Reference Services and Students’ Perception of Information Resources in the Nyong Essien Library of the University of Uyo

Abstract

This study investigated reference services and students' perception of information resources in the Nyong Essien Library of the University of Uyo. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the influence of quick factual information on students' perception of information resources, to determine the influence of referrals on students' perception of information resources, and to examine the influence of selective dissemination of information on students' perception of information resources. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the Kano model theory. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The area of study is the Nyong Essien library of the University of Uyo. The population for the study comprised all 4,888 registered users of the Nyong Essien library of the University of Uyo for the 2017/2018 academic session. The sample size for this study was 488 and the sample was selected using accidental sampling technique. The instrument used for the collection of data was a researcher developed questionnaire. The researcher personally administered copies of the questionnaire to the respondents. The data generated were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and the dependent t-test was employed to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that there is significant influence of quick factual information on students' perception of information resources, that there is significant influence of referrals on students' perception of information resources and that there is significant influence of selective dissemination of information on students' perception of information resources. Recommendations made were that librarians should ensure that needed information is provided within a very short time, students should be referred to experts in specialized fields and information should be provided.