Influence Of Library Environment And User Education On Undergraduates’ Use Of Library At The University Of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of library environment and user education on undergraduates’ use of the University central library at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.The study adopted the survey research design and the population consisted of 18,034 regular undergraduates in ten faculties from which a sample size of 360 respondents was selected using the proportionate, random sampling technique. The research instrument used for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire while data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation together with regression and correlation analysis.The finding of the study revealed that library environment at the University of Ibadan was characterised by good library building (mean=3.75), seating arrangement (mean=3.59), availability of information resources (mean=3.54), and fair electricity supply while there was poor Internet connectivity and Wi-Fi within and outside the library (mean=2.39). Methods of delivering user education were library orientation for new students (64.3%) and use of library course (53.4%) with guided library tour. Most undergraduates used the library daily or weekly in order to study and read for examinations. However, inadequate technological facilities to use for electronic sources (mean=2.65), and poor network/internet connectivity to access electronic databases were some of the major challenges of using the University library. The study found a significant relationship between the independent variables (library environment and user education) and the dependent variable (use of library) (r = .342, N= 322, P < .01); while both library environment and user education jointly and independently contributed to the use of library among the undergraduates. programmes given more priority in the University library in order to sensitise more students and draw their attention to the available resources and services while the environment of the University library (both internal and external) should be made more conducive to always attract the users to the library.

Users’ Education as Correlates of Library Resources Utilization by Undergraduates’ in Selected Universities in Kwara State

“…The findings revealed amidst others that though more than half of the respondents do not attend lectures regularly yet the course has positively influenced the utilization of the library resources. Folorunso and Njoku (2016) examined the influence of library environment and user education on undergraduates' use of the university central library at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design and the population consisted of 18,034 regular undergraduates in ten faculties from which a sample size of 360 respondents was selected using the proportionate, random sampling technique.…”

“…Based on the finding related to the influence of users education on the use of electronic databases undergraduates that users education empower students to have better knowledge on the use of electronic resources, undergraduates time is saved on the use of electronic resources through users education, expose graduates to alternative sources of information on a particular subject of interest, users education creates and sensitize undergraduates to their library right and users' education serves as valuable instrument to the librarians who should make genuine efforts to understand its general aspects as well as its general peculiarities as influence of users education on the of electronic databases. This is supported by Folorunso and Njoku (2016) that effective user education programme helps to create a friendly atmosphere where the users and the librarian see themselves as partners in progress. User education is of immense benefits to both the user and the library.…”

Users’ Perception of the Telecommunication Technologies Used for Improving Service Delivery at Federal University Libraries in Anambra and Enugu State

“…This, according to him, could be achieved by first ensuring strong and lasting relationship with their customers, which comprise researchers, faculty members and students. The essence of such relationship is to collaborate and partner with the users in order to design attractive services that will meet their specific information needs, and also be preferable to the services offered in other information centers [15]. For a library to ascertain whether a strong and lasting relationship has been created with its users, there is need to determine users' perception of the nature of service delivery in the library.…”

Reinventing the Role of Academic Libraries in Nigeria to be Active Contributors to Student Wellness in the COVID – 19 Pandemic

“…Initiating this innovative function of the Nigerian academic library is even more necessary when one considers that library use among undergraduate Nigeria students is focused just in study and research. In the study by Folorunso and Njoku (2016), over 80% of 360 participants highlighted that they never used the library for relaxation or sleep.…”