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AN ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY, AWARENESS AND USE OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN THE LIBRARIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The traditional library consists of information resources in printed form. Its task has been to collect, process, and store and disseminate information for the purpose of reading, teaching and consultation. The information, largely in print form, has been the most widely accepted format for providing information and library services to satisfy the needs of library users. Today this is being replaced by electronic or digital resources that meet the needs of researchers and information seekers. In this light, Dahi, et al (2006) posited that libraries that cling to traditional service models in an era of new information technology, rising costs and flat budgets cannot thrive.

At a time of ever increasing demand for information, libraries must keep abreast of developments in information technology and advanced communication to enable them provide services that today’s society both expect and need. It was in recognition of this that Iljon, (1998) observed that the convergence of computing and communication technologies impact significantly on the way in which information resources are created, managed and used; therefore, libraries need to plan and implement systems which will take advantage of this development. Rosenberg, (2005) opined that the changing academic environment and the recognition of the role of electronic resources in libraries has brought about a transformation which includes an investment in electronic infrastructure and connectivity and electronic learning, which calls for new approaches in providing library services to enhance the quality of higher education.

According to International encyclopedia of information science (2003). There is some of confusion over the concept of information resources, mainly as a result of the inclusion of technological resources in concept. Information resources are the procedures, equipment, facilities, software, and data that are designed built, operated, and maintained to collect, record, process, store, retrieve, display, and transmit information.

As a concept, Electronic resources stand for those electronic information resources that users access electronically via a computing network from inside the library or remote to the library (Shim et al 2001). According to A.L.A, (2005) update, as cited in Weitzh (2006), an electronic resource is a material (data and or programme) encoded for manipulation by a computerized device. This material may require the use of a peripheral directly connected to a computerized device (e.g. CD- ROM) or a connection to a computer network (e.g. Internet).The concept of electronic resources consist of texts, audio, visuals, graphics and animations in nature that are accessible through the aid of digital technologies. Ideally, these should provide users access to electronic information resources via electronic means. However, this definition also includes electronic resources such as databases on standalone Personal computers, information on CD-ROMs that may not be accessible through the Internet or other networks. Tammaro (2006) observed that electronic resources include websites, online databases, e-journals, e-books, CD-ROMs, audio visual, multimedia, etc.

To promote electronic resources and services use, Weingart and Anderson (2000) observed that libraries spend a substantial percentage of their budgets on acquiring and making them available for users. These resources provide access to information far beyond the limits of the libraries’ print collections. To effectively use the electronic resources and services, users must know of their existence. It is the responsibility of libraries that have acquired these resources and offer the services to bring to their customers the awareness of such resources and services. Information professionals have long asked questions to find out what makes an individual seek out information. Where does the information seeker find the information to satisfy his information need? These questions, according to Kibirge and Dapalo (2000), are of greater importance for the fact that people are using the internet to find information that is unmediated by the library. Electronic resources provide these services better and as Ibrahim (2004) observed, library users are no longer obliged to visit the library at regular opening hours to meet all their information needs. They may search the libraries’ on-line catalogues, use a subject guide or database to access a citation from the internet or access a full text article from web-based journals, they may browse electronic journals or electronic books.

Mutula and Ojedokun (2008) opined that digital library resources and services are increasingly being implemented by several agencies – government, private sector, and tertiary institutions, etc. because they make research easier for scholars and may ease budgetary constraints associated with the acquisition of print resources. They help to reduce preservation problems or help libraries extend collections into new media. Above all, they help to make information readily available. It is in the same vein that Waldman (2003) observed that undergraduate students look for the fastest way that will lead to satisfactory results when doing research. Therefore, they go for electronic information sources first. Electronic resources and are sought after not only by undergraduates, but by every student at all levels of tertiary institutions.

Brief History of Library and Information Science Department

The department of library and information science accepted its first students in 1968. It was the second library school to be established in Nigeria and the first to offer the Bachelor of Library science as its professional programme. The evolution of information technology necessitated a change in nomenclature of the department and consequently , the restructure of the entire program in the department this was approved by the faculty board of education, the senate and NUC and in 1989 the department was changed to library and information science , with the degree awarded also changed to Bachelor of library and information science.(BLIS) The department which started with 9 students, has a total number of over six hundred students today.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The migration of knowledge management from purely print materials to hybrid and electronic resources led the Department of Library and Information Science to think in the lines of adopting technology not only to supplement the already stretched print resources but also to offer more up to date alternatives.

However despite the massive investment on the electronic resources, it has been realized that the resources utilization levels are low.

It is with the above scenario in mind that this work was conducted so as to assess the use of electronic resources by the Undergraduate student of the department of library and information science Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to make an assessment of availability, awareness and use of electronic resources and services in the libraries

The following are the objectives of the study

1. To identify what types of electronic resources are provided in the libraries of the department of library and information science

2. To determine if information seekers are aware of the existence of electronic resources in the institution's libraries.

3. To determine the extent of use of these resources by Undergraduate students of the library and information science.

4. To find out those factors that hinders the use of electronic resources and services in the department of library and information science.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions for this study are as follows:

1. What types of electronic resources are available in Ahmadu Bello University libraries?

2. How are the electronic information resources accessed by the undergraduate students of library and information science?

3. To what extent are the electronic resources used by undergraduate students of the department?

4. What are the challenges faced in using the electronic resources by the undergraduate students of the department?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Since the search for printed materials in the library wastes time, the study is significant because it will bridge the gap in time of access to information in print materials and those in electronic resources. It will also create awareness for the various management to join the current technological trend of development by providing electronic resources to undergraduate students.

It will also bring to light the use or non-use of these electronic resources by the intended students.

It will reveal the problems encountered in the use of the resources to which solutions will be proffered?

Recommendations from the study will serve a useful purpose in pointing the way forward in the provision and use of electronic resources in the institutions. It will contribute to the existing knowledge and literature in the area of electronic resources.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

The study is centered on assessing the use of electronic resources by the Undergraduate student of library and information science Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The targeted subjects for the study are the undergraduate students of Library and Information Science.

1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are defined in the context in which they are used in this study:

Availability-This is ready access to information in the electronic format with little or no stress to the library user.

Awareness -This is the knowledge that something exists because an individual or the intended user notices it or realizes that it is available or happening.

Assessment – is the systematic collection of information about student learning, using the time, knowledge, exercise and resources available in order to inform decisions about how to improve learning.

CD-ROM - Compact disc (CD) according to Risopoulous (1988:78) is a laser – read (also termed optically read) data storage device on which audio, video or textual material can be stored.

Electronic Resources - These are electronic information resources that users access electronically via a computing network. Examples include online databases, e- journals, e-books, CD-ROMs, audio visual multimedia, etc.

OPAC- an Online Public Access Catalog (often abbreviated as OPAC or simply Library Catalog) is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. It is a computerized library catalog available to the public. Most OPACs are accessible over the Internet to users all over the world.

Undergraduate Student - is a student who is studying for his/her first degree (usually entitled Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (Bsc). There are four levels of undergraduate study equating to first-year, second-year and third-year study and fourth year of study.

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