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The purpose of this study was to investigate barriers faced by Pakistani university libraries to implement digital preservation programs. A questionnaire was developed and pilot tested before being sent to 70 libraries of the public sector universities and degree awarding institutions to measure the phenomena. Out of the targeted 70 libraries, 63 responded to the survey (90 % response rate). The results highlighted that a lack of institutional/national policies, financial and technological resources, and administrative support are key barriers that hinder the implementation of digital preservation practices in Pakistani university libraries. The findings of this novel study emphasize devising a national policy for digital preservation in Pakistan. Results point out key barriers to digital preservation and help designing knowledge-based systems in order to meet information and knowledge needs of library users around the clock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted the descriptive research design of the correlational type because it is used to show the relationship between two variables and also to obtain current information on the phenomena. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the information regarding the types of social media networking tools, frequency of use of electronic information resources, electronic resources available, the influence of social media networking tools and challenges of social media networking tools while using electronic information resources in academic libraries. The population of this study consisted of One hundred and three (103) library users in two universities in South-west, Nigeria which is the University of Ibadan (63 library users) being a Federal University; and Lead City University (40 library users) being a Private University. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed to collect the data. One hundred and three (103) responded, representing 68.7% of the sample size. Questionnaires were distributed randomly to the users at the main libraries and departmental libraries of the two universities. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical technique made up of table, charts and percentages. The study found out that social networking tool such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were available for the use of students in both Universities. The result showed that the use of electronic information resources is still very low in the Universities studied. This is due to lack of adequate knowledge about electronic information resources and relationship with social media networking tools, slow internet speed, inadequate provision of key electronic information resources and facilities in the library amongst others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 eresources 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 eresources 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polytechnic libraries play pivotal roles in the sustenance and advancement of the academic activities of their parent institutions. They bridge the gap between the vast information resources available in different disciplines and polytechnics through their services. This article evaluates the use of polytechnic libraries in Nigeria focusing on the Federal Polytechnic Offa library, Kwara State, Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 250 respondents from 1000 registered library users; while 230 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved representing a response rate of 92%. The analysis of data was based on frequency counts, percentages, mean score and confidence interval. Findings revealed that textbooks, journals, reference materials and newspaper/magazines are the mostly utilised information resources in the library and are consulted frequently. Most respondents used the library to prepare for examinations while Internet services and photocopy services are the mostly utilised library services. Factors like insufficient information resources, inadequate awareness of the available information resources and inability of users to utilize the electronic information resources on their own hinder the effective usage of the library information resources. Recommendations were made to improve the use of polytechnic libraries in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current economic climate is placing pressure on UK Universities to maximise use of their resources and ensure value for money. In parallel, there is a continuing focus on the student experience and a desire that all students should achieve their full potential whilst studying at University. Internal investigation at the University of Huddersfield suggests a strong correlation between library usage and degree results, and also significant under-usage of expensive library resources at both school and course level. Data from over 700 courses using three indicators of library usage; access to e-resources; book loans and access to the library were matched against the student record system and anonymised. Initial findings highlighted that the correlation between library usage and grade had not yet been significance tested. In January 2011, the University of Huddersfield, together with partners at the Universities of Bradford; De Montfort; Exeter; Lincoln; Liverpool John Moores; Salford and Teesside were awarded JISC funding to prove the hypothesis that there is a statistically significant correlation across a number of universities between library activity data and student attainment. Academic librarians at Huddersfield are also working closely with tutors on a selected sample of courses to explore the reasons for unexpectedly low use of library resources. By identifying subject areas or courses which exhibit low usage of library resources, service improvements can be targeted such as: • course profiling, to determine the particular attributes of each course and its students, which may affect library use • targeted promotion of resources at the point of need raising tutor awareness of resources, particularly e-resources and current awareness services • review of the induction process • target information resources allocation, to ensure value for money • target staffing resources, to ensure that support for students is available at key times of the year. This paper will report on the initial findings of the project and whether the measurable targets have been achieved: • Sufficient data are successfully captured from all partners • Statistical significance is proved for all data • The hypothesis is either wholly or partly proved for each data type and partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]