International Journal of Applied Technologies in Library and Information Management

Attitude and the Use of Electronic Databases by Lecturers in Universities in Katsina State, Nigeria

Hadi Lawal, Bappah Magaji Abubakar — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the attitude and use of electronic databases by lecturers in universities in Katsina State. The objective of the study was to investigate the attitude and use of electronic databases by lecturers on the use of electronic databases in the universities in Katsina State. Also, one null hypothesis was raised for the research. The population of the study was all the 1149 lecturers in the universities under study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 291 lecturers. A questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection and was distributed to the respondents accordingly. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics through the use of frequency counts with tables to explain. Chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. The Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS software version 20.0 was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that lecturers' attitude towards the use of electronic databases was positive. It was also found that lecturers used electronic databases to a very high extent and for different academic purposes. The study concluded that the attitude of lecturers regarding the use of electronic databases was encouraging. In light of these findings, the study recommended that university management should improve the attitude of lecturers toward e-databases overcome their resistance to change to a new technological advancement and provide more ICT facilities that will enhance the utilization of e- databases.

An Appraisal on the Utilization of E-Library Resources and Services by Students of Fudma during A 2-Daynigerian Labour Congress Warning Strike

Felix Usman Manjack, Ukashatu Hamza Musa, Hajara Yakubu — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study sought to investigate an appraisal on the utilization of e-library resources and services by students of FUDMA during a 2-day NLC warning strike. The study adopted survey research design because of its convenience, flexibility, and ability to gather extensive information from the study population. The population of study comprised of 53undergraduate and postgraduate students who used the e-library during a two-day NLC warning strike. Questionnaire was used to collect for data collection. Data collected for the study were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The study found out that both undergraduate and postgraduate students use all of the services, with internet search services having the highest responses, e-library resources used by undergraduate and graduate students includes World Wide Web and wireless network got the highest responses. The study recommended that, federal university Dutsin-Ma library management should improve more on services such as e-books, e-news, and e-journals. These services received low response from the users and these are good resources that carries current and up to date information. The library management should makes all the available e-library resources accessible easier so as to improve the usage of the eresources especially DVD-ROM, video lectures, audio resources and electronic newspapers.

Investigating the Preservation of Information Resources in Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso Library

Buhari Yakubu — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the preservation of information resources in Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso Library. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all professional and Para-professional staff currently working in the library. A paper-based questionnaire was used for data collection and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies. The study revealed that the deterioration of information resources in the library is caused by environmental factors, biological factors, mechanical factors, natural factors, and chemical factors. The study also revealed the preservation measures adopted to preserve the information resources were dusting of library materials, binding of deteriorated library materials, photocopying of library materials, regular mopping of the floor, fumigation, proper shelving of library materials, and use of air conditioners or ceiling fans. However, the study revealed that the preservation of information resources is facing various challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of trained personnel, inadequate security measures, lack of effective preservation policy, unfavourable weather conditions, inadequate training facilities, and lack of management support. Therefore, the study concluded that to improve the preservation of information resources in the library, adequate funding, intensive staff training, increased security measures, effective preservation policy, adequate preservation facilities, and stable weather conditions must be provided.

Building Community Partnerships and Collaboration for Effective Library and Information Services Delivery

Blessing N. Amanze-Unagha, Amanze O. Unagha — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper takes a broad view of the steps to be taken by libraries in building community partnership and collaboration for effective library and information service delivery. The concepts of partnerships and collaboration are explained and the background of rural information landscape in Nigeria is revealed. The paper also x-rays the roles and challenges of community libraries in Nigeria. The paper further notes that the terms libraries, public libraries and rural/community libraries were used interchangeably to capture the complimentary roles each can play in building community partnership and collaborations. So the focus of the paper is on rural/ community libraries. The paper identifies and discusses the various groups, actions and institutions that theses libraries can build community partnership and collaboration with to effectively deliver library and information service. They include market place association, churches, philanthropists and Friends of the library, Age grade association, Town unions, the Diasporas, readership campaign, schools and local governments. The paper concludes that library is not an island entire upon itself, and with the economic crunch which has affected the library budgets, rural/community libraries have no other option but to build community partnerships and collaboration if they are to deliver their services effectively and efficiently.

Utilization of Information Resources and Services by Students in Private Secondary School Libraries in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Ashiru Muhammad, Bappah Magaji Abubakar — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the utilization of information resources and services in private secondary school libraries in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify the types of information resources and services utilized in private secondary school libraries, to find out the extent of utilization of information resources and services in the private secondary school libraries and to ascertain the challenges affecting the utilization of information resources and services in the private secondary school libraries in Jigawa State. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative research methodology, with a crosssectional design was adopted for the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting the sample size for the study. The simple random sampling technique was used to select two (2) private secondary schools from each of the three (3) selected senatorial zones in Jigawa State; thus six (6) private secondary schools were selected for the study. The proportionate probability to size sampling technique was used to select 10% of the 2126 students in the selected schools. Two hundred and thirteen (213) respondents were selected to form the sample size for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics using frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze the data collected for the study. The findings revealed that a variety of information resources and services were made available to students. The most utilized resources according to the findings were; textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, globes and atlases, and displays or chalkboards. While the most utilized services were user education services, storytelling services, current awareness services and community information services. The results also showed that inadequate funds, space, furniture, inconvenience distance of the library, lack of trained personnel to facilitate easy access to resources, and obsolete information resources were the challenges affecting the utilization of school library resources and services in private secondary schools libraries in Jigawa State. The study concludes that the situation in private secondary school libraries is not better than that of public schools. The study, therefore, recommends that budgetary allocation to school libraries should be enhanced to provide, relevant and adequate resources and services among others for effective and efficient library services.

Influence of Age and Marital Status on Organizational Commitment of Librarians in Academic Libraries in South-East, Nigeria

Blessing Nneka Amanze-Unagha — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study focuses on the influence of age and marital status on organizational commitment of librarians in academic libraries in South- East, Nigeria based on the three components of affective, continuance and normative organizational commitment. The study articulated two objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses. The research used descriptive survey research design. The census sampling method was adopted to study the entire population of 274 respondents. The questionnaire was used as the instrument to collect data for the study. The validated structured questionnaire on influence of age and marital status on organizational commitment of librarians had a correlation coefficient of 0.83. Mean value differentials and percentages were used to analyse the two research questions. Chi-square statistical technique was used to test the hypotheses because data elicited were categorical data and not measurement data formulated at 0.05 level of significance. Findings show that age had a significant influence on organizational commitment of librarians (t-cal 53.26; t- tab 12.6) and marital status had a significant influence on organizational commitment of librarians (t-cal 49.32; t-tab 12.6. Based on the findings, the study recommends that age as a demographic variable should not be a criterion for organizational commitment of librarians because at any age one can have a reason for being committed to an organization; organizations should employ more of married people who may be in the organization with their spouse or who may not relocate because of their spouse's residence. The study also recommends that library managers should formulate ways of utilizing mentoring of younger ones by both the old and more accomplished librarians to inspire and spur them on in their commitment to their organizations, and that organizations should employ more of married people (who may be in the organization with their spouse or who may not relocate because of their spouse's residence).

Management of Electronic Resources for Effective Service Delivery in Medical Libraries in South South Nigeria

Moses Agba Undie, Dymphinan Anyingang Abua, Ekomobong Okon Ben — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper survey the management of electronic resources in medical libraries in South South Nigeria. The survey was necessitated by the fact that electronic resources have become the driving force in the provision of quality service to medical library patrons. For electronic resources to be judiciously utilized, the management principles of planning, organizing, and controlling need to be effectively implemented in other to enhance remote access to the resources. A descriptive survey research design was adopted from five medical libraries consisting of 71 librarians sampled out of the 14 universities that were used for the study. Data for the study were generated using questionnaire and were presented in tables and analyzed using the mean. Findings shows among others that each of this medical library, developed policies to determine resources to be catalogued, encouraged the use of MARC, OCLC and OPAC are the most adequate methods of organising electronic information resources, application of Electronic Resources Control System is adopted to regulate abuse behaviour. The problems of electronic resources management is lack of managerial principles and computer literacy skills. Following these findings, recommendations were made to the effect that medical libraries should initiate training programs for library staff in collaboration with campus computer centers, adequate funding should be provided for the medical library to facilitate its services, medical librarians should design library websites to provide links to their electronic/online resources and web/internet based services.

Awareness and Utilization of Electronic Information Resources Among Final Year Students of Clifford University, Abia State, Nigeria

Evans Chima Otuza — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the awareness and utilization of electronic information resources among final year students of Clifford University. Electronic information resources help students acquire information and enhance their learning and research capabilities. The need to explore online libraries and electronic databases for qualitative data and research output; the high financial involvement per database subscription and their actual utilization before expiration to justify the investment was the motivation for this study. Observations revealed that most students depended on Google uncoordinated download rather than utilize library databases. The survey design was used to carry out this research. This study consisted of 287 final year students in Clifford University and census method was used select all. Of the 287 copies of questionnaire distributed, 280 were retrieved and analysed using descriptive statistics guided by research questions. The findings confirmed that the electronic information resources that are highly available for the final year students were electronic mail (44.3%), internet search engine (38.9%), and internet (37.1%). For the level of awareness of electronic information resources, internet search engine, electronic mail, e-books, CD-ROM, electronic journals, and scholarly databases ranked high with 52.5%, JSTOR, Research4life,HINARI, EBSCO host, Science direct, OARE, MIT Open courseware (37.9%) was moderately aware. The degree of utilization of electronic information resources, electronic journals was highly utilized (57.9%) and internet search engines and e-book (36.8%). For the challenges faced while using electronic resources poor network and limited access to computer systems and other handheld devices had 63.9% and 63.2% respectively. The study concluded that most of the final year students were not aware of certain types of electronic information resources in the library and some don't know how to effectively manipulate the electronic resources. Poor electric power supply, inadequate ICT skills, limited access to computer systems and other handheld devices posed as challenges. It was recommended that Stable power supply, effective network services, more computers and other handheld devices such as tabs should be provided by the university administration to boost the number already in use at the e-library.

Information Seeking Behaviour of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Personnel, Kano Zonal Command

Rufa'i Garba Ahmad, Alkasim Hamisu Abdu, Mujahid Sunusi Abdullahi — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Study investigated information seeking behavior of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Personnel. The study used quantitative research methodology through cross sectional Survey design to collect relevant data for the Study. The population comprises all the entire NDLEA Staff of the Kano zonal command. One hundred and fifty (150) Copies of questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and 108 representing 72% were filled and returned. The Findings of the Study revealed that the NDLEA Kano command personnel are constantly seeking for information about drug peddlers in order to carry out their job. The findings still revealed that Internet is the most useful source of information to the NDLEApersonnel in Kano command. The finding also revealed that Majority of NDLEA Personnel at Kano Command encountered problems in the process of finding information such as problems with internet connectivity, lack of computer literacy, while the least problem they encountered is difficulties in getting right information. A central point should be created where relevant information flow to all parts of the command, library and information Centre could be served as the central body, which will integrate all information activities within and outside the agency. The study concludes that certain information sources are found useful to the personnel at their work, but it was found out that majority of the personnel do not received relevant information, information on drug peddlers was the most useful to the personnel at their work, majority of the personnel of NDLEA Kano command are yet to appreciate the information role a library or information Centre can play in their work.

Use of Social Media and Librarians' Interaction with Users in University of Calabar Llibrary

Affiong Bassey Moses, Martina Ekpenyong Ekeng — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the relationship between use of social media and librarian's interaction with users' in University of Calabar library, Cross River States of Nigeria. Survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 300(three hundred) registered library users' and this was also used as sample. Accidental sampling technique was used for the study. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the analysis showed that use of facebook, use of WhatsApp and use of flicker are significantly related with librarians' interaction with users' in promoting library services in University of Calabar Library. It was recommended that finance should be adequately and promptly provided by the parent institutions to further enhance the use of social media to promote library services in University libraries.