability of digital reference sources and ICT facilities that supports digital reference services, while the 102 questionnaire were filled and returned to the researcher. Data collected from the study was analyzed using Percentage. The results of the study revealed that types of digital reference sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedia, and directories among others are averagely available in most of the academic libraries in south-south Nigeria. The study also revealed that asynchronous and synchronous transactions and online bibliographic reference services are often offered in academic libraries. More so, digital reference services such as searching online databases, identifying, and locating materials are often used by users in academic libraries. The study recommended that government and the university management should ensure that there is adequate fund allocation to university libraries; and university library management should provide a functional library website to make digital reference sources and services easier for librarians and library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social media have significantly changed almost every part of our being. They have changed the shape and nature of communication. Before the emergence of social media platforms, communication was mainly face-to-face as distance was an essential barrier in communication engagement, but that has changed with the emergence of social media platforms. In addition, library services are also experiencing serious changes as a result of the emergence of social media platforms. This is because services that were once rendered in library halls can now be rendered outside of library building. Library users also have new expectations from library managements. They desire to have services rendered to them in a simple and technologicalbased manner than before. These changes have made researchers interested in examining issues related to changes that have taken place in library management in the social media era. This study examined the use of mediated platforms for creating awareness regarding the services in libraries in Nigeria. The study was guided by five objectives. Descriptive survey was used as the design of the study. Both librarians (n=300) and library users (n=300) were sampled for the study. The questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive analysis like simple percentages, mean and standard deviation were used for the study. It was found that there is low extent of application of social media for the purposes of increasing public awareness of services in libraries. Also, seven objectives of applying social media to enhance awareness of services in libraries were found. Seven strategies for using social media to promote library services were also reported. Six obstacles to the use of social media to promote library services were also reported. They are: lack of skilful manpower; inadequate finance; lack of interest on the part of library management; lack of appropriate and up to date tool; inadequate staff members and lack of a conducive working environment. The perceived influence of exposure to social media messages promoting library services were also reported. The results of this study have implications on library practice and scholarship. Regarding library practice, the results suggests that to effectively promote library services with a corresponding possibility for increased patronage, there is the need for management of libraries to address serious issues of inadequate manpower, lack of facilities and poor funding. When this is done, it is hoped that social media could be fully applied for the purposes of promoting library services in Nigeria. In terms of scholarship, the results of the study has added to the body of literature regarding the important role that social media platforms are now playing in different spheres of the society. In particular, the results has added to studies on the role of social media in library services. It is therefore, recommended that library management should put in place programs and policies that support the use of social media to promote library services. Based on the results of the study, the researchers recommends, among others, the utilization of social media to promote library services. Other recommendations are also made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated availability, accessibility and use of electronic information resources for research by students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The study looked at the types of electronic information resources available for research by students, extent of availability, accessibility and utilization of the available electronic information resources for research as well as problems encountered by students while accessing and utilizing the available electronic information resources for research by students. Five (5) objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a survey research design, the population of the study was 7952 registered users (students) of the library. The sample for the study was 381 students registered users of the library who were sampled using simple random sampling technique. Two instruments were used for data collection titled "Checklist on Availability of Electronic Information Resources for Research by Students (CAEIRRS)" and "Accessibility and Utilization of Electronic Information Resources for Research by Students Questionnaire (QUEIRRSQ)" which was validated by two experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was established using Cronbach Alpha method and a reliability coefficient of 0.765 was obtained. Data was collected and analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentages and means to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that, e-journals, e-newspapers, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), CD-Rom database, e-magazines, e-books, online database, e-research reports, virtual library online, science direct online and Ebscohost reference databases were the types of electronic information resources available for research by students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library. Findings also revealed that, electronic information resources mentioned above were available for research by students to a great extent. Also, it is revealed from the findings that, the extent of accessibility and utilization of the availability electronic information resources for research by students is great. Findings further revealed that, inadequate computers in the library, poor internet connectivity limited subscribed titles, power outages, difficulty to access and use, lack of relevant e-resources in various disciplines as well as no assistance from the library, were the problems encountered by students while accessing and using electronic information resources for research in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi. It was recommended that the University administrators and library management should improve on the bandwidth and enhance the internet connectivity so as to enable the students have easy access to online eresources. Also, trained personnel should be on ground to assist the students in the use of the available e-resources in the University library and appropriate user education should be organized for students for better use of e-resources in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library, university of Agriculture, Makurdi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was intended to investigate law reports exploitation in a faculty of law library, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted in carrying out the study. In order to achieve the stated objective, research questions and hypothesis were developed to guide the study. A total of one hundred and eighteen (118) copies of the structured questionnaire were distributed among the law students, one hundred and four(104) were properly filled and retrieved making up an 88.1% respondence rate. Data was analyzed using frequency tables, simple percentages and chi-square. The study revealed that the likely factors that are accountable for the insufficiency of law reports in law library are insufficient fund to be able to acquire law reports, stealing and mutilation of the reports by the users, number of students exceeds the available copies of the law reports, the absence of judgement of counts online has made it practically difficult for many students to have access to judgements. Based on the research findings, it is therefore recommended that law library should be adequately funded to be able to acquire sufficient copies of weekly and monthly law reports needed in the library for the users. The law library management should try to increase the number of copies of law reports that are being subscribed to, as it will help to reduce theft and mutilations of the law reports. Also judgements of the courts in Nigeria should be digitalized so that they can be accessed online, since no law library can afford to satisfy her patrons no matter how rich the law library can be, there is the need for law libraries to form consortium to assist one another, finally subscription to weekly and monthly law reports should be acquired as when due to avoid acquiring them as back issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on quality of library services providing to library patrons. Topics include effective teaching and learning requiring the support of librarians and well-stocked libraries; showing correlations between library staffing and reading performance in both grades as well as a decline in enjoyment of reading correlating with a decline in staffing of libraries.

The article presents the discussion on librarians promoting the use of the library through other means such as marketing of library services to the users. Topics include visiting private information providers, cybercafé, and no longer solely relying on the library; and library services such as decline in library budget, change in user's mode of satisfaction, rising cost of books, and serials and electronic resources.

An automated library environment is quite different from that of a library whose operations and services are still done manually. The paper shares Bowen University Library, Iwo, Nigeria automation experiences using Open Source Library Management Software, Koha. The paper explains the automation process such as choice of software, installation and configuration, training of staff and users, retrospective conversion, challenges and experience after automation. The paper carries out survey of library user satisfaction with the system. The result shows that users prefer the automated system to manual system. It also explains how automation has enhanced operations and provision of information services. The paper among others encourages libraries to consider the use of an open source software for their automation project, advises that they should be open to changes that ICT introduces to library profession, and settle the issue of regular power supply with management before embarking on automation project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine levels of environmental noise and identify noise sources that inconvenience library users in the University of Calabar Library. Data were collected using a Sound Level Meter to take acoustical measurements at over 100 points in and around the library, whilst a survey questionnaire was used to elicit information from users of the library. The survey sample consisted of 980 library users drawn from all the reading rooms in the university library. The study found that levels of noise in the university library were high [43.5 - 88.5 dB(A)] and exceeded the acceptable level of noise set by World Health Organization (WHO). The major sources of noise in decreasing order were noise from people, automobiles, aircrafts, cellular phones and equipment. The implication of this finding is that noise poses a serious threat and distraction to library users, as they cannot concentrate during reading and study activities in the library. Another implication of the finding is that the management of the university library appears not to be managing the problem of noise effectively. The study proffers several recommendations which, if implemented, would reduce significantly noise levels in the library considerably and make them conform to World Health Organisation [WHO] standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]