Users’ Knowledge and Use of Library Services: A Case Study of Bowen University Library

Abstract

The need to understand users level of knowledge and use of various library services is very important; issues of library resources has been much researched compared to library services. The research employs descriptive survey research method and a self-developed questionnaire (UKAUS) was administered to 450 students of 200-500 level of Bowen University across three departments in different faculties. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis: mean, percentages, regression and spearman correlation. The findings showed that the students have a good knowledge of the library services and use of the services. Knowledge of library services mean value is greater than that of the use. The two hypotheses tested also shows significant relationship between knowledge and use of library services. It was recommended among other things that library should do more in area of creating/impacting knowledge of various library services and also to bridge the gap between the knowledge and the use.

References

1. Agboola, I. O., & Bamigboye, O. B. (2011). Students' level of study and user of library resources in Nigerian Universities: A comparative study. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved June 24, 2014 from http://Digitalcommons.Unl.Edu/Libphilprac/528/
2. Biradar, S. (2006). Use of information sources by users of public library: A survey. Indian Journal Information Library and Society, 19(3-4), 29-44.
3. Biradar, B. S., Kumar, P. D., & Mahesh, Y. (2009) Use of information sources and services in Library of Agricultural Science College, Shimoga: A case study. Annals of Library and information studies, 56, 63-68.
4. Bitagi, A. M., & Garba, S. K. (2014). Evaluative study of information resources and services utilization for research in academic libraries in Niger State, Nigeria. Impact: International Journal of Research in Business Management, 2(5), 121-128.
5. Bitagi, A. M., & Udoudoh, S. J. (2013). Library and information resources for effective scientific research in Nigerian Universities. In conference proceeding of the 1st International Conference of the School of Technology Education (STE), Federal University of Technology, Minna held in Minna between 6th-9th October: 171-175.
6. Ezeala, L. O., & Yusuff, E. O. (2011). Users satisfaction with library resources and services in Nigerian Agricultural Research Institutes. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved October 8, 2014 from https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/ezeala-yusuff.pdf
7. Feather, J., & Sturges, P. (1997). International encyclopedia of library and information science. London: Routledge, 453-457.
8. Jacobs, L. (2013). ICT library services in Nigerian Academic Institutions. Paper presented at workshop on ICT library services in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions By Regenesys Business School, Johannesburg 27th September.

9. Kadli, J., & Kumbar, B. D. (2011). faculty information seeking behaviour in changing ICT environment: A study of commerce college in Mumbai. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved March 5, 2014 from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/951/
10. Kahn, A., & Ahmed, S. (2013). The impact of digital library resources on scholarly communication: challenges and opportunities for university libraries in Pakistan. Library Hi Tech News, 30(8).
11. Khan, A., & Bhatti, R. (2012). Departmental libraries at the University of Peshwar: Current status, services, issues, challenges and prospects. Library philosophy and practice. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/860/
12. Khan, A., Bhatti, R. , Khan, G. & Ismail, M. (2014). The role of Academic Libraries in facilitating Undergraduate and Post-graduate Studies: A case study of the University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal Retrieved August 2, 2016 from http://www.iclc.us.cliej/c138KBKI.pdf
13. King, D. W., & Tenopir, C. (2013). Linking information seeking patterns with propose, use, value and return on investment of academic libraries. Electronic Journals of Librarianship, 8(2). Retrieved August 2, 2016 from http://www.uacberta.aca/home/king-tenopir.pdf
14. Lasode, A. O., Yusuf, F. A., & Koiki, A. B. (2015). Challenges facing undergraduates on the use of library services: A case study of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Journal of Agricultural Science and Environment, 15(1), 83-92.
15. Musa, A. B. (2016). Factors affecting the pattern of Information use by final year undergraduate students in Federal University Libraries of North Central Zone, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and practice. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1364/
16. Ogunmodede, T. A., Adio, G., & Odunola, O. A. (2011). Library use education as a correlate of use of library resources in a Nigerian University. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved June 20, 2015 from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/ogunmodede-adio-odunola.htm
17. Omehia, A. E., Obi, B. B., & Okon, H. I. (2008). Student characteristics and use of library services in the University of Uyo. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved July 28, 2014 from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/omehia-obiokon.htm
18. Omotunde, O., Maria, E., Aluko-Arowolo, T. K., & Ayoola, O. O. (2014). Utilization of library resources for effective research output among post graduate students in Adventist University of Africa. Global Advanced Research Journal of Social Science, 3(4), 52-57.
19. Onuoha, U. D. (2010) Faculty assessment of, and satisfaction with, library services in Babcock University, Nigeria. Contemporary humanities, 4 (1& 2), 287-29.
20. Popoola, S. O. (2008). The Use of information sources and services and its effect on the research output of social scientists in Nigerian Universities. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved June 14, 2014 from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/183/
21. Saikia, M., & Gohain, A. (2013). Use and user’s satisfaction on library resources and services in Tezpur University (India): A study. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(6), 167-175. Retrieved September 23, 2014 from http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1379698437_Saikia%20and%20Gohain.pdf
22. Shan, S., & Shaheen, M. A. (2013). Change management in the information age: approaches of academic library administrators in Pakistani Universities’ Libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1037/
23. Tommy, L. (2009). Nigerian University Libraries and the challenges of globalization. The Electronic Library, 28(2), 45-52.
24. Tyagi, S. (2011). Use of information resources and services at Delhi Public Library (DPL): A survey. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved August 30, 2014 from https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/tyagi2.pdf
25. Ugah, D. (2007). Evaluating the use of university libraries in Nigeria: A case study of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Retrieved May 13, 2014 http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/ugah2.htm
26. Whitmore, E. (2001). A longitudinal study of undergraduate academic library experiences. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 27(5), 279-385.