Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the availability and utilization of library’s ICT facilities by undergraduates of Rhema university, Aba. The research design used was a descriptive survey. A purposive sampling technique was used in carrying out the work. A total number of two hundred (200) respondents were used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Two hundred (200) copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the undergraduate students in the university. One hundred and ninety-four (194) were returned representing 96.5% return rate. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean scores and standard deviation with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The study found that the library examined makes available varieties of ICT facilities and showed a strongly agreement response on the users’ level of awareness by the respondents. The findings of the study also revealed that there are some benefits attached to the use of these ICT facilities in research such as reduction in time spent on research thereby speeding up research, improvement in communication and resource sharing among researchers, provision of access to a wide range of information, efficient organization and classification of information and reduction in distance barrier in carrying out research. Consequently, the study also found out that the problems militating against the use of available electronic resources include; unawareness of the availability of related e-resources to their discipline/course of study, inadequate guide on how to use the resources, poor internet connection, inadequate ICT facilities, epileptic power supply, unconducive atmosphere, frequent breakdown of ICT facilities, virus attack, as well as inadequate trained personnel. The recommendations made to improve availability and use of electronic resources by undergraduates include: sustained public relations programme, purchase and building of power stations, increase in internet connectivity and bandwidth, provision of well-ventilated reading rooms, user education, training and provision of well-trained manpower were suggested for action.