Information resources

Sustaining the Relevance of Institutional Repository in Academic Libraries in Nigeria: A University of Jos Perspective (Published)

Institutional repositories (IRs) are one of the fastest growing mediums of accessing Electronic information resources in Academic Libraries (ALs) today. They have potentially increased the public value, ranking, prestige, and visibility of researchers, and relevant universities. Despite the important and rapid growth of IRs, few efforts have been made to systematically review and integrate the findings of various research studies to ensure the sustenance of IRs in Nigeria. Hence, this paper carried out a review on the IR of University of Jos to provide a better way of sustaining it in the Institution and Nigeria by extension. The study employed a longitudinal research method and systematic literature review (SLR). Findings showed that the viewers from the local host (Nigeria), is not encouraging as expected. The IR challenges include; limited qualified manpower and network issues. On the way forward, the study provided a roadmap for better efforts in sustaining institutional repositories by highlighting the basic guidelines for the successful viability of IRs in the Nigerian higher academic public institutions.

Keywords: Academic Libraries (ALs), Information Communication Technology (ICT), Information resources, Institutional Repository (IR), Open Access

Information Resources Preservation in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Strategies (Published)

Natural disasters, human, chemical, biological and environmental factors were responsible for deterioration of information resources in the university libraries. Photocopying, re-binding, fumigation, microfilming, lamination, air conditioning and digitization techniques were adopted for preservation of information resources and books were mostly borrowed and consulted in the libraries in developing world.  Based on literature, the study recommended that management of the universities should acquire a variety of information resources which should not be limited to books, serials, reference sources but to include e-resources with preservation consciousness. Thus, preservation of deteriorating information resources in libraries has become a global phenomenon to which academic libraries must aggressively respond if their mission of providing information needs to their patrons is to be achieved in this era of dwindling budgetary allocation to libraries couple with the present economic recession.  It can therefore be said that the aim of information resources preservation programs is to maintain and preserve information materials according to their use and their significance. Thus, preservation of information resources is an important aspect of library and information management.

Citation: Olubiyo P.O. and Olubiyo L.M. (2023) Information Resources Preservation in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Strategies, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.9, No.3, pp.24-34

 

Keywords: Academic Libraries, Information resources, Preservation, Strategies.

Organization, Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials: A Case Study of Lagos State University Library, Ojo-Lagos (Published)

Basically, since the main purpose of every library is to collect, organize, preserve, conserve and provide knowledge and information materials available to users, hence the researchers decides to examined and understudy the trends in collection development department and how information resources are preserved in Lagos State University Library, Ojo-Lagos. This study revealed that the collection development in library helps in conserving information resources in order to reflect the library mission which is collect, organize, preserve, conserve. Also, this study recommended that policies in collection development should be given serious consideration in the building library collections. Therefore, there is need for tertiary institutions especially Lagos State University to provide adequate funding for resources and maintain a good and up-to-date maintenance ethics for better preservation and  conservation of the information resources.

Citation: Makinde Omawumi O., Monu John Oluwaseyi,  Okusaga, Tajudeen and Ekeh, Esther Motunrayo (2022)   Organization, Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials: A Case Study of Lagos State University Library, Ojo-Lagos, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.8, No.1, pp.19-32

Keywords: Conservation, Information resources, collection development, university libraries

Significance of Academic Libraries in Programmes Accreditation in Technical Universities in Ghana (Published)

The purpose of this research is to determine the significance of academic libraries in the accreditation of programmes in Technical Universities in Ghana. The study is limited to Technical Universities in Ghana, with their librarians and assistants as target respondents, and is guided by two key objectives. The study employed a census design method to collect data from all Technical University librarians and their assistants and six purposefully selected GTEC staffs making a total enumeration of thirty-six. The questionnaire was utilized as a means of gathering information. Data was given in frequency, graphs, with their respective percentages. The discovery demonstrates that libraries are actively involved in all certification processes because they offer information resources that are necessary and critical for accreditation. The study recommended that adequate financial support must be provided to academic libraries for them to function effectively. Also, alternative power supply should be developed for the library to have a stable power supply and enough skilled personnel with background knowledge in librarianship be placed in charge of the library, and academic libraries should invest in the acquisition of electronic resources. Lastly, the study suggested that the collections of the libraries of technical universities must be current to help support accreditation of programmes in their institutions.

Keywords: Academic Libraries, Accreditation, Ghana tertiary education commission (GTEC), Information resources, Programmes, technical universities

Yaba College of Technology Library: Resources Utilisation for Effective Services Delivery to Users Community (Published)

The paper looked at Yaba College of Technology, library Lagos in the provision of information resources and services to students and staff of the institution.  Questionnaire was the  instrument use  for  gathering  data from   One hundred (100) respondents which  were randomly selected out of which eighty (80) were returned and found useful for the study. This research revealed  that majority of the respondents were aware of the existence of library  in the  school  but  do not  fully  utilized  it  because the information  resources  of the library  are  outdated   that  could not meet  information needs of user  due to the above constraints the respondents   look elsewhere  to get their  information  need  satisfied.  The study then gave some recommendations as a way forward to promote effective service delivery by the library to the target users. Amongst these is that there is a need to have a functional library with modern information resources (ICT) with qualified personnel with adequate skills essential for effective utilization of e- resources. In order to ensure that staff of the library is efficient in their daily services delivery library as essential information center should at least once in a year attend a skill acquisition programme relevant to their areas of operations.  In order for the library to play its role, especially in this Information age, it must be adequately funded by the government and other stakeholders. The failure of academic library like that of  Yaba College of Technology has been largely responsible for failure of Nigerian  academic institutions in   overall global rating of the academic institution in which Yaba College of technology is known as one of the foremost academic institutions  in the  world  assessment team  

Keywords: Availability, Information resources, Library, Utilization, services delivery

Information Search Strategies as Correlate of Information Resource Utilization in Academic Libraries (Published)

The study investigated the influence of knowledge of information search strategies on the use of library resources by undergraduate students in federal universities in South-South, zone, Nigeria. The sampled population comprised of 952 registered library users from 3 selected universities in the zone in 2017/2018 academic session. Survey research design method was employed using a structured questionnaire to collect data. Data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation. The hypothesis was tested using simple linear regression. The regression model produced a regression coefficient of R = .405 which shows that there is a significant positive relationship between knowledge of information search strategies and utilization of library resources. The study equally revealed a relatively low knowledge of information search strategies by undergraduates in the universities investigated. It was recommended among others that libraries should intensify the teaching of information literacy skills, paying particular attention to information search strategies. More so, lecturers should give their students assignments and tasks that require them to do advanced literature search.

Keywords: Information resources, Library Resources, Nigeria, Undergraduates, Utilization, search strategies, south-south zone

Exhibition and Oral Publicity as a Predictor of Utilization of Information Resources in University Libraries in Abia and Imo States (Published)

The general purpose of the study is to determine how exhibitions and oral publicity relate to utilization of information resources in university libraries in Abia and Imo States of Nigeria. The study covers the entire population of 394 library users.328 copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned for analysis representing 83.2%.The survey research design was used for the study. The survey research design was used for the study. Findings show that there is a significant relationship between library exhibitions and utilization of information resources in university libraries in Abia and Imo states ( ² cal = 244.2 ≥  ² tab = 21.03), oral publicity and utilization of information resources ( ² cal = 115.7 ≥  ² tab = 21.03). The study recommends that Library exhibitions must maintain a minimum standard to ensure that useful results and responses from users are obtained. University libraries should increase the number of potential patrons of their services by mounting exhibitions at regular intervals. Libraries should publicize their collections by linking oral publicity to their collections and services. Acquisition of major information resources and donations should be publicized orally to promote their use and to spur others to emulate the donors with their own donations.

Keywords: Exhibition, Imo, Information resources, Oral Publicity, State, University Libraries Abia

Students’ Characteristics and Information Resources Utilization in the University of Uyo Library (Published)

This study examined students’ characteristics and information resources utilization in the University of Uyo library. To carry out the study, two specific objectives were formulated from which two research questions and two hypotheses were drawn. Out of the population of 9694 registered undergraduate students in the University of Uyo library for 2013/2014 academic session, the sample size of 484 registered undergraduate students were purposively sampled for the study. Data were collected for the study through the administration of 25 – item questionnaire tagged “Students’ Characteristics and Information Resources Utilization Questionnaire” (SCIRUQ). The data obtained were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). The findings showed that there is significant relationship between age and students’ utilization of University of Uyo library information resources. It also showed that there is significant relationship between gender and students’ utilization of University of Uyo library information resources, The study concluded that though students of all ages and gender utilize the information resources in the library. One of the recommendations was that University libraries need to adopt the computerized methods to access and utilize information resources in the library.

Keywords: Characteristics, Information resources, Students, University of Uyo Library, Utilization

Availability and Utilization of Information Resources and Services in the Special Education Centre Libraries in South-East, Nigeria (Published)

The study focused on ascertaining the availability and utilization of information resources and services in the special education centre libraries in South-East, Nigeria. The study was prompted due to the problems encountered by physically challenged student in the use of normal library services. Six research questions were posed to guide the study, while two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted survey research design, and used observational checklist and rating scale as data collection instruments. The sample size for the study was 430 comprising five special education staff and 425 special education pupils/students. Two-stage sampling simple random sampling was made. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to ascertain reliability coefficient of .85. Frequency count, standard deviation and mean score were used to address the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using t-test of difference. Results revealed that the number of available information resources for the blind and partially sighted is significantly less than expected in this context. That the number of available information resources for the deaf and hard of hearing is also significantly less than expected. The study also revealed that the available information services for the blind and partially sighted is significantly less than expected, the available information services for the deaf and hard of hearing is also significantly less than expected. The available information resources for the blind and partially sighted are not fully utilized, and the available information resources for the deaf and hard of hearing are not fully utilized. The study concluded that the provision of information resources and services is less than expected. Also the available information resources and services are not fully utilized by the physically challenged groups studied for any significant impact in learning. It `was recommended that, there should be provision of information resources, such as Braille resources; tactile or raised surface; sign language books; adaptive or electronic devices. Services like: on-sight support; guided tours; facilities, etc.  Every such library should employ librarians who are clearly aware of the nature of work they do. Adequate funding for proper management of the special education centre libraries in Nigeria in such a way as to meet the present day educational demand for these classes of /pupils/students studied, among others. Suggestions for further studies were also made.

Keywords: Education, Information resources, Libraries, Nigeria, Students, Utilization

EFFECTIVE SELECTION AND ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES IN SCHOOL LIBRARY (Published)

The paper provides an overview of some elements that are necessary for ensuring effective selection and organization of information resources in school library. It explained the meaning, importance and need for best practice in the selection and organization of information resources in school libraries and tied the effectiveness of the process to conformity with Ranganthan’s five laws of library science. The paper also highlighted some selection criteria and tools as well as some expected qualities of a selector. Recommendations on the way forward in achieving effective selection and organization of acquired information resources in school library were also itemized.

Keywords: Information resources, Organization, Ranganathan’s law, School library., Selection