THE STUDY OF MANUAL AND ELECTRONIC CATALOGUING IN TWO ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN EDO STATE
ABSTRACT
This is a study of manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries, a case of Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin Libraries both in Edo state. The specific objectives include, to find out and compare the state of manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries, determine the relevance of manual and electronic cataloguing, identify the differences between manual and electronic cataloguing, investigate the problems that militate against manual and electronic cataloguing and profer solutions to the problems facing manual and electronic cataloguing. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the study; the population comprises of 29 professionals and 115 para-professional librarians from Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin Libraries (a total of 144 librarians). Total enumeration sampling technique was adopted for the study; the sample size being 144 librarians. Data collection instrument was the questionnaire, while the data was analyzed using simple percentages and tables. Findings revealed that both libraries are involved in manual and electronic cataloguing (with a total of 83.03%); study equally showed that electronic cataloguing in both libraries will enhance increased accessibility to information materials that are processed on daily basis; furthermore, the study revealed that manual cataloguing involves rigorous activities such as bibliographic description, bibliographic checking, filing and interfiling of cards among others. Conclusion was drawn and recommendations were made which includes, provision of adequate ICT facilities and that libraries should carry out training and re-training of cataloguing staff in the aspect of ICT.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Libraries are charged with the responsibilities of collecting, processing and preserving information materials, such materials must be arranged in an orderly manner, so that users can retrieve them without necessarily wasting much energy and time. Cataloguing of library materials play a very vital role towards ensuring appropriate organization, according to their subject area. A library having a million volumes that are not organized for easy retrieval will be judged as having nothing; therefore, to ensure effective and efficient retrieval, resources must be catalogue. A building filled with books is not necessary a library unless those books have been organized for easy access and made available for use (Ilo, 2008). Reitz (2004), sees cataloguing as the process of creating entries for a catalog in libraries, this usually includes bibliographic description, subject analysis, assignment of classification, notations and all the activities involved in physically preparing of the items for the shelf. Such tasks are usually performed under the supervision of trained librarian as a cataloguer.
Seriki (2011) defines cataloguing as the listing of the entire collection in a definite order for the purpose of identification when searching is conducted. A cataloguer is a librarian primarily responsible for preparing bibliographic records to represent the items acquired by a library, including bibliographic description, subject analysis and classification. The cataloguer is also referred to as the librarian who is also responsible for supervising a cataloguing department (Reitz, 2004) According to Aidenojie and Osawele (2014). Cataloguing is define as the process of listing something for inclusion in a catalog and the process involved the description of books in order to point out all the important features such as author, title, imprint collation, edition and subject of each book. Cataloguers are responsible for the processes of authority control of library materials. As a result of this bibliographic control, it can be said that cataloguers serve as the foundation of all library services, as they are the ones who organize information in such a way as to make it easily accessible. The cataloguers provide a complete and analytical bibliographic description of every item in a library collection which can be accessed through the author, title and the subject or any other access point. They therefore recommended cataloguers should actively participate in development, reform and fair application of cataloguing rules, standard and classifications as well as information storage and retrieval system.(Aidenojie and Osawele 2014), a librarian is a professionally trained person responsible for the care of a library and its contents which include the selection, processing and organization of materials as well as the delivery of information, instruction and loan service to meet the needs of its users. In an electronic environment the role of the librarian is to manage and mediate access to information that may exist in electronic format. A librarian is also refers to as a person responsible for the overall administration of a library or library system. (Reitz, 2004). Electronic resources librarian manages the databases that libraries license from third-party vendors. Technical service librarians work behind the scene ordering library materials and database subscription, computers and other equipment, supervise the cataloguing and physical processing of new materials. Collection development librarians monitor the selection of books and electronic resources. Reference or research librarians help people doing research to find the information they need through a structured conversation called a reference interview (Tiwari, 2014).
Before the advent of computerized cataloguing, the manual system has been in existence. It therefore becomes imperative to stand on the practice of manual cataloguing as a practice of manual cataloguing as a premise for building an understanding of the use of ICT in cataloguing. At inception, cataloguing was not a tedious task and this is attributed to the fact that there was no information explosion prior to the adoption of ICT for cataloguing purpose. Books were organized using length, colour, size and shape (Ilo,2008). Furthermore, Bair (2005), defined manual cataloguing as a hand written subject card where information has be created by hand in library and information science. Prior to the emergence of information and communication technology (ICT), the manual cataloguers engaged in activities ranging from bibliographic searching and description to assigning of subject class to materials in different subject areas. In a manual context, the cataloguer tries to find out if the materials to be catalogued exist in the library collection. This is done by cross-checking existing cards filed in the author, title and subject catalogue cabinet. For books already in existence, their bibliographic details are copied to the materials while those not found are catalogue originally, this method is cumbersome and slow. (Ilo,2012).
The emergence of electronic cataloguing has brought a turn-around to cataloguing as a core library process for example, in electronic cataloguing there is no delay because bibliographic details are not copied manually, which is usually tedious and time-consuming. Even Library Oriented Software Packages (LOSP) such as the Strategic Library Automated Management (SLAM) packages, has provision for bibliographic searching and entries of books, the library staff make the entries directly into the computer system thereby saving the time and energy that would have been used for coping on the worksheets, erasing, re-coping and typing on the catalogue cards (Omekwu,2007). The 21st century has witnessed a tremendous growth in technology. It is therefore normal to expect it to affect manual cataloguing processes. The work of the cataloguers has shifted from manual bibliographic description to electronic cataloguing using the internet where necessary which is faster. Ilo(2012).With the above perception, this study will examine the state of manual and electronic cataloguing in two academic libraries in Edo state.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The responsibility of the library as a growing organism is to select, acquire, process, preserve, organize, manage and disseminate information materials to meet the needs of the library users. Based on this information, materials must be effectively catalogued using either manual or electronic method in organizing these materials for easy retrieval. Manual cataloguing is a difficult task in organizing information materials in academic library as it involves using hand to write out the bibliographic details of the material on the 3 by 5 cards, which makes it slower than using electronic method in cataloguing information materials. Many libraries in the world, especially in developed countries have adopted the use of ICT in carrying out library functions and processes and this has gone a long way to satisfy the users as they are able to access and use library materials with ease. But as regards the use of ICT in carrying out library functions in developing countries, the situation is different even as many university libraries in Edo state are yet to fully adopt the use of ICT in cataloguing operations. It is against this background that this study is set out to investigate the state of manual and electronic cataloguing in Ambrose Alli University library Ekpoma and University of Benin library, Benin City.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objectives of this research is to carry out a study on manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries, the specific objectives are:
Find out the state of manual and electronic cataloguing in both academic libraries.
Determine the relevance of manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries.
Identify the differences between manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries
Investigate the problems that militate against manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries.
Solutions to the problems facing manual and electronic cataloguing in academic libraries.
1.4 Research Questions
The following Research questions will be used to guide the study.
What is the state of manual and electronic cataloguing in academic Libraries?
What is the relevance manual and electronic cataloguing in academic Libraries?
What are the differences between manual and electronic cataloguing?
What are the problems that militate against manual and electronic cataloguing?
What are the solutions to the problems facing manual and electronic cataloguing?
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study focuses on manual and electronic cataloguing in Ambrose Alli University Library Ekpoma and John Harris Library, University of Benin, Benin City. The study is interested in finding out the nature of manual and electronic cataloguing which has become the major focus in libraries, identifying the relevance of manual and electronic cataloguing, determine the differences between manual and electronic cataloguing, investigate problems that militate against manual and electronic cataloguing and solutions to the problems facing manual and electronic cataloguing. The study is restricted to librarians in Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study will be useful to all Librarians particularly those librarians in Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin, since it will reveal the state of manual and electronic cataloguing.
Secondly, this will also be useful to University Management as it will create awareness of the importance of Manual and Electronic Cataloguing in libraries. Thirdly, researcher and students will find it useful as it will enrich the library and provide them with research materials to supplement their studies. Lastly the study will add to the existing body of literature on the of study of manual and Electronic Cataloguing in Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin libraries, thereby serving as a reference point to researchers who are interested in investigating related problems.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the conduct of this research work, the researcher encountered problems which affected the quantity and quality of data collected such as respondent misplacement of questionnaires and given them new one to fill, ideally I would have love to study all University in Edo State, but because of time and financial constraints I only study Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and University of Benin, Libraries in Edo State.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Some technical term used in the course of the research need clarification through definition for the purpose of good understanding of this work. These definitions are only limited to the context of this study
Cataloguer: A cataloguer is a trained librarian whose primarily responsibility is to prepare bibliographic records of items acquired by the library, including bibliographic description, subject analysis and classification. Cataloguer no longer catalogue books only but also electronic materials like CD ROM. They also access online Catalogues, transform the available bibliographic records to machine readable formats, engage in resources sharing and networking.
Cataloguing: This is the process of creating entries for a catalog in libraries; this usually includes bibliographic description, subject analysis and assignment of Classification, notation and all activities involved in physically preparing the item for the shelf.
Manual Cataloguing: This is refered to as a hand written subject cards where information has been created by hand in library and information science.
ElectronicCataloguing: This refer to as the process of using bibliographic information to catalog materials through the use of the computer system and it usually consists of a collection of bibliographic records in a machine readable format maintained in a Computer database accessible to other attached Computer such as open access catalog(OPAC)
Librarian: A librarian is a professionally trained person who is responsible for the care and management of library and all its content which include the selection, processing and organization of materials and the delivery of information, instruction and loan service to meet the needs of its users
Library: This is refer to as an institution which is charged with the responsibility of collecting, processing and preserving information materials and such materials must be arranged in an orderly manner, so that users can retrieve them without necessarily wasting much energy and time.
Information and communication technologies (ICTS) are the application of computer and other technologies towards the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information resources in an organization, such as the library.
APPLICATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) TO MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARY INFORMATION RESOURCES IN SELECTED NIGERIAN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
ABSTRACT
Digital media have revolutionized information sources and advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and have dramatically enhanced information provision. The process of information management has become very challenging and complex. Libraries as centres for learning, teaching and research can no longer cope with information management through the use of traditional methods. To this end, the study was aimed at examining the application of ICTs to management of library information resources in selected Nigerian Federal University Libraries(NFUL) with regards to type of library information resources, type of ICT facilities available and being used, where these ICT facilities are applied in libraries operations and routine, staff ICT competence in the management of library information resources and challenges of ICT facilities utilisation in the management of library information resources in NFUL studied. Survey research method was adopted. Three hundred and thirty six (336) library technical staff from six (6) NFUL were used as sample size for the study. Questionnaire, interview and observation were the instruments used for data collection. The data collected were presented and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found among others that books, newspapers, and magazines with a mean score of .9911, .9702 and .9524 respectively, were the major types of library information resources available and frequently used in the libraries studied. Computers with a score of 323 (96%) and internet facilities with a score of292 (87%) were the most available ICT facilities available for the management of library information resources. Computerized exit doors with a score of 106 (32%) is less available ICT facilities in the libraries studied. lack of ICT policies with a score of 226 (79%) and power outage with a score of 262 (78%) were some of the major challenges facing the NFUL studied. The inferential analysis showed that there was significant difference among the NFUL studied in the type of ICT facilities available and used for the management of their library information resources and there was no significant difference among the NFUL studied staff ICT competences in the management of information resources. The study concluded that digital media have revolutionized information resources and the advances in ICT have dramatically enhanced information provision not only in the selection, ordering, acquisition, processing, storage and retrieval of library information resources but also improved staff productivity. It is expected that the NFUL can fully utilize the benefit of ICT facilities, especially, the digitization of local contents, institutional repository, functioning websites and a policy on ICT information resources management. The challenges of ICT utilization in the libraries if not properly handled will reduce their potentials to achieve the goals and objectives of their parent institutions. The study recommended among others that, the NFUL should use Open-source library information management software and DSpace content management system and document management to manage the library information resources.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1Background to the Study
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made a significant impact in every human endeavour. The impact has been rather prominent in areas of service activities such as banking, health, transportation, education and libraries. Chauhan (2004) posited that the benefits of use of ICT in services can be broadly explained in terms of economy, ease, extension (or expansion) and efficiency. Devchoudhary (2007) also observed that ICT has influenced the traditional library services; bringing out fundamental changes in the process of acquiring, processing, storing, retrieving and information delivery.
The term, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as it relates to library and as noted by deWatteville and Gilbert (2000), is the acquisition, analysis, manipulation, storage and distribution of information; and the design and provision of equipment and software for these purposes. Oketunji (2002) defines ICT as computers and other technologies that are used in the acquisition, organisation, storage, retrieval and disseminating of information in libraries. Mayer (2006) added that ICT in libraries is a term that covers the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of information in textual, numerical, pictorial and audio-visual formats. He further stated that the term is restricted to systems dependent on microelectronics; that is the technology and techniques involved in the design, development and construction of extremely small electronic circuits such as computer on a single silicon chip. Similarly, Daniel (2010) sees ICT as forms of technology that are used to create, store, transmit, share or exchange information. This broad definition of ICT includes such technologies as: radio, television, video, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), telephone (both fixed line and mobile phones), satellite systems, computer and network hardware, software and the Internet, as well as the equipment and services associated with these technologies, such as videoconferencing and electronic mail.
These different tools are able to work together to form our networked world. UNESCO (2000) posited that the inception of ICT in libraries which is the utilisation of all the technologies that enable the handling of information, facilitate different forms of communication between man and electronic systems, widened the scope of librarianship and put new roles on librarians, changed the curriculum of library schools, training now includes use of information technologies in work places thus improving their skill, efficiency and status as information workers and enable them to fulfil their roles as provider of knowledge. Ogunsola and Abayade (2005) added that librarians have begun to adopt new designations to reflect their new roles i.e. information scientists, system librarians, digital librarians and information managers etc. Kaling and Gautam (2008) observed that the common theme behind ICT application in the library is to enhance library functions and make service delivery such as acquisition, organisation, storage, retrieval, dissemination and maintenance of information resources more effective.
The library is the nerve centre of academic activities in universities. It is a depository of knowledge with varied and useful information in numerous formats. Like every other library, the core functions of university libraries are; acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serial control, interlibrary loan and management and delivery of information in both traditional and electronic format. They assist in achieving the goals and objectives of their parent institutions through the provision of current and relevant information resources that are necessary for sustaining the learning, teaching, research, other functions and activities within the institutions. In line with this, Vickus and Metsar noted that the library is a place where different social policies, theories and ideologies are met and a space to study different arts and cultures provided. In order to achieve these, the library acquires and manages resources which include material and human resources.
1.1.1 University Library Information Resources
The primary purpose of university libraries is to support the university functions of teaching, learning, research and community services in ways consistent with, and supportive of, the institution’s mission and goals. In support of the above, Chiweza (2006) added that the growth of research in all fields of human endeavour is becoming increasingly detailed and sophisticated; Also, the staff and students have realized that the library has great roles to play in the provision of the information necessary for their day to day research. The library acts as a medium of getting the latest scientific and technological information either in print or in electronic form, for accessibility and use of the library patrons. Library resources include not only traditional print-on-paper media like books, journals, newspapers, and maps, but also audio-visual materials like cinematograph film records, audiocassettes, video cassettes, projectors, microfiches, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), computer software, online databases, electronic books and e-journals and other media via the Internet. Halsey (2006) added that libraries maintain collections that include not only printed materials but also art reproductions, maps, photographs, etc. In addition to maintaining collections within library buildings, libraries often offer telecommunications links that provide users with access to information at remote sites. University libraries are often considered the most important resource centres of an academic institution. Hence, they should be sufficient in quality, depth, diversity and current to support the institution’s curriculum as posited by Oyewusi and Oyeboade (2009).
Other important resources in the library are the human beings who are the most valuable asset of any library. Even with the availability of ICT infrastructure, funds and information resources in a library, nothing gets done without man-power. Adekunle et al. (2007) noted that applying ICT in a library depends largely on human resource attitudes toward it.
1.1.2 Concept of Management in libraries
Management is that field of human behaviour in which managers plan, organise, staff, direct, and control human and financial resources in an organisation in order to achieve the desired individual and group objectives with optimum efficiency and effectiveness,( Subedi, 2007). Management has been defined as the process of getting things done through and with people. It is the planning and directing of efforts and the organizing and employing resources (both human and material) to accomplish some predetermined objectives. For the purpose of this study, management is the use of people, technology and resources to achieve the set goals and objectives of a library.
In a book entitled Foundation of Management by Robbins and David (2004) looked at management as it relates to libraries as the ability of a librarian to manipulate library staff, users and material resources in order to achieve its organisational goals and objectives. It is also the act to exploiting the resources of a library efficiently in cost- effective ways to facilitate efficiency in decision making through planning of what to select and acquire. Management of library resources includes organizing orientation, staff training, workshop and seminar for staff and patrons and making sure that the information resources shelved for users are easily accessible. More so, leading other library staff in the management of information resources, controlling the library staff to see that they perform their duties and ensure that users obliged to obey rules and regulations governing the library. Management in libraries also involves recruitment of new staff and developing the old ones. It also entails reporting what the library has achieved quarterly, biannually or annually to the management and preparing annual budget on the type of information resources the departments need based on requests made by users or funds available to the library, what they will need to meet the demand of the users and other administrative duties (Robbins, & David, 2004). In his paper, “Introduction to Modern School and College Library Management, Ekoja (2010) summarised library management as:
Working with and through people using material and other resources to achieve set goals, in other words, management is the synchronization of people and resources to achieve organisational goals. Management thus involves planning (deciding on future activities and putting in place plans for action); organisation (implementation of plans by making maximal use of required resources to achieve them); staffing (job analysis, recruitment and hiring of the appropriate staff to discharge the appropriate functions); leading/directing (determining what needs to be done in work situations and getting the people to do them); controlling/monitoring (checking progress against plans); and motivation (providing incentive to get the personnel to work effectively and efficiently).
The implication of the statement above is that no individual can work alone to achieve the organisational goals and objectives without working with other staff in the library to effectively manage the resources to meet the user’s need.
University library has to manage its resources for effective service delivery to its patrons. Iya et al. (2005) asserted that the basic tasks in managing library resources include acquisitions, processing, storing, maintenance, preservation, loaning and general administration. Other management issues include the planning of the construction of new libraries or extensions to existing ones and the development and implementation of outreach services and reading-enhancement services. Akintunde (2006) noted that having resources in the library is one thing and managing them for effective service delivery is another. Most of the libraries are managing their resources manually which takes time and energy. Faboyinde (2006) pointed out that this can be done in a short period of time through the use of internet, computers and other ICTs facilities.
1.1.3 Information and Communication Technology
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) according to Chauhan and Murphy (2004) comprises two strong technologies, one is information technology which usually deals with the hardware and software elements that allow us to access, store, organise, and manipulate the information by electronic means, and the other is communication technology, which deals with the equipment, infrastructure and software through which information can be received, accessed and disseminated, for example, phones, faxes, modems, networks, etc. Today, we all are dealing with information and it is the strength of each nation, new status of any nation can be determined by its information resources rather than economic resources. All professions the library inclusive, are dominated by ICT and now we can hear about e-governance, e-banking, e-learning, e-business, e-education, e-publishing, e-documents, e-journals, etc.
The ICT as the synergy between computers and communication devices is a composite term, which embodies three important concepts, i.e. information, communication and technology. Information means many things to many people, depending on the context. According to deWatteville and Gilbert (2000), information is any potentially useful fact, quantity or value that can be expressed uniquely with exactness. Womboh and Abba (2008) noted that information is processed data that aids decision making. It could also be visualized as a commodity that could be bought or sold. In this study, information is anything that we come in contact with directly or indirectly that adds to our knowledge and is capable of causing a human mind to change its opinion about the current state of the real world, and in a library, information is data that have been processed into form that is meaningful to the recipient/user and is of real or perceived value in current and future decision.
Communication refers to the transfer or exchange of information from person to person or from one place to another. When action produces a reaction, whether positive or negative, communication has taken place Kindersley (2003) noted that communication is the process of sharing our ideas, thoughts, and feelings understood by the people we are talking with. It is also an act of impacting news to the science and practice of transmitting information. Sanchez (2004) observed that communication is transfer of information, ideas, thoughts and messages that involves a sender, a receiver, a code and, a language that is understood by both the sender and the receiver. There must be a sender to transmit the message, and receiver to make appropriate decisions on how the rest of the exchange should continue (James, 2004). Womboh and Abba (2008) posited that it is a process involving the passing of messages through the use of symbols which all parties in the communication understand. It involves the exchange of ideas, facts, opinions, attitudes and beliefs among people. It is not a one-way affair. Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, massager and an intended recipient, even though the receiver may not be present or aware of the sender’s intent to communicate at the time of communication. Thus it can occur across vast distances in time and space. It requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. In the context of this work, communication is the process of information exchange between the user and the librarian.
Technology refers to the use of scientific knowledge to invent tools that assist human beings in their efforts to overcome environmental hazards and impediments to comfort. In this regard, technology refers to things like the computer, telephone, cell
phone, GSM handsets, television, radio, etc. Thus, ICT includes: Computer, Internet, Digital camera, Webcam, Smart Card, Scanner, E-Books, Printers, Electronic Journals, WEB-OPAC, Animation, E-Mail, CD-ROM, DVD, RFID Technologies that enhance the acquisition, analysis, manipulation, storage and distribution of information; and the design and provision of equipment and software in the library (deWatteville and Gilbert, 2000).
1.1.4 Nigerian University Libraries
The history of university libraries in Nigeria dates back to 1948 with the establishment of the University College, Ibadan, an affiliate of University College London. Development of university libraries in Nigeria cannot be separated from the evolution and growth of universities in the country. The history of library development in Nigeria dates back to pre-independence, when the University of Ibadan and its library were established in 1948. As pointed out by Aguolu (1996), since independence in 1960, there has been an unrelenting upsurge in the establishment of educational institutions at all levels, but especially at the university level. University libraries, as integral academic parts of universities, generally emerged simultaneously with their parent institutions.
At independence in 1960, the Federal Government of Nigeria wanted to bridge the literacy and administrative manpower gaps existing in various regions of the country. It elected to establish a university in each of the regions in existence at that time. This brought about the establishment of the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife, and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. These universities all established libraries to meet the needs of their students and staff. Over the years, universities and university libraries have increased in number. Federal and state governments have opened more universities, while private individuals and organisations are now licensed to operate universities. Presently (August, 2013), one hundred and twenty nine (129) universities were accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC, 2013). They comprised forty (40) federal universities, thirty nine (39) state owned universities and fifty 50 private universities spread across the six geo-political zones of the country. They have witnessed different levels of growth, manpower, infrastructural and technological changes according to the capabilities and visions of their owners. Agboola (2000) was of the opinion that the university libraries have long been recognized as the hub of their institutions in order to fulfil their mission of supporting the educational objectives of their parent bodies. Opera (2004) added that the libraries are continually acquiring and maintaining standard books, journals, databases, visual and audio-visual collections and the resultant services. Ogunsola (2004) noted that the new and emerging technologies challenge the traditional processes of teaching and learning and the way education is managed. Poor and inadequate funding of university libraries is widely reported in Nigeria to constitute the setback observed in library development and service delivery in Nigerian libraries.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, library information resources have grown in terms of size, format and variety. The digital era has seen the emergence of digital information resources in Nigerian libraries. Similarly the deregulation of the telecommunication industries has made ICT accessible and available in Nigerian libraries (Gbaje and Okojie, 2010). Many libraries especially the academic libraries use ICT to manage their resources, the degree of which is yet to be established.
The advent of ICTs has given librarians a face lift in the organisation and management of information in libraries. Digital media have revolutionized information sources and advances in ICT have dramatically changed information provision. The process of collection management has become very challenging and complex. According to Singh (2004), acquisition, processing, organisation, storage, preservation relegation and withdrawal of library resources will continue to evolve with new ICT products and services. Gone is the era in which housing a large collection that spans linear miles was a matter of great pride for a library. At that time, libraries were able to meet most user requirements with the resources they owned. Today, physical location of libraries is less important as long as the information is accessible. The recognition of the Nigerian university libraries, especially their roles in university development remains very significant. Their tasks have been simplified by the use of ICT facilities in the acquisition, organisation, management, and preservation of library resources among others. Oketunji (2002) noted that the tasks have not been fully exploited because of numerous challenges such as power failure, lack of funds, and lack of competent staff to manage the ICT facilities, which hinder the application of ICT in the different Nigerian libraries. Okiy asserted that libraries as centres for learning, teaching and research can no longer cope with information management through the use of traditional methods; where the process of acquisition, processing and organisation of information resources may take up to six months before the patrons use them.
Bozimo (2006) and Igun and Adogbeji (2007) observed that human capacity building is critical to the success of ICT use. Even where funds and resources are readily available, except there are competent and committed staff, very little can be achieved. Each university has variable setbacks which consequently constraint it from exploiting the advantages of ICT applications. Olagun (1997), Ezeani (2000), Zaid (2008) and Abidoye (2011), found in their studies that lack of adequate finance, shortage of manpower, system failure, staff attitude towards use of ICT, lack of ICT policies in the libraries are some of the constraints to the adaptation of ICT in Nigerian universities. Annan (2003) noted that the pervasiveness and importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) throughout the economy and society cannot be ignored especially were information is housed for national development, such as the libraries and the information centres, but the question is how many countries especially the developing countries have policies to guide them in implementing ICT facilities to improve the economy of the nation. In line with this, Okiy (2005) pointed out that lack of functional ICT policy in Nigerian libraries are factors undermining the use of ICTs especially the management of information resources.
The researcher observed that the objectives and goals of any library are the provision of timely, current and relevant information to the users, and they find it difficult to come and use the available information resources in the library since internet is there for them to utilise, with the current trend in the world. Why can the Nigerian library adapt the application of ICT to manage her information resources? Could it be that the Nigerian university libraries do not have the right information resources for their users? Could it be that the type of ICT facilities available for the management of library information resources are not adequate? Could it be that library operations and routines ICT facilities are applied in the management of information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries are not adequate? Could it be that the extent of ICT facilities utilisation has affected the management of information resources in Nigerian federal university libraries? Could it be that the staff ICT competences has affect the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries? Also could it be that the Nigerian federal university libraries have not overcome the challenges of ICT facilities utilisation to the management of library information resources? It is against this background that this study is designed to examine the application of information and communication technologies to management of library information resources in selected Nigerian federal university libraries.
1.3 Research Questions
This research provided answers to the following research questions:
What type of information resources are available and are being used in the Nigerian federal university libraries?
What type of ICT facilities are available and being used for the management of library information resources in Nigerian federal university libraries?
Which library operations and routines are ICT facilities applied for the management of library information resources in Nigerian federal university libraries?
To what extent have the ICT facilities utilisation affected the management of information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries?
How have the staff ICT competences affect the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries?
What are the challenges to the utilisation of ICT facilities in the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries?
1.4 Hypotheses
This study tested the following hypotheses for the research.
The hypotheses proffered are:
Ho1. There is no significant difference among the Nigerian federal university libraries in the type of ICT facilities available and being used for the management of their library information resources.
Ho2. There is no significant difference among the Nigerian federal university libraries’ staff ICT competences in the management of information resources.
Ho3. The ICT facilities utilisation in the Nigerian federal university libraries has no significant effect on the management of their library information resources.
1.5 Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of the study is to examine the application of ICTs to management of library information resources in selected Nigerian federal university libraries. The specific objectives are:
To identify the type of information resources available and being used in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
To identify the type of ICT facilities available and being used for the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
To identify areas where library operations and routine ICT facilities are applied for the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
To ascertain the extent to which ICT facilities utilisation have affected the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
To ascertain the staff ICT competences in the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
To proffer solutions to the challenges of ICT facilities utilisation in the management of library information resources in the Nigerian federal university libraries.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The essence of ICT facilities application in libraries is to improve the face of information acquisition, processing, dissemination, storage and also facilitate electronic networking, creation and accessing of remote electronic databases, putting at the disposal of libraries and library users a wide range of information services and products. However, this will only be possible if Nigerian libraries understand and apply it.
It is expected that the result of the study will encourage the university library management to provide the necessary and adequate ICT facilities that will enhance the management of library information resources in the respective university libraries.
The library staff will have an insight in the need to maximize ICT facilities utilisation for better management of their library information resources to adhere to the mission and objectives of the respective libraries.
The study provided opportunities for further study on the ICT facilities utilisation for the provision of library services in the Nigerian federal university libraries and the ICT facilities utilisation to management of human or financial resources in Nigerian federal university libraries. It contributed to the existing knowledge on the ICT facilities usage in university libraries.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study centred on the application of ICT to management of library information resources in six (6) selected Nigerian federal university libraries located at each of the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. The university libraries are: Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kaduna State (North-West); University of Ilorin Library, Kwara State (North-Central); Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State (South-East); University of Lagos Library, Lagos State (South-West); University of Uyo Library, Akwa Ibom State (South-South) and Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri, Borno State (North-East) respectively. The choice of the universities was prompted by the fact that these universities are funded by the federal government and it is expected that they are well equipped with ICT facilities and spread in the six geo-political zones which will give a better understanding of application of ICT to management of library resources in Nigerian federal university libraries. Their choice also conforms with National Universities Commission’s (NUC) required standard and beneficiaries of numerous ICT infrastructure by Federal, State, and private organisations (Oketunji, 2002).
1.8 Limitation
The most obvious limitation of this study is the inability to cover the entire Nigerian federal universities population due to their size, time and the cost implication of carrying out such a task. Secondly, the risk on the road to distribute the questionnaire was very challenging. Thirdly, it was not easy collecting the questionnaire back from the various university libraries because they spread in the six geo political zone of Nigeria. Lastly during the analysis, the researcher found that many respondent working in the same library could not differentiate between which integrated library software their library using at the time of collecting data, the researcher has to used the interview and observation to clear it.
INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS ON THE USE OF E-LIBRARY RESOURCES BY PART-TIME STUDENTS IN AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA, EDO STATE
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the influence of information literacy skills on the use of e-library resources by part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The population of the study comprised all the 3215 students of the part-time programme. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the study, questionnaire was used for data collection and random sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 200. Out of the 200 copies of questionnaire administered, 167 were retrieved and analysed using simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. Findings from the study showed that majority of respondents indicated that E-books (mean=3.44), e-journals (mean=3.43) and electronic database (mean=3.18) are available at the university library. Also, majority of the respondents indicated that they can recognize when there is need for information (mean=3.69) but can neither locate relevant information to satisfy their information needs (mean=1.78), evaluate information sources critically to determine if they are relevant to their information need (mean=1.53) nor use information in an ethical way (mean=2.07). Findings also revealed that majority of the respondents acquire information literacy skills on their own through the use of textbooks (mean=3.12) and on the internet (mean=3.53). Furthermore, it was discovered that the effects of information literacy skills on undergraduate students include ease of access (3.38), ease of use (3.31) and confidence in using e-library resources (3.35). Finally, the challenges faced by majority of the respondents include incessant electric power outage (3.10), lack of ICT and information literacy skills (2.59), limited time given to each user of the e-library (3.44). Recommendations put forward include that universities should adopt and fully implement the information literacy competency standard, that one-on-one instruction on e-library resources and their use be offered in schools.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Information explosion in the present information age has made it increasingly impossible for students in higher institutions of learning to learn everything they need to know in their field of study within a few years at school. To become independent, lifelong learners even after school, students need to be equipped with critical skills amongst which are information literacy skills. As the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy explains, “Ultimately, information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how knowledge is organized, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are people prepared for lifelong learning, because they can always find the information needed for any task or decision at hand.”
In recent years Information Literacy has become a global issue and many Information Literacy initiatives have been documented throughout the world particularly as it relates to higher education. According to the American Library Association, information literacy is the ability to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information”. Information Literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information. Information literacy skills empower people with the critical skills which should enable them to become independent lifelong learners. These skills enable people to apply their knowledge from the familiar environment to the unfamiliar and to ensure that people get a lifelong education, libraries should be made accessible and library services should be made available at all places, to all sections of the society.
Now, the information society is characterized by a constantly increasing volume of information as well as advancements in information and communication technologies and to say that information literacy is becoming increasingly important, is to state the obvious, because being able to effectively access and use library resources especially those of electronic nature requires information literacy (Arms, 2005). Libraries, according to Nwalo (2000), are primarily set up to acquire, organise and make accessible to users, needed information resources in the best possible format and within the quickest possible time. University libraries on their part have the responsibility of providing a wide range of resources to meet undergraduate students’ research needs, collect information for their assignments and term papers, prepare for examinations and broaden their general knowledge, thereby enabling them to become independent individuals and to be able to add their own quota to the society. In addition, undergraduate students may need these information resources to write articles and to collaborate with others elsewhere in the world and they can locate and access their needed e-resources in the university libraries, the reason it becomes necessary Nigerian university libraries have been shifting their preferences from print to electronic resources.
Electronic resources are increasingly available in university libraries, thereby making it possible for students to access and use current and relevant literature for studies and research. Over the last decade, a significant transformation has been noticed in collection development policies and practices. Print medium is quickly giving way to the electronic form of materials. In an electronic library (or e-library), resources are stored and made available in digital forms, and the services of the library are also made available electronically. These services are made available frequently over the Internet so that users can access electronic materials remotely. This refers to electronic services (or e-services) which most libraries are trying to embrace in the digital environment. As libraries embrace the digital environment, their most crucial role is not that of providing e-library resources, but of establishing services that facilitate access to available information.
E-library resources, as defined by Case et al. (2004), are information sources that are available and can be accessed electronically through such computer networked facilities as online library catalogues, the internet and the World Wide Web (WWW), CD-ROM databases, etcetera. The electronic resources could either be subscribed to or be digitized in-house. It is true that the library has long been perceived as a building with walls filled with books for reading, but as Issa (2003) notes, librarianship as a profession came into existence to preserve and make widely accessible the records of human experience, much of which have been captured in electronic form. The emergence of Information Technology (IT) has recreated the face of librarianship and has helped the profession to further its purpose. In fact, IT has permeated evenly into our daily activities and as Okerulu (2003) states, it has created limitless opportunities for open access to information.
These opportunities cannot be harnessed where there is lack of the requisite information literacy on the part of the users, the undergraduate students in this case, to do so. To a large extent, the use of e-library resources is influenced by the level of information literacy skills as well as other related skills possessed by the users. University undergraduates, being the major population that is been served by the university library require the necessary skills with which to use computers, the internet as well as other information-centric electronic devices. Where this is absent or inadequate, the availability of e-library resources will be of little or no impact on their academics and their use of the library. Beyond this, university undergraduates need to be encouraged by their lecturers to use e-resources for references to enable students to use and locate these resources. This may increase the number of students acquiring the necessary information retrieval skills. If students are not encouraged to use electronic resources by their lecturers, and if information skills training occur outside the curriculum, they will be less likely to make use of electronic resources for academic purposes. This calls for the university library to put in place more effective strategies in its sensitization and training of end-users.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
To excel academically, university undergraduates need information for a variety of academic-related activities and the library should have a vast collection of electronic resources that can meet any of these purposes. In the 21st century where information explosion has become more of a challenge than an advantage, information users are faced with challenge of using these resources effectively and responsibly. This is because, effective and responsible use of information requires information literacy and as such, where there is lack of the skills required to use e-library resources, the benefits cannot be harnessed. Dadzie (2008) stated that studies have shown that research effort on university undergraduates’ information literacy skills are lopsided towards lack and how to develop such skills. This has inevitably created a gap in knowledge as regards how the lack of information literacy skills and how it affects the effective use of e-library resources among undergraduate students. This study therefore aims to address this gap in knowledge.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The overall objective of this research is to study the influence of information literacy skills on the use of e-library resources by part-time undergraduate students in Ambrose Alli University. The specific objectives are to:
ascertain the e-library resources that are available at the Ambrose Alli University library
identify the level of information literacy skills possessed by part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University
investigate how part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University acquire their information literacy skills
find out the influence of part-time undergraduate students’ information literacy skills on their use of e-library resources
find out the challenges part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University encounter in accessing and using e-library resources.
1.4 Research Questions
What are the e-library resources that are available at the Ambrose Alli University library?
What is the level of information literacy skills possessed by part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University?
How do part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University acquire their information literacy skills?
What are the effects of part-time undergraduate students’ information literacy skills on their use of e-library resources?
To identify the challenges part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University encounter in accessing and using e-library resources?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is limited to part-time undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. This study focuses on studying the influence of information literacy skills on the use of e-library resources by part-time university undergraduate students.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Information literacy is a set of skills required by a person to find, retrieve, analyze and use information. Information literacy is directly linked with lifelong learning, critical thinking, and learning to learn concepts of education. Information literate individuals improve the society’s quality of life in general and academically. Information literacy skills are of prime importance in order to achieve every body’s academic goals. Truly information literacy is the foundation of a literate society.
This study will be of benefit to library management, education policy makers, researchers as well as students. For library management, this study will serve as an eye-opener towards the need to provide up-to-date user education and information literacy skills training and development to students especially in the use of electronic resources as this will in the long run positively affect their use of the library’s electronic resources. Education policy makers will find the recommendations from the present study useful in the area of curriculum development towards ensuring that students are encouraged to develop information literacy skills that will be of benefit to them even beyond school. For researchers, this study will serve as a reference point for researchers carrying out similar or related research. Finally, this study will be of importance to students by highlighting in clear terms, the need for them to acquire and develop information literacy skill so as to have access to and make judicious use of the library’s electronic resources for their own benefit.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
The problem of time constraints was a challenge as the time used to undertake the study was limited. As a result of other academic activities, limited time was made available for the study. One other form of limitation was in the area of finance as the research required substantial amount of funds to see it through to the end especially in the aspects of production of questionnaires to cover a substantial number of prospective respondents and for mobility during the period and for the purpose of the research.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Some technical terms used in the course of this research need clarification through definition for the purpose of good understanding of this work. These definitions are only limited to the context of this study.
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Information Literacy: The ability of being able to identify information sources, access information, evaluate it, and use it effectively and efficiently.
Information Literacy Skills: The set of skills required to identify information sources, access information, evaluate it, and use it effectively, efficiently, and ethically.
E-Library: The electronic or online library where one can have access to books, journals, novels, articles, or any other information in electronic format.
E-Library Resources: A collection of information-bearing resources kin organized electronic form, available
Undergraduate Student: A university student who has not yet obtained a first degree.
INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF CATALOGUERS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN EDO AND DELTA STATE
ABSTRACT
This study surveyed the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in Edo and Delta State libraries. A descriptive survey design research method was adopted and the questionnaires were used in obtaining data. The total population for the study was 52 cataloguers from five university libraries in Edo and Delta states. Nine research questions were raised and nine hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analyzed through the use of simple percentages to answer the research questions and t-test statistical method of significant difference to test the hypotheses. Among the findings of the study are that cataloguers irrespective of sex difference need information for; knowledge, research, professional development, to catalogue/classify effectively and for administration in this order. It was revealed from the study that female cataloguers are more persistence in information seeking than their male counterpart. Their major media of information search are; the university main library, communication with colleagues/others and mass media. It was found that cataloguers irrespective of their sex difference occasionally or rarely attend seminars, conferences and workshops. They both expressed satisfaction from media consulted in the process of searching for information with male expressing more satisfaction. Both sexes agreed to use internet website such as Google.com, Library of congress and Webdewey with male showing slight dominance in usage in the process of searching for information. They also agreed that they adopt various search strategies such as searching, consulting and selecting while searching for information. They acquired their search skills through; friends/colleagues, reading ICT manual/materials from the library, ICT training program and half of them admitted that they acquire theirs by trial and error. Both sexes agreed that they derived benefits such as increased work output, access to current information and professional development from information sought and used. The major constraints encountered by them in the process of seeking for information are; electricity power outage, slow internet response, inadequate ICT facilities in the library and lack of time. The nine hypotheses raised in the study were accepted. The study recommends that libraries should be upgraded with adequate ICT facilities to enhance efficient and effective services. There should be a policy mandating cataloguers to attend seminars, conferences and workshops as their knowledge and skill can be upgraded.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Information is so pervasive and omnibus that there is hardly any endeavor in which it is not important component. It is an analyzed or processed data that is meaningful for decision making (Aina, 2004). According to Johanessen and Kolverid (1994) information may be defined as data we can perceive, comprehend, compile and turn into knowledge. Scaunder’s (2004) posit that information in itself is not knowledge, it provides essential raw material which in due course leads to knowledge. The exchange of information is an important factor in all phase of innovation process (Roger, 1983). This accounts for why information is being sought by every group or individual. According to Reese and Aldrich (1993) not all kinds of information are important but that sought by any group must be valuable in the sense that it works.
Agosto (2001) presented a model of gender specific information behavior. The use of information from web resources by female has been marked by the following principles; collaboration, social networking, flexibility and movement, inclusion into community, contextually and personal engagement. In the view of Sullivan, Boigman, and Wippern (1990) women spent less time on preparation of information seeking and made more mistakes in databases languages. They also noted women different attitude with regard to relevant judgment. Women judge a larger amount of information as relevant than men did. They further noted that when communicating with information system women’s behavior was more interactive. According to Higgins and Hawamdeh (2001) girls used judgement based on intuition and insight. They are more patient when reading information from the screen and preferred work in group. While the performance of boys was better in browsing and use of key words, they preferred individual work. They concluded by noting that with girls the information need was conceptualized as a social event as opposed to individualistic approach of boys. In the opinion of Johannessen and Kolverid (1994) women entrepreneur appear to utilize personal and close social contact while men do not to the same extent.
In support of this, Steinerova and Susol (2005) noted that men confirmed preference of individual work and independent information seeking more frequently than women. Men apply straightforward access to information resources while women use librarian help more frequently. They noted that no significant difference have been found as for the increase of problem understanding or interest in the process of seeking information. The use of library catalogues and reference works has been confirmed more strongly by women. In the same vein, women indicated wider use of bibliographies and indexes. Women are more patient in information seeking while with men the increasing use of fast retrieval tools has been noted for example higher percentage of men (58.3%) agrees that the information confirmed their prior knowledge, compared to 41.7% of women (Steinerova and Susol, 2005). They emphasize that higher percentage of men has also confirmed that information seeking took them more time than they expected. However, women perceived lack of time more intensely (for example 30% of women and 20% of men). Olorunsola and Ibegbulam (2003) noted that female cited the daily routine of domestic duties and extra demands on time and emotional strain that accompanies caring responsibilities.
Enochsson (2005) noted that the new net generation difference between men and women in the use of the internet is diminishing. Susol (2005) supported this assertion by stating that women use the internet slightly less than men, they show higher proportion of rare use and non use of electronic resources and a lower proportion of frequent use. However, he emphasize that the sociocultural background of gender difference still leaves women with more computer anxiety of feeling of lower self efficacy. In the opinion of Rose and Fischer, (1995) Africa societies are male biased.
According to Anwar, Al-Ansari and Abdullah (2004) information need, seeking and use are areas of fundamental concern to library and information science professionals. Information need is often understood in information science as evolving from vague awareness of something missing and culminating in locating information that contributes to understanding and meaning (Kuhithau, 1996). He further emphasizes that information need triggers information seeking, which is caused by uncertainty due to lack of understanding, gap in meaning or limited constructs. Talja (1992) noted that information needs arise when an individual found himself or herself in problem situation, when he or she can no longer manage the knowledge that he or she possesses. This view was collaborated by Hayden (2005) when he stated that information seeking is triggered when someone observed that his or her current state of knowledge is less than what is needed to deal with some emerging issues or problems.
Furthermore, Solomon (1994) avers that we as individuals and groups repeatedly find ourselves in situation where information is needed gathered, sought, organized, retrieved, processed, evaluated and used. Information seeking behavior refers to the way people search for and utilizes information (Faire-Wessel, 1990). Marchionini (1995) asserted that individuals’ information seeking behavior involves active and purposeful information seeking in order to complete diverse range of professionals problems.
Callison (1997) noted that the enormous task set before the students in meeting their academic pursuit creates the responsibilities for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance his/her education goals. This can be attributed to cataloguers as the enormous task set before them in coordinating cataloguing activities create the need for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance their professional goals. Talja (1992) posit that individuals need information not just to tackle problems that arise in the course of performing their duties but also for professional development. Information needs of the cataloguer provide the basis for system development, bibliometrics, user education, readability of text, retrieval design and evaluation of information materials (Martins and Metcaife, 2001). In the view of Reese and Aldrich (1993) information that businesses as well as informal entrepreneurs need is rare, valuable and inimitable. They further stress that the information need of these group is peculiar to their line of operation in order to gain competitive advantage. In likewise manner, catalogues seek information that relates to their job operations in order to increase their work output.
However, due to the nature of the cataloguers work, very few of them aspire to this role (Bello and Thompson, 2003). They emphasize that cataloguers rarely attend conference, workshops seminars where they can get information on how to improve their work situations, facilitate the exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills. This will strengthen their knowledge and abilities to provide quality-cataloguing services. In the view of Macgregor (2007) as cited by Welsh and Robertson (2007) I can’t remember if I once had a preconceived idea of what it would be like to be a cataloguer and what the general image of cataloguer is. She further emphasizes that cataloguers feel obsessed and consider themselves as not relevant as all the information in the world are now available in the internet. She also noted that technological development bring their own challenges and opportunities for expanding skills into metadata areas. Whether it is cataloguing visual resources (which can frequently change format or location or disappear altogether) or enabling access to a digitized version of a century old print items. This explains why they show unseriousness in information seeking to improve the quality of their services. Reddy (1972) posited that why would cataloguers not get excited about their work, if they know they were contributing to something bigger than themselves.
Cataloguers have special requirement to constantly retool and update by seeking information on the use of recent technology in order to affect the issues that arise while performing their work (Bello and Thompson, 2003). According to Abel (2004) frequency of the use of internet in 1998-2000 had greatly increased. There is increasing number of electronic source which librarian can benefits from in the course of searching for information (Marinoni etal, 2002). In the opinion of Martin and Metcalfe (2001) the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its application to cataloguing process by cataloguers has not only improved professional training of the cataloguer but also improved their information seeking skill as well their (ICT) skills. The development of second generation online catalog (OPAC) has launched many search and display features that are beginning to empower cataloguers to manipulate OPAC to meet their needs and that of the patron (Lambardo and Candic, 2000). Welsh and Robertson noted that the internet has raised awareness of search strategies and expectation about the easy retrieval of information so cataloguers have to meet, match and exceed these expectations.
According to Alzofon and Van Pulis (1984) highest success rate of using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) was noticed among cataloguers and users who had formal training and experience in search skills. Ikoja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) in their study on the information seeking behavior of the informal sector entrepreneur opined that there is the need to improve entrepreneur information search skills to increase productivity. They further emphasize that entrepreneurs acquire skills through experience, although some gain theirs through formal training and apprenticeship. Bello and Thompson (2003) in their survey on recruitment of cataloguers that are experience in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for information seeking, found that their wealth of experience was brought to bear on the job development. Individual personal information infrastructure is also developed during the information seeking process, when knowledge and skills are gained to adapt to different situations and problems (Xie, 2000).
In the view of Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) information seeking behavior of faculty member in Bangkok universities are expressed in various form, from reading printed materials to research experimentation. They further stress that faculty members actively seek current information source such as the electronic media, encyclopedias, journals etc. Wilson (2000) posited that in the course of seeking information, the individual may interact with manual information source (such as the library, newspaper, journals) or with computer based source such as the web. According to Anwar etal (2004) information source of Journalist in Kuwaiti are expressed in formal and informal source, the informal source are where information is received directly from friends and colleagues and from the formal source otherwise known as the structured source respectively. In their research, they observed that respondents derived maximum satisfaction from the information obtained from formal source such as the library, conferences, government publication etc than the informal source. In the opinion of Marcella and Baxter (1999) information source of United Kingdom citizens comprise of the public libraries, information centers, family and friends, government agencies, professional association etc they observed that majority of the respondents agreed that they derived satisfaction from informal source while minority preferred information from printed media such as the library, information center etc. Bello and Thompson (2003) aver that cataloguing skills in library and information science (LIS) can only advance through continuing professional development, through a process of training and retraining which can be achieved through conferences, workshops and seminar attendance. These contribute to the effectiveness of an individual and to the achievement of personal and professional goals (Rockman, 1989).
However, Bello and Thompson (2003) noted that cataloguers will derived a lot of benefits from attending conferences, seminars and workshops. The benefits include exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills and strengthening of the cataloguers knowledge and abilities to provide quality cataloguing services. In the view of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) benefits of information seeking behavior of entrepreneurs is to create access to new and better method of resolving business pitfalls, increase competitive advantage and productivity. SABINET (1983) noted that information sought and used by information professional will improve their knowledge on how to organized, disseminate, sharing of resources and evaluation of knowledge asset. It also improves their skills and competence on how to develop information system such as database and other library practices.
Despite the benefits that are accrue to the information seeking behavior of cataloguers, they are faced with a lot of constraint. According to Wilson (1996) individual encounter problems in the process of seeking information. This view was supported by Taylor (1999) when he noted that cataloguers are faced with some constraint while interacting with information source, this may be due to their inability to locate bibliographic information of an information materials. According to Adimorah (2003) factors that militate against the information seeking behavior of rural dwellers include; distance, lack of accessibility, finance and lack of awareness. In the same vein, Anwar etal (2004) noted that Journalist in Kuwaiti are confronted with the following problems; lack of available time, lack of electronic library, lack of training in information use skills, difficulty in assessing international information source, information explosion etc. In the opinion of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) entrepreneurs encounter the following problems while seeking information; lack of time to look for information, lack of knowledge where to get information, language barrier, lack of information facilities etc.
There have been several researches on information seeking behavior virtually in all fields of endeavor but not much have been written on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguing. In related topics, Anwar etal (2004) studied the information seeking behavior of journalist in Kuwaiti, Fidzani (1999) carried out a research on the information needs and seeking behavior of graduate students at the university of Botswana, Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) studied information seeking behavior of the information sector entrepreneur in Uganda, Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) researched on information seeking behavior of faculty members of Rajabhat universities in Bangkok. Research has also be carried out on the information seeking behavior of arts scholars in Sri Lankan universities (Ileperuwa, 2002). Johannessen and Kolvereid (1994) conducted a study on information search behavior during business gestation of entrepreneur. Marcella and Baxter (1999) did a study on the information needs and information seeking behavior of United Kingdom citizens. Kakai etal (2002) studied the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students of Makerere University, Uganda. Looking at all these studies, it is discovered that nothing has been written on information needs and seeking behavior of the cataloguer. This study therefore attempt to look at cataloguers’ information search behavior, what kind of information do they seek for and how do they go about the search?
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Information without doubt is key in this present knowledge age. Despite the obvious importance of information many professional carry out their jobs with limited information required for maximum performance. Cataloguers are not left out in this scenario. So most cataloguers are compelled to stick to the status quo.
Also it is painful to note that there is dearth of cataloguers in many academic libraries. This in most cases is associated with phobia for cataloguing and lack of necessary information to ease cataloguing processes. This negative attitude has gravely affected the productivity and service delivery of cataloguers in universities libraries. It is pertinent to ask, why is it so difficult for cataloguers to perform their task with great competency and what is the information they need to perform their task adequately?
It is against this background that this study is been carried out to unravel the information seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States.
1.3 Research Questions
The following research questions are formulated to tackle the problem in this study.
What are the information needs of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the attitudes of male and female cataloguers towards information seeking in these libraries?
What are the information sources of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How satisfied are male and female cataloguers with information source consulted in these libraries?
How does information and communication technology enhance male and female cataloguers information search in these libraries
What are the information seeking strategies of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How do male and female cataloguers acquire their information search skill in these libraries?
What are the benefits of information seeking to male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the problems encountered by both male and female cataloguers when seeking for information in these libraries?
1.4 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses are formulated to guide the study.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information needs
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
There is no significant difference in the information source consulted by both male and female cataloguers
There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction derived from information sources consulted by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers use of information and communication technology for information seeking.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information seeking strategies.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers acquisition means of information search skills.
There is no significant difference between the benefits derived from information sought by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference in the problems encountered by male and female cataloguers while seeking for information.
1.5 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. Specifically, the study wish to;
determine the information needs of male and female cataloguers
examine male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
ascertain the information source consulted by male and female cataloguers
ascertain the level of satisfaction derived from information source consulted by male and female cataloguers.
investigate the extent male and female cataloguers use information and communication technology (ICT) for information seeking.
determine the information seeking strategies of both male and female cataloguer.
ascertain the acquisition means of information seeking skills of male and female cataloguers.
determine the benefits of the information sought by both male and female cataloguers.
determine the problems that both male and female cataloguers encounter while seeking information.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be useful to library staff, researchers and students as it will provide literature in this respect. It will also help library management to set in motion a conducive atmosphere for cataloguers to thrive as regard information seeking so as to increase their efficiency and productivity. In a nutshell, the findings will challenge cataloguers on the need to use modern technology to search for information and the various strategies involved.
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study focuses on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. The study will investigate gender difference on the; information needs of cataloguers, attitude of the cataloguers towards information seeking, information source consulted and level of satisfaction derived from the information source consulted, extent cataloguers use information and communication technology for information search, cataloguers information seeking strategies, benefits as well as the problems militating against information seeking behavior of cataloguers. The universities in Edo and Delta State comprise of the following; University of Benin, Benin (Federal), Benson Idahosa University, Benin (Private), Novena University, Amai (Private), Igbinedion University, Okada (Private), Delta State University, Abraka (State) and Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma (State).
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Cataloguer: These are professional who are responsible for the organization and processing information materials for easy and quick access and retrieval.
Information Need: This can be defined as a situation that arises when a cataloguer encounters a work related problem that can be resolved through some information.
Information Behavior: This is a unique set of complex activities perform by human in seeking for information (Arnold, 1978). It’s an innate motivational state which involves purposive seeking for information.
Information Seeking Behavior: This is a process in which an individual goes about looking for relevant and pertinent information. It is the complementary process to information need.
Information Seeking Strategies: These are tactics used to seek information or to work through a stage of search process (Kuhithau, 1996).
Information Use: It is the application of information to problem situation. It is also the effective utilization of information need.
Information Sources: According to Adomi (2006) information sources are information bearing materials which enables cataloguers to meet their information needs.
Information Literacy: This is the ability to effectively access and evaluate information for a given need (Branik, 1985).
AVAILABILITY AND USE OF SERIALS COLLECTIONS BY STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNICS AUCHI AND DELTA STATE POLYTECHNICS OGHARA)
ABSTRACT
This research work investigated availability and use of serial collections by students in Federal Polytechnic Auchi and Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. The result of the findings revealed that the serial collections are available in the library. Journals 67(74.4%), newsletter 73(81.1%), magazine 85(94.4%), CD-ROM 90(100%), and yearbook directories 74(82.2%), are most use by respondents. The findings also revealed that the purpose of respondents (students) using serial collections is for examination 90(100%), research 75(83.3%), assignment 61(67.8%), and to get current information 83(92.2%). It was then noted that the challenges faced by students while using serial collections are lack of borrowing facilities in the serial section 80(88.9%), poor attitude of the staff to students 81(90%), inadequate reading facilities in the serial section 90(100%), and power failure/interruption 83(92.2%). In the light of the findings from this study, the researcher concluded that a large percentage of the population were very aware of serials like newspapers, journals and magazines available and makes use of these serials adequately. It was therefore recommended that library management should expedite action on the online data entry because when it is fully accomplished, it will facilitate quick and easy information access in the serials library.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of The Study
The basic purpose of an academic library is to provide sufficient information for making informed decisions by users. Academic libraries normally provide for educational needs of students, to support the teaching staff in their teaching role and provide for research activities of both the students and teaching staff. The academic library collections must reflect the subject interests of the institutions. It must also be adequate in terms of quality, quantity and variety. The library does this through useful selection and acquisition of materials for teaching learning and research; process and organization of the materials for easy retrieval: and dissemination of information about the collections and encourages their active exploitation.
Library is an educational tool, which constitutes important components in the infrastructure of knowledge in institution research and teaching, particularly to make information accessible to the students. Library’s operations are divided into various sections, which include; Reference section, Technical section, and Serials section etc. The importance of serial collections to students in institution of higher learning such as the polytechnic cannot be overemphasized particularly in academic and university libraries. This is so, because the library resources provide the users with up-to-date information resources that can assist them in their academic pursuit especially in research and learning.
Meanwhile, serials have historically and presently focused on the provision of current or up-to-date information in general or specific fields of study, this is one of the reasons why according to Woodward (2009) it constitutes a major part of the collection of academic libraries and also accounts for a large sum of the library expenditure, the academic library inclusive. The academic library is an integral part of tertiary institutions and accounts for majority of the information material holdings of a tertiary institution, serving all and sundry especially staff and students of a tertiary institution. To further underline the importance of the academic library to a tertiary institution, Kwampong (2000) stated that the academic library is the heart and aorta of any academic institution, he went further to state that the health and effectiveness of any academic institution depends on the state of health of the library in that academic institution. The academic library therefore, cannot claim to be the determining factor for the state of excellence of its parent body i.e. the institution where it is situated, if it cannot provide the immediate needs of individuals in that institution, which it can only do through the provision of information materials. Immediate needs as the name implies refers to current information gaps that individuals have identified during the course of their activities on a specific field of study, therefore, the academic library is obligated to be current in its holdings so as to fill immediate information gaps as they are discovered. If immediate needs are not meet, the academic library is considered to be inert and moribund which results in an inert and moribund academic institution and automatically low standard of excellence for patrons the academic library serves especially undergraduates.
Apart from books, serials form a vital part of the academic library’s collection for meeting the immediate needs of patrons in its community especially undergraduates for the purpose of this study. Academic libraries acquire, process and make serials available to its patrons who are usually undergraduates through continuous subscription. Serial are usually treated separately in libraries i.e. they are acquired, processed and disseminated separately due to rate of subscription and peculiarity of its nature. The unit responsible for serials management is the serials unit, which was described by Oni (2004) as the unit responsible for serials operations. Osborn (2000) defined serials as a printed work that appears regularly, founded with the expectation of unlimited duration, which is not predominantly concerned with events of the day or else it pays attention only to the latest development in a special field. In addition to this, Harold (2007) describes serials as any publication bearing either chronological or numerical designations issued in successive parts, appearing at intervals and as a rule, intended to be continued indefinitely. The definitions above not only describe serials literature but also underlay the major importance of serials: providing current information. This importance is very essential to the relevance of the academic library to its immediate community and the general population. Kinds of serials include journals, newspapers, newsletters, proceedings, transactions of societies and other periodicals like abstracts and indexes. These types of serials vary in content and interval of appearance. Daily Newspapers constitute the highest rate of issues because of its daily publications, but it doesn’t provide information on specific fields of study, it takes a little of everything in one issue. Unlike journals, that will not be published daily but focuses on the specifics in a field of study. Serials are usually in print formats but with the advent of information technology, serials are not computerized appearing in e-formats.
A brief look at the origin of serials show that, according to Osborn (2000), serials can be traced back to the period when annals where written on the tombs of Egyptian kings during the first dynasty. This is no surprise as the growth of papyrus started along the Nile River in Egypt, papyrus being a paper-like material was a major landmark in the history of writing and ultimately the beginning of serials. As time evolved, other notable inventions such as the moveable types by Johannes Gutenberg, typewriters, and of course computers have facilitated the development and use of serials up to the 2000s when serials and the internet were compliments of one another. Undergraduate students are an integral part of the university community. They form the “receiving” members of the university community, while the lecturers and other staff form the “giving” members of the university community. This makes learning the most important issue. A brief look at the origin of serials show that, according to Osborn (2000), serials can be traced back to the period when annals where written on the tombs of Egyptian kings during the first dynasty. This is no surprise as the growth of papyrus started along the Nile River in Egypt, papyrus being a paper-like material was a major landmark in the history of writing and ultimately the beginning of serials. As time evolved, other notable inventions such as the moveable types by Johannes Gutenberg, typewriters, and of course computers have facilitated the development and use of serials up to the 2000s when serials and the internet were compliments of one another. Undergraduate students are an integral part of the university community. They form the “receiving” members of the university community, while the lecturers and other staff form the “giving” members of the university community. This makes learning the most important issue for undergraduates. As the “receiving” group, undergraduates are expected to use information usually based on specific courses of study for assignments, reports, presentations, seminars, and final year projects, this is encouraged and expected of the undergraduate for excellent performance. The academic library located in the university should be open to undergraduates for the use of its serials, as serials are vital information materials providing the latest in a field of study and suiting the needs of the learning group, which will always have immediate needs. This is supported by Fayose (2005) when he stated that serials are very useful because they are the most up-to-date materials in the library and that articles in serials are written by experts in the field, making them reliable and precise. Although, even with the enormous benefits of serials to the academic performance of undergraduates, it seems undergraduates do not recognize this, or they ignore the benefits they can derive from the use of serials and some cases the few undergraduates who are interested in the use of serials are denied access, a brief look at some findings show this.
The explosion of knowledge and publications of all kinds, conventional or non-conventional, means the universe of materials has grown much larger. One very important set of library materials in the library is serials. A serial is a publication in any medium issued in successive parts and intended to be continued indefinitely. This definition includes periodicals, newspapers, annuals (reports, yearbooks directories, etc., journals, and memoirs proceedings, transactions of societies, monographic series, and unnumbered series. The Anglo American Cataloguing Rules (1988) define serial as a ‘continuing resource issued in a succession of discrete parts usually bearing numbering that has no predetermined conclusion for example, print and electronics journal, magazines, continuing directories, annual reports, newspapers and monographic serves’.
This is why authors such as Attama and Ezema (2002) defined serials as publications issued in successive parts, appearing at intervals bearing numerical or chronological designations and intended to continued indefinitely. The term thus embraces such materials as periodicals, magazines, annuals which include reports, yearbooks, directories, proceedings, and transactions etc. Serials formed the backbone of research collections as a result academic libraries cannot do without it because of the usefulness to researchers, scholars, and investigators. They see serial collections as sine qua non to the development of research activities in academic environment.
The Library serial collection/material was established to serve the Polytechnic libraries. It coordinates the collections and services of the polytechnic Library. The administration of the Library System is centralized under the polytechnic Librarian. The last years have been a period of rapid growth, with the printed book collection now well stocked. The Library stocks other items as well as current periodical titles. The virtual Library will be available to the polytechnic students and staff online 24/7 via the Internet, regardless of the user’s physical location.
Serials are essential tool of teaching and research in academic endeavor and remain a potential tool for dissemination of knowledge .It is in support of this that Attama and Ezema (2002) stated the importance of serials in academic environment particularly for undergraduate students, which include the followings:
Serial provide up –to -date information on any issue than textbooks.
It supplies scientific and discoveries and results of latest findings.
It makes researchers frequent and current in the frontiers of knowledge.
It provides a first hand and detailed information on a particular subject and also it provides empirical evidence on issue being treated.
According to Okiy (2008) the serials constitute an important part of the resources of an academic library because, they provide the latest information on research and current affairs. For this reason, it is necessary for the serials division to be as complete in its holdings as possible in order to support the teaching, learning, recreations and research programmes of the University. The serials collection is made up of both current and backsets of periodicals for lecturers and students to access within the library but cannot be borrowed for home reading. Ogbomo (2000) defines serials as “a publication issued in successive parts, usually at regular intervals and as a rule, intended to be continued indefinitely”. Serials include journals, magazines, bulletins and newsletters, proceedings learned societies and associations etc. they may be published daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly etc the search for information on any subject in an academic library must include the examination of serial publication because they current information about new ideas or discoveries and keep researchers abreast of growth of knowledge in their areas of investigation.
In the selection and acquisition of materials, the serials librarian and collection development librarian work closely with the university librarian. However, the libraries welcome recommendations from patrons and faculty lecturers. Broadus (2001) asserts that Selection must be given due importance because funds are always limited, the available money should be spent wisely to meet the needs of users towards fulfilling the objectives of supporting, teaching, learning and research needs of the University. The serial Liberian should be able to satisfy the patrons by selecting and acquiring their immediate and anticipated needs. Collection management involves managing the use of library collection, its storage, its organisation and making it accessible to users. The process of collection management has become very challenging and complex. As observed by Friend (2000), basic collection management activities include analysis of user needs, inter and intra-library communication, policy development, budgeting and allocation of resources, contract negotiations, macro-evaluations of collection, micro-evaluation for selection, relegation, preservation or withdrawal of stock and system evaluation. So this study intend to find out the availability and use of serial resources by students in tertiary institutions.
Historical Background Of Federal Polytechnic Auchi
Federal Polytechnic Library, Auchi, Edo State is a federal polytechnic library and was established in 1973 by the federal government of Nigeria as a result of federal government efforts to produced technicians, craftsmen, middle and skilled manpower that will help to bring about nation’s economy. The extent law establishing it assigns to the institution the task of producing well trained and highly skilled middle level manpower for the national economy in the areas of engineering technology, science environmental studies, Management studies and Art & Design. The permanent site of the Library is opposite the famous Imo lecture Hall (School of Business). The current building was completed in the year 2000 and commenced services to public in 2001. The Federal Polytechnic Auchi Library has different sections which include: the technical section (acquisition, classifying and cataloguing) circulation section, Administration leaders service, serial section and the andio-visual section. It also has the reprographic section which has different machines for the reproduction of Library materials. The library users the library of congress classification scheme which has mixed notation. The Polytechnic Library stores, a collection of materials relevant to student of the institution teaching and non-teaching staff and people living around Auchi who are carrying out research. Presently, the Library has about 38 staffs.
Delta State Polytechnic Oghara and Federal Polytechnic Auchi libraries are situated at different strategies places in the institutions. Their collection cut-across print and non-print media. They houses information materials in different fields of study namely: engineering, agriculture, computer and information technology, Business Administration etc. These libraries are divided into various units namely collection development unit, technical unit, circulation unit, reference unit, serial unit and audiovisual unit (ICT unit). These units provides different services ranging from current awareness services, research and bibliographic services, bindery services, registration of users, charging and discharging services, reference services all are being set up to meet the information needs of the users etc.
Historical Background Of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara
Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara was established through a bill that was signed into law by Governor James Onanefe Ibori in November 2002. This is the result of a partnership between the Delta State Ministry of Education and Westminster University, London. The partnership gave birth to the Delta State Higher Education Project (DSHEP). Located in the agricultural town of Otefe in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara is a manifestation of an excellently conceptualized and articulated vision delivered for the benefit of humanity for entrepreneurial acquisition and advancement. The motto of technology for entrepreneurship underscores the fact of talent and technology skills advancement as tool for critical wealth creation. It therefore explains the role of entrepreneurial and technological skills in creating the abilities, courage, capabilities and managerial competences necessary for economic growth and wealth creation within and beyond Delta State. The mandate of the Polytechnic is to train and empower graduates who will be highly successful professionals armed with all the sufficient skills that are critical to the work place of the 21st century. The aim is to achieve the
Status of excellence in computing and information technology (I.T)
Qualitative training in specific areas of technology and entrepreneurship as a way of providing opportunity for students to take advantage of their inherent talent and theoretical skills to generate needed entrepreneurial ventures and wealth.
Acquisition of entrepreneurship training and technology education, which forms the bedrock for industrialization, growth, development and wealth creation. This in turn will help all Nigerians and the global communities as students create industries and jobs associated with their skills.
The Government of Delta State reached an understanding with the University of Westminster, London to assist in management and technical support for the institutions. The institutions are centres of excellence in Agriculture, Computing and Information Technology, Fashion Design and Arts and Sports. Besides their primary areas of specialization, all students are trained in Computing and Information Technology as well as business and entrepreneurship.
The Otefe-Oghara polytechnic has school that offer National Diplomas in Business Studies (Accountancy, Banking and Finance and Business Administration), Computing and I.T (Computer Science and Statistics) and Engineering (Computer Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering). It also has a School of Preliminary Studies that introduces all students to basic Business Studies and Science Technology.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Students in the polytechnic community are mainly concerned with one major pre-occupation: learning. Learning in tertiary institutions therefore, goes beyond class lectures or the traditional lecturer-student interaction in class. Students are expected to conduct research for immediate needs such as continuous assignment and assessment test, further reading apart from class notes, presentations and ultimately final year projects which serials are capable of providing information for. However, these students have unlimited access to serials in the academic libraries and even the internet. Researchers have shown that high price of subscription to serials both print and online, budget cuts by polytechnic management, lack of internet access, inadequate basic search skills, ignorance and so on are the major challenges. These challenges in turn bounce back on the students in Nigeria and this seems to be affecting academic performance and overall knowledge standard, this as well escalates to affect the educational standard of the entire nation. The role of academic libraries, open access journals and other sources for current serials is to provide students with immediate information needs. However, there appears to be lack of access to these serials or restriction to their use.
Moreso, in developed countries, use of serial library resources is easy because of it availability nature, but in developing countries like Nigeria, available literature and the researcher’s personal experience have shown a low use of serial resources in library by the students because of the observed inadequacies and lack of knowledge of their availability by the students. It is against this background that this study investigates the availability and use of serials library resources by students in the two polytechnic (Delta State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State).
1.3 Objectives of the Study
Objectives of the study are to:
Identify the types of serial collections available in polytechnic
To find out the extent at which polytechnic students make use of serial collections
Examine the purpose for the use of serial collections by polytechnic students
Identify the challenges facing the use of serial collections by polytechnic students
Find out probable solutions to the challenges facing the use of serial collections by polytechnic students
1.4 Research Questions
What are the types of serial collections available for students in polytechnics?
To what extent do polytechnic students use serial collection?
For what purpose do polytechnic students use serial collections?
What are the challenges facing the use of serial collections by polytechnic students?
What are the solutions to the challenges facing the use of serial collections by polytechnic students?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study is essential because it is hoped to provide an insight into availability and use of serial library resources by students in Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara. The study would reveal the effect of non-availability and low usage of serial library resources by students. The recommendations that may be given would be important to our government policy makers at the federal, state and local state levels.
The study will provide lecturers, school authorities and government the dangers and damage of non-availability of serial library resources and it effect on the academic performance or achievement of students. Finally, it shall serve as a veritable source of information on issues of serials library resources, also, school authorities would find the finding of this study useful. They could use them to detect and prevent such symptoms that are likely to head students’ low academic performance in the selected tertiary institutions
1.6 Scope Of The Study
This study is restricted to the availability and use of serial resources by students in Federal Polytechnic Auchi and Delta State polytechnic Oghara Libraries only.
1.7 Limitation Of The Study
The project work of this kind cannot come up without some limitations. The major limitations of the study is finance, limited time at researcher’s disposal, and because of these limitations, this study was only able to select two polytechnics in Edo State. Despite these limitations, due care was taken not to sacrifice quality and in-depth of this study on the iota of time, data and money.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Below is the definition of the contextual use of terms in the study:
Library: A Library is a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.
Serial: A publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designation and intended to be continued indefinitely.
Serial Collections: This is the action or process of collecting a publication that is issued in successive parts. Examples are periodicals, magazines, journals, newspapers, annual reports, and series. Journal and periodical are terms also used to describe such publications.
Use: An act that brings something into services for a particular purpose.
Availability: This is the quality of being able to be used or obtained.
Periodicals: Periodicals are form of magazines or newspaper published at regular intervals.
Virtual Library: A Virtual Library is a collection of resources available on one or more computer systems, where a single interface or entry point to the collections is provided
Internet: The internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.
A SURVEY OF THE USE OF SMARTPHONE BY UNDERGRADUATES IN FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES IN AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA
ABSTRACT
Smartphone devices are potential avenues for reviewing instructional materials, an invaluable resource for immediate feedback and other education purposes. This study investigated a survey of the use of Smartphone by Undergraduates in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used. From a population of 4304 medical students, a sample of 230 students was drawn using accidental sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as data collection instrument and data collected was analyzed using frequency count, percentage and mean statistics. The study revealed high level of awareness and use of smartphones by medical students for their academic works. Result also shows smartphones has made tremendous impact on their medical education most especially with High Speed Browsing, Saves time and money going to cybercafé/college library, Easy and fast internet access. High risk of radiation when using smartphone, Operational difficulties, high rate of internet subscription, were identified as the major problems they encountered in using smartphones. The study recommended the need for medical university management to collaborate with IT companies to develop smartphones capable of supporting their seeking of medical and health information which improve students’ academic performance. Furthermore, medical college management should collaborate with network service providers to reduce cost of internet subscription to students that will encourage continues use of smartphone to support their seeking of medical and health information.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Globalization has changed our lives and one of the ways in which it is changing our lives, every day, is how we communicate; thanks to advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). It is an undeniable fact that technology has become an integral part in today’s society. In today’s world, digital technology changed so rapidly and integrates into our society at such an accelerated rate, it is hard to keep up with it, let alone reflect on the effects it has on our lives. In line with this, Vieitez, Carcia, and Rodriquez, (2001) expresses that, technological revolution in academic organization has not only improved efficiency but also help reduce the problem of boredom. In addition to this, Roberts, and Pirog, (2013) point out that, the advancement of technology has also been a dominant force in effecting students’ academic life and helps facilitate the knowledge-constructed classroom. To this end, Gaskell and Mills (2010) stresses that, it was proven that mobile phone technologies played an important role in education; also mobile phone technologies offered a major chance in enhancing access to learning and enabling many institutions, especially in higher education to develop learner support as well as learning opportunities in ways which would build on modern techniques. Similarly, Raento, Oulasvirta, and Eagle (2009) added that recent developments in mobile technologies have produced a new kind of device: a programmable mobile phone, the smartphone.
Smartphone are arguable another revolutionary invention of our time, besides computer and internet technologies. Smartphone is one of the most ubiquitous, dynamic and sophisticated trends in communication. Smartphone technology is growing by leaps and bounds. The use of mobile computing devices such as smartphones is rapidly increasing in the population. According to Gartner, Inc., a technology research and advisory firm, by 2013 mobile phones will overtake personal computers (PCs) as the most common Web access device worldwide, and by 2015 over 80% of the cellular phones sold in markets will be smartphones (Gartner Newsroom. 2010). Smartphone evolution from the mobile phone influences how users tend to think of these devices, as reflected in the handset design. Beale, (2005) asserts that Smartphones are predominately communication devices, with additional computing power built in. Smartphones are the new generation of mobile phones; they have emerged over the last few years and already have conquered the market.
Interestingly, Smartphone represents the current pinnacle of mobile phone development, coupling phone capabilities with the additional functionalities of a computer. In this convergence between phone and handheld computer, the phone has the dominant genes. A Smartphone is an increasingly more common type of mobile phone, which can be described as a mobile phone with characteristics similar to the ones of a computer. Student can check e-mail, browse the Internet and add personal functionality by downloading applications using smartphone. Smart products are leading this era and functioning as the new buzzword. Unlike a normal mobile device a smartphone has a vast amount of both local storage and memory. Smartphones have operating units like computers. Smartphones act as mobile entertainment units where a user can: watch videos, listen to music, update blogs, (as well as audio and video blogging.). To this end, Alfawareh and Jusoh, (2014) buttress that Smartphone is a mobile phone running a complete operating system in a manner similar to a traditional computer, which offer advanced computing abilities and connectivity options. They provides high quality performance and quick access to data and information management, mobile audio and audio-visual calls, mobile teleconferencing, sending and receiving emails and quick and easy internet access.
Furthermore, Today’s mobile devices are multifunctional devices capable of hosting a broad range of medical apps (applications) for students in the medical and health sciences. In line with this, Mohapatra et al, (2015) assert that mobile technology is one of the latest strings of technological innovations that can be integrated into medical education. They also agreed that Smartphone use is increasingly integrated in the daily practice of medicine. Similarly, Yousuf, (2015) added that Smartphone applications are used in the form of efficient medical communication, research, diagnostic and reference tools, and even in patient monitoring and examination. Smartphone technologies can be used in having current information about changes made in course scheduling, deadlines and upcoming events and it can also increase interactivity and collaboration through the use of discussion forums and chat rooms.
However, the use of smartphone entails the process of utilizing smartphone technology and its applications for the purpose of answering a need or providing solution to a problem. There are numerous possibilities of using smartphone technology within and out of the lecture room. According to Koh et al. (2014), they opined that medical apps were perceived by medical students to help improve their clinical decision making, saved time, allowed faster access to national clinical practice guidelines, allowed faster access to common laboratory reference values, helped in making differential diagnoses, enabled useful medical related calculations, allowed faster access to reliable sources of medical knowledge, allowed faster access to reliable sources of clinical skills, allowed accurate medicine dosages calculation, allowed easier medicine dosages calculation and allowed faster access to evidence-based medical practice. In the same view, Bruce, (2010), opines that. Students can also access course materials so that they can learn at a convenient time and place. They also can access links to relevant websites, videos, further reading and online tutorials (supplementary activities) that extend or support learning. Emails or text messages can also be used to give instantaneous feedback of students‟ assessment. Smartphone is a major information technology device and students feel the urge to adapt to it in order to ‘‘keep up with the time’’. It can be noted that medical students use smartphone as it relate to their academic performance.
Demaray and Elliott (2010) opine that academic performance is a multidimensional construct composed of the skills, attitudes, and behaviors of a learner which contribute to academic success. Academic performance is the demonstration of a student’s level of competence and mastery of a subject. For a medical student to perform well and be competent in the field of study, it is important that the student make use of relevant and pertinent information that will enhance his/her performance; with smartphones, students have access to any kind of information as it relate to the academic performance at any point, place and time. To this end, Taylor and Harper (2001), portray that smartphones and its use have special place and impact in students’ life and their academic performances specially. The Smartphone is doubtless a tool that has the power to make its user master of his or her own sector of the digital world.
Additionally, with the aid of these smartphones, medical students learn faster outside the classroom by having quick access to the internet and easy retrieval of required medical and health learning resources while they also keep abreast of recent trend and development as it affects their medical academic performance, learning and research needs. Smartphones are redefining the way almost everything is done in the medical academic environment and are a ready tool for faster access to all medical knowledge geared towards achieving the medical learning and research objectives of the students. Smartphone has now become a part of the daily life of medical students for without it they would be lost in this high tech (technology) world.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Smartphone play a very significant role to medical students in seeking and gathering information in order to meet their learning and research needs. Several relevant medical and health information are available in diverse media which medical students can have access to through their smartphones. It is quite regrettable that despite the numerous advantages of smartphone, most medical students do not know how to use, search or to get the right information in the course of their academic work. Most often, even to synthesize and analyze the information becomes a nightmare to some medical students. These are some of the major challenges the medical students encountered in accessing desired information using such mobile devices. The inability of medical students to overcome these problems automatically makes it impossible to explore the potentials of the smartphone. Despite their relative importance in medical education, little is known about use of smartphone on academic performance of medical students. Hence, it is against this backdrop, the researcher wish to investigate, a survey of the use of smartphone by undergraduates in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The major objective is a survey of the use of smartphone by undergraduates in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The specific objective includes the following; to
Find out the level of awareness and use of smartphones by medical students for their academic wor
Find out the relevance/purpose of smartphones by medical stude
Find out some of the medical resources and services smartphones are used for by medical students for their academic wor
Find out the impact of smartphones on academic performance of medical stude
Find out the major problem encountered by medical students in using smartphones in gathering information for their academic wor
1.4 Research Question
The following research questions were formulated for this study:
What is the level of awareness and use of smartphones by medical students?
What is the relevant/purpose of using smartphone by medical students?
What are the medical resources and services that smartphones are used for by medical students for their academic works?
What are the medical apps commonly downloaded by medical students for their academic works?
Is there any impact of use of smartphone on academic performance of medical students?
What are the major problems encountered by medical students when using smartphone?
1.5 Scope of the study
This study investigated a survey of the use of smartphone by undergraduates in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpo|ma.
1.6 Significance of the study
It is hoped that the findings of this study will benefit various educational stakeholders. It would be useful to medical students in determining the many opportunities that smart phone provides in their academic lives.
Medical lecturers would be guided on how integrating smartphone technology will create a richer environment for teaching and learning.
The smartphone companies would be more informed and therefore invest in providing smartphones at a reduced price.
Curriculum planners and policy makers would be aware of the numerous possibilities of using smartphone technologies in learning, so as to assist in implementing and designing activities to support the various learning styles.
The findings from this study would also complement other studies and provide appropriate information for content developers and mobile learning developers in designing smartphone applications for medical learning at the university level.
This research would contribute to the body of educational research in that it explores students’ academic performance with multiple indicators of learning, which is satisfaction and academic performance. The research may provide literature so as to add more information on innovative use of smartphones to enhance educational experiences of medical university students.
1.7 Limitation of study
This study involved the following limitations. First, even though, there are other mobile devices that can be used to study academic performance of medical student, this research was only limited to the use of smartphone. Second, this study should have covered the entire medical student in Ambrose Alli University in order to draw a general conclusion on the subject, but it is restricted to students in the faculty of basic medical sciences in Ambrose Alli University due to time and financial constraints. Thirdly, the literature and tools that was used for this research was not easy to come by.
1.8 Operational definition of terms
The following are the conceptual definitions of key terms used in this study:
Academic performance: the level of students’ academic success in their various subjects.
Mobile application: It is a piece of software that runs on the Internet on a smartphone which can be downloaded from websites.
Smartphone: A device which has features of both a computer and a mobile phone (cell phone).
Medical student: A student who enrolled at a medical school, or a person following a course of study leading to qualification as a doctor, medicine, physician, nurse.
Usage: To do something with a device in order to achieve a purpose
University: This is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which grants academic degree in various subject and typically provides undergraduate education and postgraduate education.
Most learning is a social activity which occurs in interaction with others, so it is quite a logical step to integrate social media into learning experiences (Sie et al., 2012). The more social the medium is, the greater the impact communication partners have on each other’s behavior (Kaplan and Haenlein, 2010).
Social media is a means of interactions among people of different ages in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas in a virtual communities and network. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) defined social media as “a group of internet – based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and it allows the creation and exchange of user- generated content and depend on mobile and Web based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, create, discuss and modify user- generated content. Social media is playing an important role in today’s online world. The traditional way of meeting each other is long gone and now the world meets at social media websites. It is an instrument on communication that gives information and interacts with its users while giving the information. Social media is a powerful new form of communication and its use cut across rank, profession, age etc. The modern social media surfaced in the earlier 1990s and one of such sites was created in 1994 and was called the “Geocities” which was known for certain characteristics. Facebook is another key example of the social media with over one billion active users as at January 2013.
There are different types that have support for educators (blogging, Edublogawards, Teacher Tube, Twitter); delivery of content (MIT’s OpenCourseWare, iTunesU) and social learning (Facebook, Google+, blogs, LinkedIn and You Tube). Collaborated projects eg Wikipedia, blogs. Micro blog Twitters, Content communities such as YouTube, Flickr, Myspace.com, meet Up, del.icio.us stumble Upon, Digg, Daily motion and technologies.
Social media has influenced the educational nationwide in Nigeria and beyond, it introduction has played a significant role in the administration and teaching and learning in both college and university. Social medial has change the traditional way of sharing knowledge and information among students in the higher institutions in Nigeria. The use of social media in knowledge sharing cannot be overestimated it has helped to enhance access to information and learning with the use of networking in fostering transformation and easing accessibility to information for undergraduate.
A wide variety of characteristics and capabilities have been defined for social media in the literature. However, for the purpose of this study, those features of social media have been considered relevant to knowledge sharing purposes. They have the capabilities of social media that encourage, support, and enable undergraduate students to share their knowledge easily and effectively through different mechanisms. These characteristics of social media can be categorized into four features: Social connections have become very important and have improved and enhance accessibility of information and sharing of knowledge tremendously among Nigerian Universities.
Social networking: these sites are fast becoming very popular means of both interpersonal and public communication in Nigeria. Social networking sites are modern interactive communication channels through which people connect to one another, share ideas, experiences, pictures, messages and information of interest. Boyd and Ellison (2007) define social networking sites as:
‘‘Web based services that allow individuals to construct a Public or semipublic profile within a bounded system (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection and (3)view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.
They are interactive networks which information and communication technology (ICTs) bequeath to the modern society through the instrumentality of the Internet and the telecommunication gadgets. The social media makes it possible to expand the networks and to increase the possibilities for communicating with wider audiences on the globe in knowledge sharing. Over the year, it has becomes a very useful tools for Nigeria Undergraduates share knowledge through social media sites with various available gadget which has enhance their carrier achievement in the various higher institution.
The interactive aura of the new media confers an unprecedented popularity on them. Also the ubiquity of the social networking sites within their short period of arrival is unparalleled in the annals of media industry. Awake (2011) buttresses this point by noting that ‘‘social networking has become hugely popular. Similarly, it took 38 years for radio to reach 50 million users, 13 years for television to attract the same number and 4 years for the Internet to do so, but it took Facebook 12-month only to gain 200 million users in sharing of knowledge which has become easy and flexible. Social networking sites provide various interactive platforms based on the intentions of their founders. There are for instance, social, political, academic, businesses, sports and religious platform. In other words, the social media site by their nature has the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and inflaming the audience. Onomo (2012) acknowledged this ability of the media by remarking that social media sites has become ‘‘a widespread tool for communication and exchange of ideas, sharing of knowledge in helping individuals and organizations with just causes to reach a phenomenally vast audience that could hitherto not be reached by traditional media.’‘
Social connections have become very important and have improved the library profession tremendously in Nigeria. According to Suraweera et al (2011) social networking refers to a process of relationship building among a group with a common interest. Social media emerged in Nigeria principally for the purpose of socializing. The Facebook initially was used only for social discussions, however over time, particularly by the turn of the 21st century the grouping of individuals into specific groups emerged.
The World Wide Web enables people to gain access to information, create content and disseminate ideas more efficiently. It optimizes the social networks in which individuals are connected through widening communication channels and lowering costs (Barsky and Purdon 2006). Social networking sites first emerged for Internet users to find long-lost friends and classmates, link with each other and share profiles. An increasing number of individuals have become members of one or more social networking sites leading to soaring membership numbers, largely because these sites are free and easy to use. Lately, these social networking sites have gained a foothold among companies, organizations, and even politicians who want to reach out to their target populations (Read 2006). The wide application of social networking in different contexts appears to have included universities and libraries as well (Boyd and Ellison 2007).
Thus, since inception, social networking sites like Facebook, twittser,2go, My Space, Skype etc. have mesmerized millions of users, many of whom have been made to use these sites as parts of their daily activities. Currently, there is a plethora of social networks with various features meant to suit the different interests of their followers. Some are accessed via computer alone while others can be used with mobile phones. The first identifiable social networking sites was launched in 1997, six degree. It allowed its users to create profiles, list their friends and in 1998, introduced the friends list where users had the freedom to search for old and new friends. (Zeller 2008).
This however was devoid of the provision for users to upload their profile pictures. Other social networking sites like classmates were founded to aid social interaction among their users but did not have many features like six degrees. Other social networking sites like Friendster and myspace created virtual community, which would help its members locate old and new ones, shape their personal profile via the Internet and socially idea or opinion under the sun. Two years later, Jack Dorsey Launched Twitter as an online blogging site, while the most recent 2go was founded in 2008 by Michael S. Egan. Therefore, just like radio and television, social networking has spread everywhere in Nigeria and are bound to be sprouting as the new media for are still obscure. In other words, from the analysis carried out by the researcher from the world Internet statistics (2012) it was found that out of the total population of 170,123,740 Nigeria, 5,860,240 numbers of people used Facebook as of 2012. Comparing Burundi and Chad with a similar population of 10,557259k and 199 75,648 respectively, the data shows that 37,040 and 36, 940 number of people respectively used Facebook as of 2012. Similarly, Florunso, et al (2010) reviewed that: In Africa, social media networking sites are becoming widely Spread than it has ever been before and it appears that people’s Perception of this technology is diverse. pp.326).
Furthermore, as a novel phenomenon, it is necessary to examine how UNN students use the new means of communication. This is because student’s contribution as youths can make or transform any nation. Essoungou (2010), explain that the new communication technology is one of few ways that young Africans can bypass the inefficiencies in the system that allow the status quo to hold on. It lowers the barriers to entry for everyone to get involved and be heard. A study like this shall help to ascertain whether Students use of the media could be regulated or not. This is obviously because the disposition of people of a given community could shape the media in existence there, just like a cerebral media scholar, Anim (2007)aptly notes that societies greatly influence the operations and functions of the media that operate within those societies.’‘ The manner in which the social media were used and the role they play in the recent uprising which rocked the middle- East popularly referred to as ‘‘Arab Spring’’ could be deciphered as credence to the above academic observations.
Knowledge has always seen as one of the key strategic resources that can produce sustained long-term competitive advantage. Knowledge is the ability of people and organizations to understand and act effectively. Having knowledge supports to cope with daily routine works and it can also set up everyone to deal with new situations and utilize when needed.
Organizations that need to thrive, compete, and operate in an ever evolving environment, cannot leave the development of knowledge within the organization to chance. The exchange of information and knowledge among employees is a vital part of knowledge management. Actually, the organizations are faced with the challenge how to get people to share their knowledge.
For several decades, the world’s best-known forecasters of social change have predicted the emergence of a new economy where brainpower and knowledge, not traditional sources of energy and machine power is the critical resource. However, this future is already here and the knowledge economy has arrived. This evolving era is characterized by rapid change and uncertainty, the increasing importance of knowledge and knowledge management and the popularity of new information technologies that have the potential to radically change the way organization do business.
The single most significant technological development in the last 20 years has been the Internet. The Internet makes it possible for individuals to connect, collaborate and share knowledge, information, document, photo, video, etc. continuously with anyone in the world. Furthermore, people are able to make use of social media tools in order to increase range and richness of their networks, gather information and nowadays, increasingly organizations are finding ways of integrating social media into their business processes (Gaál et al, 2014).
The learning organization. a concept that has been around for some time, and rose to popularity in the 1990s when Senge (1990) introduced his book The fifth discipline. the art and practice of the learning organization. To this day it is seen as an important concept for organizations. Organizations must learn because the environment around them changes so quickly. Therefore, employees (and thus the whole organization) have to learn to handle these changes.
It is the light of the above that this research work will seek to examine the use of social media by undergraduate students in Ambrose Alli Univeristy Ekpoma.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, social networking sites have metamorphosed from few-user-based sites into phenomena that have become niche for billions of users. The growth and popularity of social networking sites have generated concerns among school authorities, communication experts and socio-psychological researchers about the benefit and potential risks facing undergraduates, as they engage in online social networking to cater for their social and information needs rather than oral or face-to-face communication.
Social media has influenced the educational nationwide in Nigeria and beyond, it introduction has played a significant role in the administration and teaching and learning in both college and university. From researches and past literatures, many authors have tried to write about one aspect on the subject of the role of social media by academic library in Edo State.
The literature was extensively review. No work was found in literature that covered the use of social media by undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University. Hence this study was carried out to cover this gap.
But not much was has been carried out in the area of social media as its been used by undergraduate in Edo State. Although, several studies has dealt on the benefits of social media on library services. Almost nothing is done on the aspect of social media use by undergraduates in Ambrose Alli University based on this, this study aims to survey the use of social media by undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine the use of social media by undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University.
The specific objectives of this study were to:
Determine the extent to which the undergraduate students use social
Determine where students get access to social media.
Identify the types of social media used by students.
Identify factors encouraging the use of social media by undergraduate students.
Determine the purpose for which the students use the social media
1.4 Research Questions
The following questions will are raised to guide this study:
To what extent do undergraduate students use social media?
Where do students have access to social media?
What are the types of social media used by students?
What are the factors encouraging the use of social media by undergraduate students?
What are the purposes for which the students use the social media?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses are formulated for this study:
H01: Undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University does not make use of social media.
H02: There are no factors encouraging the use of social media by Undergraduate students.
H03: Social media does not significantly influence the performance of undergraduate students.
1.6 Significant of the Study
It is expected that the output of this research will benefit students and the administration of undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma as well as show the level of the students’ use of social media sites. This shall help them to understand how best to sustain the students attention on using social media sites. Also this work will be of immense benefit to the field of Library and information sciences as it will be on addition to existing literature. And shall also add to the available academic literatures on social media.
Also the findings could be used by academic advisers and counselors proffer professional advice to the university authorities on how to regulate the social media usage among undergraduate students of undergraduate students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.
Also, the findings of this study would provide facts that will enable the ministry of communication technology to know what arises from students’ use of the social media sites. This will help the ministry, to know how to control social media usage. Upon successful completion of this research, it shall be very relevant to various people, across Nigeria.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This research work is undertaken to examine the use of social media by undergraduate students. But due to time, finance and other factors, the study will be limited to Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo Statea as a case study.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
The following operational definition of terms will be used in this study:
Social media are computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. Social media is defined as “a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.
Social Networking: Boyd and Ellison (2007) described social networking websites as systems that allow individuals to: (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.
THE USE OF INTERNET SERVICES IN LIBRARIES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Traditional library systems are gradually becoming a thing of the past. These is observed as most libraries now rely and use the internet and other technologies in performing functions and services. Thus, access to information now stimulates change, creating an environment that makes learning meaningful and more responsive. Buttressing the assertion above, Oketunji (2001) stated that internet gives us access to a vast wealth of knowledge and access tools that facilitates research. The internet offers the opportunity to conduct remote classes, allow access to remote libraries, and create an environment innovative and cooperative learning experiences.
Today, internet connectivity has become a necessity. It allows tertiary institutions to leverage the teaching and learning process. This ensure brighter future for students as it provides access to information, helping to close the global information gap (Omagbemi, Akintola and Olayiwola, 2004). Furthermore, Oketunji (2001) submitted that the internet and other ICTs provide a golden opportunity for the provision of value-added services by libraries.The internet provides challenges to the formal educational system, it has fostered a collaborative approach to learning of traditional methods. Odenewu and Olasore (2009) submitted that it is useful for the following:
As an expert system
As reference resources
Allows communication with any professional colleague around the world
Permits access to libraries and library catalogues around the world.
Valuable information in electronic libraries, books, journals, magazines and newsletter is made available
Leiner et al (2000) said the word internet is derived, from two words ‘international’ and ‘network’. The internet can be defined as an international computer network of information available to the public than modern links.
The internet as conceived by the Advance Research Project Agency (ARPA) of the US government in 1969 and was first known as APRANET. The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of a research computer at one university to be able to communicate with another research computer in another university and to create a network that could function even if a portion was damaged or destroyed in the event of military attack or other disaster. The government and the university were the first people to use the internet. Overtime, more educational institutions sought the services of APRANET.
In 1980s, many people and institutions from Europe and Asia used the Internet. The World Wide Web (www) was introduced by Timothy Berner Lee an English Computer Scientist in 1989. In the early 1990s, the web was popular. Overtime, the popularity of internet exploded, more and more companies, private organizations and individuals began to use and offer internet services.
Odenewu and Olasore (2009) stated that the internet has become an important and reliable tool for information retrieval. The internet is a global network of computers linked together over large distance. It was created by the American military as a means of communication and has been in the existence since the 1950’s up until the mid to late eighteen century only commercial organizations, military based institution and educational institutions used the internet, due to its high cost. Felix Okoro et al (2004) says that The rapid development of technology has improved communication links amidst lowering of cost. The implication of this is that the internet is now more widely available to more people, and a valuable source of information for individuals looking for information with over 50million websites on the net.
Omijie (2008) added that Internet means International Network. He also said that the network is made up of several computers, which are connected or linked together for effective communication worldwide. It enables companies, organizations, individuals, schools and governments to share information across the world. Bassey (2003) also agreed that the internet uses the World Wide Web (W.W.W) that enables users to access documents in richly formatted texts and pictures, an millions of pages of information of various kinds, such as; information about your hobbies, information that will help you increase your professional knowledge, job advertisement, weather forecast, flight information, information on lucrative business, sport information, newspapers etc. Access to using the internet is guaranteed by subscribing and connecting to an Internet Service Provider (I.S.P) through a Modulator Demodulator (MODEM). Once you subscribe to an I.S.P, you can use any browser (software for searching for information such as Internet Explorer and Netscape) to view and interact with the web pages. Bassey further said that the internet is like an electronic city with many libraries, stores, business offices, vendors’ stand, shops and so on, thereby making the whole world a “global village”.
The use of internet as a facility has transgressed all sphere of human endeavour, such as medicine, military, politics, banking and most significantly education. Recent observation of internet use shows that these popularity of internet is based on the services intent is used for as internet services they include:
Interactive Mobile/Video Lecture.
Surfing the net
Electronic Mail Services
Teleconference Service
Internet Banking
Telephone Services
Kavanagh (2004) said interactive video lectures is interactive and useful for students. He asserted that the growing impact of I.T. on learning could lead to changes in the structures and the way courses are delivered in tertiary institutions. He added that the growth in student numbers means many institutions are finding their lecture facilities in-adequate hence the need for live lectures through video recording delivered through large, wall mounted display.
Omigie (2009) posited that Surfing the net is an act or process of searching for information on the internet. This is as, there exist millions of pages of information. Surfing allows access to any kind of information as long as such information is on net. The researcher describes the internet as an “Electronic World Library”, or an “Electronic Village with all kinds of shops”. The process by which you move from one of these “shops” to another or move from “shelf” in search of information in the electronic library is called Browsing or Surfing.
Another internet services is the Electronic Mail Services also known as e-mail, Bassey (2003) saysis a method of sending and receiving mails (messages) electronically. E-mails are convenient, faster, cheaper and safer than the postal services often referred to as “snail mail”. Interestingly, Davis (2004) said teleconference services refers to a meeting conducted by use of telephone or cell phones without requiring attendees to be physically present in the same physical area. It is usually of a business nature and may require a facilitator of party leader to lead the meeting. He added that video conferencing tools can keep kids in school.
Interestingly, Hussein et al (2011) observed that Internet banking, is the same as online banking or virtual banking which is an electronic payment system that enables customers of a bank or other financial institution to conduct a range of financial transaction through the financial institutions website. While telephone services by Felix Okoro (2004) is an online voice conversation between two persons using Internet Telephone facilities.
Kwesiga (2002) approved that academic performance of students is also influenced by the school in which they studied but he also said that the number of facilities of school offers usually determine the quality of the school which in turn affect the performance and accomplishment of its students. Also, Crosne and Elder (2004) noticed that school provision of facilities and access to resources such as computer and internet facilities enhances students academic performance ,adding that Academic Performance is the outcome of education to the extent to see a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals. Therefore the outcome of education is the extent to which a student has achieved his educational goals.
Bossaert Doumen (2011) said an undergraduate degree (also called first degree, bachelor’s degree or simply degree) is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of higher education, such as a university. The most common type of this degree is the bachelor’s degree, which typically takes at least three or four years to complete.
Polytechnics play a vital role in the educational, scientific and technological progress of Nigeria. They are established to train and produce the technical manpower necessary for the execution of the Nation’s development plans, goals and strategies
The internet is a worldwide network of inter-connected computer networks (commercial academic and government) that operates using a standardized set of communication protocols called TCP/IP (transmission control protocols/internets protocols) or the internet protocol suite.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Much has been said by authorities in the field of education about the falling standard of education. Researchers have attributed various reasons for this fall. In this age of internet facilities, it is observed that not much has been done to harness the potentials of internet library facilities in rescuing the situation.
Internet is made up of millions of computer linked together around the world in such a way that information can be accessed from any computer or device, irrespective of the location. It is observed by the researcher that even at this positive attributes of internet, coupled with increase capital investment on hardware and software by government, for the educational system, the use of internet by students in tertiary institution for academic purpose is still low and in most cases non-existent. It is in view of this that the study tries to examine the use of library internet services as well as importance and benefits of the library internets in increasing the academic performance of undergraduates in polytechnics.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The primary objective of the study is to assess the use of internet services in libraries by undergraduate student. However the specific objectives are to;
Find out the library internet services available in the polytechnic libraries
Study how accessible the library internet services are in the polytechnic libraries
Find out the frequency of use of library internet services by undergraduate students
Examine the purpose of use of library internet services by undergraduate students.
Examine the influence of use of library internet services on academic performance of undergraduates’ student in polytechnics.
1.4 Research Questions
What are the library internet services available in the polytechnic libraries?
What is the level of accessibility of library internet services in polytechnic libraries?
What is the frequency of usage of library internet services by undergraduate students in polytechnic library?
What is the purpose of using library internet services by undergraduate students in polytechnics?
What is the influence of the use of library internet services on academic performances of undergraduate students in polytechnics?
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study is limited to undergraduate students (library users) in Polytechnics in Edo State. All other forms of tertiary institutions will not be included in this study. Similarly, this study is investigating the use of Internet Services, by undergraduate students while other library services will be excluded from the study.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is hoped that the findings of this study will be of significance to librarians in polytechnics as it will help them to understand the importance of library internet services. Also, it is hoped that the findings will be of benefit to the undergraduate students in polytechnics as this will showcase the importance of library internet services to their study and academic output. Similarly it is hoped that it will be of benefit to other researchers and scholars in librarianship as this will serve as a reference material.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
Internet Search Engine: This is a software system that is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. It is generally presented in a line of results often referred to as search engine result pages (SERPS)
Internet: This is also known as Net. It is a worldwide system of computer networks that connects millions of computers together globally for communication.
Polytechnic: This is an institution of higher education offering courses at degree level or below, especially in vocational subjects.
Surfing: This is the activity of moving from site to site on the internet.
Undergraduate: This is used to refer to a student that has not yet obtained a first degree.
Library Services: This refers to all such services that are provided by the library to its users.
Library Users: These are the persons that visits the library with the purpose of exploiting it resources to satisfy his information need.
Internet Service: This allows us to access huge amount of information such as text, graphics, sound and software over the internet. A system must be connected to the worldwide web (www) before you can access the net.
Academic Performance: This is the outcome of Education- the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals.
INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF CATALOGUERS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN EDO AND DELTA STATES
ABSTRACT
This study surveyed the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in Edo and Delta State libraries. A descriptive survey design research method was adopted and the questionnaires were used in obtaining data. The total population for the study was 52 cataloguers from five university libraries in Edo and Delta states. Nine research questions were raised and nine hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analyzed through the use of simple percentages to answer the research questions and t-test statistical method of significant difference to test the hypotheses. Among the findings of the study are that cataloguers irrespective of sex difference need information for; knowledge, research, professional development, to catalogue/classify effectively and for administration in this order. It was revealed from the study that female cataloguers are more persistence in information seeking than their male counterpart. Their major media of information search are; the university main library, communication with colleagues/others and mass media. It was found that cataloguers irrespective of their sex difference occasionally or rarely attend seminars, conferences and workshops. They both expressed satisfaction from media consulted in the process of searching for information with male expressing more satisfaction. Both sexes agreed to use internet website such as Google.com, Library of congress and Webdewey with male showing slight dominance in usage in the process of searching for information. They also agreed that they adopt various search strategies such as searching, consulting and selecting while searching for information. They acquired their search skills through; friends/colleagues, reading ICT manual/materials from the library, ICT training program and half of them admitted that they acquire theirs by trial and error. Both sexes agreed that they derived benefits such as increased work output, access to current information and professional development from information sought and used. The major constraints encountered by them in the process of seeking for information are; electricity power outage, slow internet response, inadequate ICT facilities in the library and lack of time. The nine hypotheses raised in the study were accepted. The study recommends that libraries should be upgraded with adequate ICT facilities to enhance efficient and effective services. There should be a policy mandating cataloguers to attend seminars, conferences and workshops as their knowledge and skill can be upgraded.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Information is so pervasive and omnibus that there is hardly any endeavor in which it is not important component. It is an analyzed or processed data that is meaningful for decision making (Aina, 2004). According to Johanessen and Kolverid (1994) information may be defined as data we can perceive, comprehend, compile and turn into knowledge. Scaunder’s (2004) posit that information in itself is not knowledge, it provides essential raw material which in due course leads to knowledge. The exchange of information is an important factor in all phase of innovation process (Roger, 1983). This accounts for why information is being sought by every group or individual. According to Reese and Aldrich (1993) not all kinds of information are important but that sought by any group must be valuable in the sense that it works.
Agosto (2001) presented a model of gender specific information behavior. The use of information from web resources by female has been marked by the following principles; collaboration, social networking, flexibility and movement, inclusion into community, contextually and personal engagement. In the view of Sullivan, Boigman, and Wippern (1990) women spent less time on preparation of information seeking and made more mistakes in databases languages. They also noted women different attitude with regard to relevant judgment. Women judge a larger amount of information as relevant than men did. They further noted that when communicating with information system women’s behavior was more interactive. According to Higgins and Hawamdeh (2001) girls used judgement based on intuition and insight. They are more patient when reading information from the screen and preferred work in group. While the performance of boys was better in browsing and use of key words, they preferred individual work. They concluded by noting that with girls the information need was conceptualized as a social event as opposed to individualistic approach of boys. In the opinion of Johannessen and Kolverid (1994) women entrepreneur appear to utilize personal and close social contact while men do not to the same extent.
In support of this, Steinerova and Susol (2005) noted that men confirmed preference of individual work and independent information seeking more frequently than women. Men apply straightforward access to information resources while women use librarian help more frequently. They noted that no significant difference have been found as for the increase of problem understanding or interest in the process of seeking information. The use of library catalogues and reference works has been confirmed more strongly by women. In the same vein, women indicated wider use of bibliographies and indexes. Women are more patient in information seeking while with men the increasing use of fast retrieval tools has been noted for example higher percentage of men (58.3%) agrees that the information confirmed their prior knowledge, compared to 41.7% of women (Steinerova and Susol, 2005). They emphasize that higher percentage of men has also confirmed that information seeking took them more time than they expected. However, women perceived lack of time more intensely (for example 30% of women and 20% of men). Olorunsola and Ibegbulam (2003) noted that female cited the daily routine of domestic duties and extra demands on time and emotional strain that accompanies caring responsibilities.
Enochsson (2005) noted that the new net generation difference between men and women in the use of the internet is diminishing. Susol (2005) supported this assertion by stating that women use the internet slightly less than men, they show higher proportion of rare use and non use of electronic resources and a lower proportion of frequent use. However, he emphasize that the sociocultural background of gender difference still leaves women with more computer anxiety of feeling of lower self efficacy. In the opinion of Rose and Fischer, (1995) Africa societies are male biased.
According to Anwar, Al-Ansari and Abdullah (2004) information need, seeking and use are areas of fundamental concern to library and information science professionals. Information need is often understood in information science as evolving from vague awareness of something missing and culminating in locating information that contributes to understanding and meaning (Kuhithau, 1996). He further emphasizes that information need triggers information seeking, which is caused by uncertainty due to lack of understanding, gap in meaning or limited constructs. Talja (1992) noted that information needs arise when an individual found himself or herself in problem situation, when he or she can no longer manage the knowledge that he or she possesses. This view was collaborated by Hayden (2005) when he stated that information seeking is triggered when someone observed that his or her current state of knowledge is less than what is needed to deal with some emerging issues or problems.
Furthermore, Solomon (1994) avers that we as individuals and groups repeatedly find ourselves in situation where information is needed gathered, sought, organized, retrieved, processed, evaluated and used. Information seeking behavior refers to the way people search for and utilizes information (Faire-Wessel, 1990). Marchionini (1995) asserted that individuals’ information seeking behavior involves active and purposeful information seeking in order to complete diverse range of professionals problems.
Callison (1997) noted that the enormous task set before the students in meeting their academic pursuit creates the responsibilities for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance his/her education goals. This can be attributed to cataloguers as the enormous task set before them in coordinating cataloguing activities create the need for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance their professional goals. Talja (1992) posit that individuals need information not just to tackle problems that arise in the course of performing their duties but also for professional development. Information needs of the cataloguer provide the basis for system development, bibliometrics, user education, readability of text, retrieval design and evaluation of information materials (Martins and Metcaife, 2001). In the view of Reese and Aldrich (1993) information that businesses as well as informal entrepreneurs need is rare, valuable and inimitable. They further stress that the information need of these group is peculiar to their line of operation in order to gain competitive advantage. In likewise manner, catalogues seek information that relates to their job operations in order to increase their work output.
However, due to the nature of the cataloguers work, very few of them aspire to this role (Bello and Thompson, 2003). They emphasize that cataloguers rarely attend conference, workshops seminars where they can get information on how to improve their work situations, facilitate the exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills. This will strengthen their knowledge and abilities to provide quality-cataloguing services. In the view of Macgregor (2007) as cited by Welsh and Robertson (2007) I can’t remember if I once had a preconceived idea of what it would be like to be a cataloguer and what the general image of cataloguer is. She further emphasizes that cataloguers feel obsessed and consider themselves as not relevant as all the information in the world are now available in the internet. She also noted that technological development bring their own challenges and opportunities for expanding skills into metadata areas. Whether it is cataloguing visual resources (which can frequently change format or location or disappear altogether) or enabling access to a digitized version of a century old print items. This explains why they show unseriousness in information seeking to improve the quality of their services. Reddy (1972) posited that why would cataloguers not get excited about their work, if they know they were contributing to something bigger than themselves.
Cataloguers have special requirement to constantly retool and update by seeking information on the use of recent technology in order to affect the issues that arise while performing their work (Bello and Thompson, 2003). According to Abel (2004) frequency of the use of internet in 1998-2000 had greatly increased. There is increasing number of electronic source which librarian can benefits from in the course of searching for information (Marinoni etal, 2002). In the opinion of Martin and Metcalfe (2001) the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its application to cataloguing process by cataloguers has not only improved professional training of the cataloguer but also improved their information seeking skill as well their (ICT) skills. The development of second generation online catalog (OPAC) has launched many search and display features that are beginning to empower cataloguers to manipulate OPAC to meet their needs and that of the patron (Lambardo and Candic, 2000). Welsh and Robertson noted that the internet has raised awareness of search strategies and expectation about the easy retrieval of information so cataloguers have to meet, match and exceed these expectations.
According to Alzofon and Van Pulis (1984) highest success rate of using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) was noticed among cataloguers and users who had formal training and experience in search skills. Ikoja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) in their study on the information seeking behavior of the informal sector entrepreneur opined that there is the need to improve entrepreneur information search skills to increase productivity. They further emphasize that entrepreneurs acquire skills through experience, although some gain theirs through formal training and apprenticeship. Bello and Thompson (2003) in their survey on recruitment of cataloguers that are experience in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for information seeking, found that their wealth of experience was brought to bear on the job development. Individual personal information infrastructure is also developed during the information seeking process, when knowledge and skills are gained to adapt to different situations and problems (Xie, 2000).
In the view of Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) information seeking behavior of faculty member in Bangkok universities are expressed in various form, from reading printed materials to research experimentation. They further stress that faculty members actively seek current information source such as the electronic media, encyclopedias, journals etc. Wilson (2000) posited that in the course of seeking information, the individual may interact with manual information source (such as the library, newspaper, journals) or with computer based source such as the web. According to Anwar etal (2004) information source of Journalist in Kuwaiti are expressed in formal and informal source, the informal source are where information is received directly from friends and colleagues and from the formal source otherwise known as the structured source respectively. In their research, they observed that respondents derived maximum satisfaction from the information obtained from formal source such as the library, conferences, government publication etc than the informal source. In the opinion of Marcella and Baxter (1999) information source of United Kingdom citizens comprise of the public libraries, information centers, family and friends, government agencies, professional association etc they observed that majority of the respondents agreed that they derived satisfaction from informal source while minority preferred information from printed media such as the library, information center etc. Bello and Thompson (2003) aver that cataloguing skills in library and information science (LIS) can only advance through continuing professional development, through a process of training and retraining which can be achieved through conferences, workshops and seminar attendance. These contribute to the effectiveness of an individual and to the achievement of personal and professional goals (Rockman, 1989).
However, Bello and Thompson (2003) noted that cataloguers will derived a lot of benefits from attending conferences, seminars and workshops. The benefits include exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills and strengthening of the cataloguers knowledge and abilities to provide quality cataloguing services. In the view of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) benefits of information seeking behavior of entrepreneurs is to create access to new and better method of resolving business pitfalls, increase competitive advantage and productivity. SABINET (1983) noted that information sought and used by information professional will improve their knowledge on how to organized, disseminate, sharing of resources and evaluation of knowledge asset. It also improves their skills and competence on how to develop information system such as database and other library practices.
Despite the benefits that are accrue to the information seeking behavior of cataloguers, they are faced with a lot of constraint. According to Wilson (1996) individual encounter problems in the process of seeking information. This view was supported by Taylor (1999) when he noted that cataloguers are faced with some constraint while interacting with information source, this may be due to their inability to locate bibliographic information of an information materials. According to Adimorah (2003) factors that militate against the information seeking behavior of rural dwellers include; distance, lack of accessibility, finance and lack of awareness. In the same vein, Anwar etal (2004) noted that Journalist in Kuwaiti are confronted with the following problems; lack of available time, lack of electronic library, lack of training in information use skills, difficulty in assessing international information source, information explosion etc. In the opinion of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) entrepreneurs encounter the following problems while seeking information; lack of time to look for information, lack of knowledge where to get information, language barrier, lack of information facilities etc.
There have been several researches on information seeking behavior virtually in all fields of endeavor but not much have been written on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguing. In related topics, Anwar etal (2004) studied the information seeking behavior of journalist in Kuwaiti, Fidzani (1999) carried out a research on the information needs and seeking behavior of graduate students at the university of Botswana, Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) studied information seeking behavior of the information sector entrepreneur in Uganda, Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) researched on information seeking behavior of faculty members of Rajabhat universities in Bangkok. Research has also be carried out on the information seeking behavior of arts scholars in Sri Lankan universities (Ileperuwa, 2002). Johannessen and Kolvereid (1994) conducted a study on information search behavior during business gestation of entrepreneur. Marcella and Baxter (1999) did a study on the information needs and information seeking behavior of United Kingdom citizens. Kakai etal (2002) studied the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students of Makerere University, Uganda. Looking at all these studies, it is discovered that nothing has been written on information needs and seeking behavior of the cataloguer. This study therefore attempt to look at cataloguers’ information search behavior, what kind of information do they seek for and how do they go about the search?
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Information without doubt is key in this present knowledge age. Despite the obvious importance of information many professional carry out their jobs with limited information required for maximum performance. Cataloguers are not left out in this scenario. So most cataloguers are compelled to stick to the status quo.
Also it is painful to note that there is dearth of cataloguers in many academic libraries. This in most cases is associated with phobia for cataloguing and lack of necessary information to ease cataloguing processes. This negative attitude has gravely affected the productivity and service delivery of cataloguers in universities libraries. It is pertinent to ask, why is it so difficult for cataloguers to perform their task with great competency and what is the information they need to perform their task adequately?
It is against this background that this study is been carried out to unravel the information seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States.
1.3 Research Questions
The following research questions are formulated to tackle the problem in this study.
What are the information needs of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the attitudes of male and female cataloguers towards information seeking in these libraries?
What are the information sources of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How satisfied are male and female cataloguers with information source consulted in these libraries?
How does information and communication technology enhance male and female cataloguers information search in these libraries?
What are the information seeking strategies of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How do male and female cataloguers acquire their information search skill in these libraries?
What are the benefits of information seeking to male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the problems encountered by both male and female cataloguers when seeking for information in these libraries?
1.4 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses are formulated to guide the study.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information needs
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
There is no significant difference in the information source consulted by both male and female cataloguers
There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction derived from information sources consulted by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers use of information and communication technology for information seeking.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information seeking strategies.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers acquisition means of information search skills.
There is no significant difference between the benefits derived from information sought by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference in the problems encountered by male and female cataloguers while seeking for information.
1.5 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. Specifically, the study wish to;
Determine the information needs of male and female cataloguers
Examine male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
Ascertain the information source consulted by male and female cataloguers
Ascertain the level of satisfaction derived from information source consulted by male and female cataloguers.
Investigate the extent male and female cataloguers use information and communication technology (ICT) for information seeking.
Determine the information seeking strategies of both male and female cataloguer.
Ascertain the acquisition means of information seeking skills of male and female cataloguers.
Determine the benefits of the information sought by both male and female cataloguers.
Determine the problems that both male and female cataloguers encounter while seeking information.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be useful to library staff, researchers and students as it will provide literature in this respect. It will also help library management to set in motion a conducive atmosphere for cataloguers to thrive as regard information seeking so as to increase their efficiency and productivity. In a nutshell, the findings will challenge cataloguers on the need to use modern technology to search for information and the various strategies involved.
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study focuses on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. The study will investigate gender difference on the; information needs of cataloguers, attitude of the cataloguers towards information seeking, information source consulted and level of satisfaction derived from the information source consulted, extent cataloguers use information and communication technology for information search, cataloguers information seeking strategies, benefits as well as the problems militating against information seeking behavior of cataloguers. The universities in Edo and Delta State comprise of the following; University of Benin, Benin (Federal), Benson Idahosa University, Benin (Private), Novena University, Amai (Private), Igbinedion University, Okada (Private), Delta State University, Abraka (State) and Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma (State).
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Cataloguer: These are professional who are responsible for the organization and processing information materials for easy and quick access and retrieval.
Information Need: This can be defined as a situation that arises when a cataloguer encounters a work related problem that can be resolved through some information.
Information Behavior: This is a unique set of complex activities perform by human in seeking for information (Arnold, 1978). It’s an innate motivational state which involves purposive seeking for information.
Information Seeking Behavior: This is a process in which an individual goes about looking for relevant and pertinent information. It is the complementary process to information need.
Information Seeking Strategies: These are tactics used to seek information or to work through a stage of search process (Kuhithau, 1996).
Information Use: It is the application of information to problem situation. It is also the effective utilization of information need.
Information Sources: According to Adomi (2006) information sources are information bearing materials which enables cataloguers to meet their information needs.
Information Literacy: This is the ability to effectively access and evaluate information for a given need (Branik, 1985).
The objective of this study is to analyze the knowledge sharing behavior of students in Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State. Other specific objective are to examine the sources, purpose and channels of knowledge sharing among students as well as the attitude of students, motivational factors to and barriers against knowledge sharing amongst students understudied. Related literatures were reviewed. The descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised of 45,000 students, while the random sampling techniques was used to draw up a sample size of 250. The questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. The data were analyzed using the simple percentage and frequency count tables. Finding showed that sources of knowledge sharing among these category of students studied are the internet, classmates, library, course instructors and friends outside the college. Also, motivating factors to knowledge sharing are: learning from themselves and helping others; it was also revealed that preferred channels of knowledge sharing among students are face-to-face interaction, online, telephone interactions and online messages. It was discovered that barriers’ to knowledge sharing are lack of knowledge sharing culture, lack of depth of relationship amongst students and fear of being surpassed by their colleagues. Conclusion was drawn and recommendations made.
THE STUDY OF MANUAL AND ELECTRONIC CATALOGUING IN TWO ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN EDO STATE
THE STUDY OF MANUAL AND ELECTRONIC CATALOGUING IN TWO ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN EDO STATE