Challenges Affecting the Use of Information Resources and Services by Postgraduate Students in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria in (FUAM, MOUA and FUAA)

Authors

Lawal Mohammed TukurFollow
S. Kannan, SRM University, SonepatFollow

Date of this Version

1-13-2021

Abstract

The study an appraisal of information resources and services in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria; the respondents are postgraduate in, Federal University Agriculture Makurdi, Federal Michael Okpara University Agriculture Abia, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, sampled by the researcher. The main objective of the study is to assess the information resources and services in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria with view to examine the types of information resources and services available, extent of utilization and the constraints associated with the use of information resources and services by Library postgraduate students in Agriculture University Libraries under study. Simple random sampling was used in selecting the Agriculture University Libraries from the six geopolitical zones; while questionnaires were administered to users. The researcher has been taken 1.1% of the entire population of respondents=6933 = 78. Seventy eight (78) copies of the questionnaires were administered to the respondents, however, seventy three (73) of questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed from the different Agriculture University Libraries sampled representing (93.6%),. Major findings testify that the current agricultural information resources available, accessible and utilized are insufficient in agriculture University libraries in Nigeria. constraints confronted the postgraduate students, includes internet connectivity, power failure, attitudes of the staff, current information resources particularly e-journals, e-books and loans periods, information resources related to agricultural information such as databases, e-journals, e-books were the information needs identified are not much available. Due to inadequate numbers of library staff, there was scanty access to appropriate information services to the users. The study recommended, the improvement of the existing information resources, services and facilities for the user’s information needs, subscriptions of offline databases such as, AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and E-Granary to access agricultural information offline with millions of information resources on text books journals available and continue to be added in each seconds. To overcome these constraints library management should look in to the possible area of income sources and funding the library beyond annual budget and dependency on TETFund.