Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Winter 3-11-2022
Abstract
The aim of user education programme is to assist library users make the most effective use of library with little or no assistance from the library staff. Due to the greater relevance of libraries in information, education and the increasing complexity of libraries as a result of information explosion and a deluge of educational and information resources, it is imperative that libraries engage in user education programmes. In addition, availability of information resources and services to students is crucial but more importantly it is to ensure that students for whom these resources and services are provided utilise them adequately to satisfy their needs. The study therefore examines user education programmes, resources availability and use: the experience of college of education students in Kwara state, Nigeria.
Descriptive survey design was adopted and the study population consisted 443 students in the department of chemistry, school of sciences, college of education, Kwara state, Nigeria. The simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 199. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics for the five research questions.
Findings revealed that textbooks 57.5% and Internet resources 52.2% were readily available to the respondents. 39.8% respondents strongly agreed that, user education developed their capabilities as self-sufficient users. Also, 34.4% respondents revealed that their library skills were developed and made them become more independent in locating and retrieving information materials. 81.7% respondents strongly agreed that crowdedness/largeness of the class capacity was a major barrier hindering user education in their libraries, 72.6% also indicated that lack of periodic user education programme was a barrier while 69.8% of respondents revealed that lack of relevant and up-to-date resources were user education challenges which negatively affect the use of library resources by the students.