Digital Libraries and Access to Information in Nigerian Federal Universities: The Impact of Technology Variables

Abstract

The paper examined the impact of technology variables on access to information by undergraduates in the digital libraries of federal universities in Nigeria. The study was an empirical research which adopted Ex-post-facto as the design. The questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 1,506 respondents drawn, using a multi-stage technique, from the population of 30,121 undergraduates in addition to the entire 21 library staff of seven federal universities purposively selected from southern Nigeria. Focus group discussion and interview sessions were also used to complement the questionnaire responses. Data generated were analysed using frequency and percentages. Responses from the focus group discussion and the interview were analysed qualitatively. The findings revealed that technology variables such as system usability, interface design and content usefulness make a low impact on the undergraduates’ access to information. It was recommended among others that training programs should be organised by the libraries to equip the undergraduates with the digital literacy skills required for effective access to information.