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Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates

Received: 21 May 2022     Accepted: 6 June 2022     Published: 29 May 2023
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Abstract

The reference section of every library remains an important arm of such library. It contains materials needed for teaching, learning, community development and research. However, studies have shown that most of these materials are rarely consulted by library users, hence, the rationale of the present study which investigated the extent to which reference materials are accessed and utilized by the undergraduates of library and information science (LIS), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo. Six research objectives with corresponding research questions were considered and answered. The descriptive survey method was adopted using a total population of 133 final year undergraduates of LIS, TSU, Jalingo. Furthermore, the complete census technique was employed to study the entire population. A fifty-eight (58) items questionnaire was used for data collection. 133 copies were distributed, but 127 (95.5%) copies were returned and found suitable for data analysis. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of mean scores and frequency counts. Findings revealed a high extent of accessibility of a good number of reference materials. Few of these materials were reported to be utilized to a high extent leading to a relationship between the extent of accessibility and utilization. However, numerous challenges were identified to be facing the accessibility and utilization of reference materials by the undergraduates. The study concludes that the extent of accessibility determines the extent of utilization which all proved to be high in the library studied. It was, however, among other things, recommended that the management of university libraries should intensify efforts to improve the number and quality of reference materials provided and make them accessible to their users.

Published in American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12
Page(s) 12-20
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Libraries, Accessibility, Utilization, Reference Materials, Undergraduates, Extent

References
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[2] Ademodi, D. T. (2015). Empirical study of awareness and use of reference sources by undergraduates in Adekunle Ajasin University Library. Information and Knowledge Management, 5 (8), 10-20.
[3] Ajani, F. O., Buraimo, O., Adegbaye, S. I. & Olusanya, O. F. (2021) Awareness and utilisation of reference materials and services among undergraduates in four public universities in South- west, Nigeria. MBJLIS – Middlebelt Journal of Library and Information Science, 19, 111- 126.
[4] Hassan, A., Albaba, A. T. & Ahmad, R. (2021). Availability and extent of utilization of reference sources and services by academic staff of federal universities in North East, Nigeria. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 2 (3), 230- 233.
[5] Hornby, A. S. (2015). Oxford advanced learners’ dictionary of current English (8th ed.). Oxford: University Press.
[6] Igwe, U. O. (2004). The library and information collection. In: E. Adegbija (Ed.), Language, communication and study skills. Ota, Nigeria: Covenant University Press.
[7] Iroaganachi, M. A. & Ilogho, J. E. (2011). Utilization of reference books by students: A case study of Covenant University, Nigeria. Chinese Librarianship: An International Electronic Journal, 34. Retrieved from: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl34II.pdf.
[8] Ishola, B. C. & Obadere, S. O. (2014). Availability, access to and level of use of academic library information resources; study of selected academic libraries in South-Western Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 5 (28), 20-33.
[9] Ishola, B. C. (2014). Funding problems in Nigerian university libraries: Fee-based library and information services to the rescue, focus on pricing policy. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). Paper 1176. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1176
[10] Lawal-Solarin, E. O. (2012). A survey of library and information services to physically- challenged students in academic libraries in Ogun state, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal). Retrieved from http://unillib.unl.edu/LPP/.
[11] Makinde, O. T., Aba, J. & Ugah, A. D. (2017), Accessibility and utilization of reference resources by fisheries undergraduate students university libraries in North- Central, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 10 (3), 48-55.
[12] Ngalla, R. M. (2007). Management problems of university libraries in Cameroon. (Unpublished PhD Theses). Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka).
[13] Nnadozie, C. O. (2007). Foundations of library practice. Owerri: Springfield Publishers.
[14] Nwachukwu, V. N., Abdusami, L. T, & Salami, P. F. (2014). Availability, accessibility and use of information resources and services among information seekers of Lafia Public Library in Nasarawa State. Information and Knowledge Management, 4 (10), 1-11.
[15] Okafor, V. N (2019). Management and utilization of serials in federal university libraries in Southeast, Nigeria. (Unpublished PhD thesis). Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
[16] Okeke, I. E., Oghenetga, L. U., & Nwabu, C. E. (2013). Students’ attitude towards the use of reference and information services (RIS) in academic libraries in Nigeria. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 5 (10), 335-341.
[17] Okorafor, K., Ariole, I. & Anyalebechi, L. (2017) Awareness and use of reference and information services amongst library users in university libraries in two States in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 10 (3), 108-116.
[18] Onifade, F. N., & Sowole, A. O. (2011). Awareness and perception of reference services by undergraduates: A case study of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Gateway Library Journal, 14 (1), 54-65.
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  • APA Style

    Juliet Onuoha, Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. (2023). Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates. American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems, 8(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12

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    ACS Style

    Juliet Onuoha; Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates. Am. J. Oper. Manag. Inf. Syst. 2023, 8(1), 12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12

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    AMA Style

    Juliet Onuoha, Chukwuemeka Chukwueke. Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates. Am J Oper Manag Inf Syst. 2023;8(1):12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12,
      author = {Juliet Onuoha and Chukwuemeka Chukwueke},
      title = {Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates},
      journal = {American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems},
      volume = {8},
      number = {1},
      pages = {12-20},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajomis.20230801.12},
      abstract = {The reference section of every library remains an important arm of such library. It contains materials needed for teaching, learning, community development and research. However, studies have shown that most of these materials are rarely consulted by library users, hence, the rationale of the present study which investigated the extent to which reference materials are accessed and utilized by the undergraduates of library and information science (LIS), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo. Six research objectives with corresponding research questions were considered and answered. The descriptive survey method was adopted using a total population of 133 final year undergraduates of LIS, TSU, Jalingo. Furthermore, the complete census technique was employed to study the entire population. A fifty-eight (58) items questionnaire was used for data collection. 133 copies were distributed, but 127 (95.5%) copies were returned and found suitable for data analysis. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of mean scores and frequency counts. Findings revealed a high extent of accessibility of a good number of reference materials. Few of these materials were reported to be utilized to a high extent leading to a relationship between the extent of accessibility and utilization. However, numerous challenges were identified to be facing the accessibility and utilization of reference materials by the undergraduates. The study concludes that the extent of accessibility determines the extent of utilization which all proved to be high in the library studied. It was, however, among other things, recommended that the management of university libraries should intensify efforts to improve the number and quality of reference materials provided and make them accessible to their users.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates
    AU  - Juliet Onuoha
    AU  - Chukwuemeka Chukwueke
    Y1  - 2023/05/29
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12
    T2  - American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems
    JF  - American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems
    JO  - American Journal of Operations Management and Information Systems
    SP  - 12
    EP  - 20
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8310
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajomis.20230801.12
    AB  - The reference section of every library remains an important arm of such library. It contains materials needed for teaching, learning, community development and research. However, studies have shown that most of these materials are rarely consulted by library users, hence, the rationale of the present study which investigated the extent to which reference materials are accessed and utilized by the undergraduates of library and information science (LIS), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo. Six research objectives with corresponding research questions were considered and answered. The descriptive survey method was adopted using a total population of 133 final year undergraduates of LIS, TSU, Jalingo. Furthermore, the complete census technique was employed to study the entire population. A fifty-eight (58) items questionnaire was used for data collection. 133 copies were distributed, but 127 (95.5%) copies were returned and found suitable for data analysis. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of mean scores and frequency counts. Findings revealed a high extent of accessibility of a good number of reference materials. Few of these materials were reported to be utilized to a high extent leading to a relationship between the extent of accessibility and utilization. However, numerous challenges were identified to be facing the accessibility and utilization of reference materials by the undergraduates. The study concludes that the extent of accessibility determines the extent of utilization which all proved to be high in the library studied. It was, however, among other things, recommended that the management of university libraries should intensify efforts to improve the number and quality of reference materials provided and make them accessible to their users.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • University Library, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

  • Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Education, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria

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