Category Archives: Library and Information Science

INTERNET AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION

ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF INTERNET AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR ACADEMIC WORKS BY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated accessibility use of internet as a source of information for academic work by public school teachers in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted and purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 169 respondents, questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, consisting of tables, percentages and mean statistics. The main findings revealed that public school teachers do not have internet facilities in their schools and they access the internet through their personal computers, smart phones and cyber café. Findings also revealed that public school teachers consult the internet to form lesson note, do academic research/personal research, get news and information, communicate via email and social media. They also agreed that internet services have impact on them through access to information anytime and anywhere, to increase the opportunity for scholarly communication with colleagues as well as improve their lesson note. Lack of internet services/connectivity in the school, poor electricity supply, poor funding of school library services (internet services) were the major challenges the respondents faced when using internet services and facilities. The study recommended the public school managements should provide adequate internet facilities in public schools and also make them accessible to public school teachers.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The convergence of computer and telecommunication has revolutionized information management in the present day information environment. One of the products of this myriad of convergence is the birth of the Internet. In the process of trying to make information available to information seekers and users in the past few years, Internet has become the major source of information. This is so, considering the strategic importance of Internet in information retrieval. The world over have been availed the opportunity of Internet in the enhancement of knowledge and research. The invention of the Internet and on-line information search engines, among others have made this possible. Yusuf (2005) assert that the field of education has been affected by internet access, which has undoubtedly affected teaching, learning, and research. Education is a fundamental human process; a matter of values and action. The cluster of technologies called the “Internet” has the ability to complement, reinforce, and to enhance the educational process.

The internet is a vast global network that links millions of computers ranging from the smallest handheld personal mobile digital assistants to the most powerful computer systems ever constructed. The power of the internet is that it allows a worldwide community comprising millions of people to communicate, access, and publish information. People are using the internet to gain access to libraries throughout the world, aid in research projects and cross-cultural studies, solve school assignments, and enhance foreign language skills, and simply exchange ideas and studies with their peers. The internet has become a global cultural phenomenon; tens of millions of people have access to the system. It is of the same magnitude as television was in its early years and is the most powerful current trend for societal change. According to Dowlin (2001), opines that “participation in the internet collapses geography and time”. The cost is independent of distance and the information is accessed in real or virtual time with little delay. However, Internet is not self dependent but a network itself. One needs computer or an enabled mobile phone to access the information and other multimedia resources through the internet. Therefore, because of the countless benefits from using the internet especially the educational value, schools now acquire computer systems with telecommunication tools to have access to the internet.

The Internet can be used to source information or for research by browsing the World Wide Web (www) using the Uniform resource locator (URL) to access databases provided electronically by information providers. E-mails can be sent and received; chats and discussion can be conducted in addition to the transaction of e-commerce. In line with this, Anyokoha,(2005) assert that the internet which is usually called information superhighway is simply the interconnectivity of computers that provide a wide range of information in all facets of human endeavors to end-users. Teachers need Internet because of its flexibility and dynamism in information retrieval, storage and processing. Internet is very important to public school teachers because they need to have access to timely, accurate and relevant information for their teaching and research.

Internet sources like the search engines have greatly increased the speed of searching out information. They have brought considerable relief to teachers in secondary school, as they can conveniently walk and browse lessons and discussion and have access to unlimited information. According to Ejizu (2010), the Internet is a global network made up of many smaller networks that enable computer users to share information and resources quickly and easily. The above definition implies that the Internet is a connection of millions of computers around the globe such that one of the connected computers could have access to any information stored in these computers within the global village. One may also describe the Internet as a tool that connects various types of computers to one another in a way that a computer on the Internet can communicate and share information with other computers in the network of networks, even though there may be no direct physical connection between them.

The Internet is very useful to public school teachers’ especially in Nigeria because it enables them to have access to timely, accurate and relevant information that can be used for their lesson According Owolabi (2007) maintains that the Internet has become the market place for learning and online education. Contributing to this, Ojedokun (2001) points out that the Internet has broken down barriers of communication and information access from any part of the World and that it allows users to have access to information and offers them opportunity to access up-to-date research. Due to the endless nature of information resources on the Internet, schools and libraries are increasingly investing in provision of Internet services and resources to enable their clients have better access to their information.

Furthermore, with the current interest in creating a society of lifelong learners, it is evident that public school teachers (that is, those persons who provide education for pupils) must be able to find, evaluate, and use information that is constantly changing. According to Berkowitz (2002) reports that information and technology skills are the ‘new basics’ and being able to find and use information more effectively is essential to the success of teachers in public school. The Internet brought about a free flow of information all over the globe. One could possibly get access to any kind of information on almost everything. There have been several important observations on the changes in the way information is accessed since the advent of the Internet. Information on the other hand can be defined as facts, ideas, signs, symbols, pictures and processed data which when received and understood can improve the knowledge state of the receiver in a given situation or phenomenon. The fact is that for information to be useful it must be accessible.

Accessibility is a key aspect of usage and can be refers to the ability to use a product or service effectively. In the internet parlance, internet access is the process that enables individuals to connect to the internet using computers and mobile device. Hicks (2002), concludes that the Internet is a double-edged sword, as students can use it to access any educational database, learn about any country, they can also be subjected to perverse and deviant topics. Once connected user gain access to information. The use of the internet entails the process of utilizing the information resource on the internet. In line with this, Oketunji (2001) asserts that Internet gives us access to a vast wealth of knowledge and access to tools that facilitate research. The Internet offers the opportunity to conduct remote classes, allow access to remote libraries, and create an environment innovative and cooperative learning experiences. Internet has become an important and reliable tool for information retrieval. Once connected to the internet, it is possible to access a wide range of services from around the world. This is so as the advent of internet, teachers and students can work together without physical interaction between each other and achieve the same objectives with that of traditional way of studying. Teachers exchange ideas and communicate effectively since teaching, learning and research is now made easy with the internet.

It is pertinent to note that effective teaching is essential for effective learning. The process of teaching has become more complex of late such that computer and internet literacy play significant roles in education. According to Schneider, Evans and Pinard, (2006) opines that in Today world, the Internet can link all online computers so that people can use it to communicate throughout the world. Due to internet illiteracy of some teachers because of the educational level still pride themselves as being internet literate, the fact still remains that some are yet to acclimatize with the internet. In this context the study focused on finding the access and use of internet as a source of information for academic works by public school teachers.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It has been observed in this contemporary information age that the Internet has increasingly become an invaluable asset in education in terms of learning, teaching and research. Its role in information handling, packaging, storing, retrieving and dissemination is at the root of any meaningful academic enterprise all over the world. The Internet is now prominent in making information and data available to researchers. However, Due to internet illiteracy of some teachers and because of their educational background/level still pride themselves as being internet literate, the fact still remains that some are yet to acclimatize with the internet, In line with this, Kilimci Songül (2010), assert that teachers might find it difficult to use ICT in their classrooms due to the rapid technological development and lack of knowledge/experience of and familiarity with ICT. It is quite regrettable that despite the numerous advantages of internet, most teachers do not know how to 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 teachers. The inability of teachers to overcome these problems automatically makes it impossible to explore the potentials of the Internet. Hence, it becomes imperatives to find out the accessibility and use of Internet as source of information for academic works by public school teachers in Esan-west local Government, Ekpoma, Edo state.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of this study is the accessibility and use of internet as a source of information for academic works by public school teachers in Ekpoma, Edo State.

The specific objectives for the study are to:

Find out if Public school teachers have access to the internet.
Determine the extent of Internet use by Public school teachers.
Investigate the purpose of using of Internet by Public school teachers for their academic work.
Find out the impact of internet use on public school teachers.
Find out the challenges encountered by public school teachers when using the Internet services for their academic work.

1.4 Research Questions

The following are the research questions which will be address in the study;

How often do public school teachers access the internet to support their academic work?
To what extent do Public school teachers use the Internet?
What is the purpose of using Internet by Public school teachers?
What is the impact of internet use by public school teachers?
What are the challenges encountered using the Internet by Public school teachers for their academic work?

1.5 Scope of Study

This study will be limited to investigating internet as source of information for academic work by public school teachers in ten selected public schools in Ekpoma, Edo state.

1.6 Significant of the Study

This study is expected to enlighten and broaden the knowledge of public school teachers on how effective of using internet as a source of information and incorporating the findings into the teaching process.

The study will also be helpful to school administration, government agencies, ministry of education and policy makers as it will enable them to realize the use of Internet in education and thus work towards reflecting it in their educational policies and programs. Also, it will serve as a framework and guideline to them in establishing effective Internet network and maintain the existing ones to enable the teachers have easily access to the Internet.

Finally, the study will help future researchers’ study as it will go a long way in making them realize the need for further studies in this area and will form a bedrock for further studies. Also this study will add to the existing literature in the field and also serve as a guide for researcher who wishes to carry out further research in related areas.

1.7 Limitation of Study

It is pertinent to say no research is perfect. Although conscious efforts have been made to ensure that the data collected was valid and findings reliable. Nevertheless, there could be some sources of errors prior to financial and time constraint, and also the literature and tools used in carrying out this research work was not easy to come by.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

The under- listed terms are used in the research work in the sense, in which they are defined here under;

Internet: a network of linked computers which are located at different point all over the world to provide easy communication between persons and organizations no matter where they are located.

Internet use: the utilization of the internet.

Web: a form of a multimedia system of sound, pictures, files, videos for finding information in the internet.

Public school: a school supported by public funds.

Teacher: a person who provides education for pupils or students. They teach specific area of study.

Information: data, presented in readily comprehensible form to which meaning has been attributed within a context for it uses.

Accessibility: the ability to have or access something in order to use it for one self.

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A STUDY OF SECURITY CHALLENGES AND CRIME PREVENTION IN UNIVERSITIES LIBRARIES

ABSTRACT

This research is on a study of security challenges and crime prevention in universities libraries in Edo State. The researcher adopted Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa University library Benin Cityas a case study. To guide this study, six research questions were formulated. The total enumeration techniques was adopted for the study since the population size is small. Hence the total population of 94 library staff was selected for the study. Questionnaire were designed and was administered to the respondents so as to generate data for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using tables and simple percentage. The findings revealed that insecurity and crime in academic library have resulted in low patronage by library users and drastic reduction of library materials to a very high extent. Text books, reference materials, serials materials, religious materials, graphical materials etc are vulnerable to security and crime in academic library and this have resulted in drastic reduction of library resources. It was recommended that the government alongside the school authorities should furnish libraries with sufficient volumes of quality, knowledge-enhancing and sought-after materials for students to access at all time; electronic security system like Close Circuit Television (CCTV) should be installed in academic libraries and users should be thoroughly searched before entering and leaving the premises.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Libraries are institutions set up to cater for the educational, cultural, research, recreational and information needs of their users. Libraries have the main objectives of being entrusted with the selection, acquisition, organisation, storage and dissemination of information to their patrons. In medicine, prevention is better than cure, and also in libraries good preventive measures particularly of storage, security and crime should be on alert so as to prevent damage and missing of books. The art of prevention is as old as human civilization. Since the innovation of writing, mankind has been faced with the problem of prevention. Documents have been existed in one form or the other and it is natural for man to attempt to secure, manage and prevent them from deterioration (Edoka, 2000).

Libraries have been seen as one of the pillars of civilization no nation can function effectively without the use of library. The word “library” is derived from a Latin word “liber” which means a book. This is a good reason to believe that the root concept of library is deeply embedded in our ways of thinking about the world and coping with its constraints. In its primary role as guardian of the social memory, there are many parallels with the ways in which the human memory orders, stores and retrieves the information necessary for survival. Alokun (2003) affirm that “libraries are essentially established to cater for the information needs of different categories of users which covers different aspects of life, such as political, economical, social and cultural aspects”.

Udensi and Sadiku (2005) defined academic libraries as “library attached to institution of higher learning or tertiary institution such as universities, colleges of education, polytechnics and colleges of technologies”. An academic library, being a complex institution must have large quantities of materials to meet the demands of the numerous students, lecturers and faculty officers; therefore there is need to protect the materials in the library form factors such as theft, mutilation, deterioration. The threat to intellectual property through theft, mutilation and other form of abuse has been posed tremendous challenge to the library profession worldwide. According to Aziagba (2008), incidents of theft, non-return of materials and mutilation of library stock are on the increase. These unwanted acts need a serious tackle in academic libraries.

Libraries in the universities and other tertiary institutions play an important role to students, lecturers and researchers within the institution. It enables its users gain access to a wide range of information resources which help to facilitate learning, teaching and research. Benson Idahosa University library and Ambrose Alli University library were also establish to meet the needs of users within the university. However, one major challenge of above libraries have been faced with is security problems, that is, how to secure their valuable resources collected over time and prevention of resources from mutilation and theft within the library. It was observe by the researcher that the state of these library resources are getting worse by the day; as theft and mutilation is on the increase by the day. Although measures have been put in place to handle these problems, but there seems to be problems as librarians in Ambrose Alli University and Benson Idahosa University often don’t carry out proper check on users if they took materials/books that are not borrowed from the library.

According to Anunobi and Okoye (2008) who opined that academic libraries are faced with challenge of security management for prevention of theft of print and non-print resources in the academic libraries. There is need for academic libraries to ensure accessibility and effective use to make an effective program of collection security necessary. This programme must include assessment of collection security management for prevention of incessant book thefts are the measures use in curbing security infringement. Material theft is identified as the most common crime in libraries, one which has been on the increase for many years. Theft and conscious damage of books are difficult to combat because the risk of getting caught is very low, while the likelihood of success is high. Criminal activities in academic libraries are not limited to library information materials alone but theft of properties such as handbags, purses, calculators and notebooks are equally common. The extent, nature and rate at which these crimes occur vary from one academic library to another.

The crimes, which are committed by some users of the academic libraries, have deprived many others from fully achieving their information needs. Vandalism, mutilation, defacement, theft, arson, etc. are problem regularly encountered by the users of these libraries. Libraries adopt various types of charging system, such as Brown charging system, etc. some libraries have computerised their charging system to make their operations faster. Whichever system a library adopts, it is one of the means of detecting stolen books since dues dates are always in the data due ship of each book borrowed. Although most academic libraries have library committees which assist in regulating the activities of the library, only very little is done on security and crime prevention in libraries.

The goals of the security system in the libraries is to provide a safe and secure capability for library employees, library resources and equipment and library patrons. At the same time, the security system must perform these functions as seamlessly as possible, without interfering with the library’s objective of easily and simply providing patron services. This study explores security management for prevention of book thefts in academic library and measure used As information professional, we have a responsibility to mankind; to explore the possibilities of findings method of securing, managing and preventing library and information materials and to ensure their continued availability for as long as possible, remembering that prevention is better than cure.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

Over the years, many factors have been militating against security management in library settings, these range from environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, dust and light to natural disaster such as flood, fire, earthquake and tornado. Equal important are the acts of user delinquency such as theft, mutilation and bad attitudes towards library collections. In Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa University Benin City libraries, the management put in place some security measures to safeguard the security of the library collections. The researcher observed that the measures seem to be inadequate, leaving a yearning gap in meeting the security requirements of the libraries. Literatures have also shown that academic librarians and other library staffs who are supposed to implement the laid down rules and regulations as a medium of reducing crime often contribute to the problems of insecurity in the library.

A critical look at Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa University library Benin City, most libraries of institutions of higher learning in Nigeria have similar problems of security challenges. It is therefore essential to try to understand what libraries have done and are doing to ensure the safety of their collection by evaluating the current conditions under which they are housed and used. It is on this premise that this study investigated the security risk management in selected academic libraries in Edo State, Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective is to examine a study of security challenges and crime prevention in university libraries in Edo State. Specifically the study is designed to:

Ascertain the extent to which security and crime have affected materials in academic libraries in Edo state.
Identify information materials that are vulnerable to security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State
Determine factors that are responsible for security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State
Identify the effects of security and crime on library processes in Academic libraries in Edo State
Determine the strategies for combating security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State

1.4 Research Questions

This study sought answers to the following questions.

To what extent has security and crime affected materials in Academic libraries in Edo State?
What are the information materials that are vulnerable to security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State?
What are the main factors that are responsible for security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State?
What are the effects of security and crime on information materials in Academic libraries in Edo State?
What are the strategies that could be used to address security and crime in Academic libraries in Edo State?

1.5 Scope of Study

This research is based on a study of security challenges and crime prevention in university libraries in Edo State in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Benson Idahosa library University, Benin City.

1.6 Significance of Study

The significance of this study is based on the need to improve the security management for prevention of book theft of the Academic library, especially as it relates to the research as well as to re-examine the roles of the university library so as to achieve the stated objectives. Hence, the study becomes valuable as its findings if used will help to rendering solutions to the problems of security and crime management for prevention of incessant book thefts, University libraries are not always safe and secure places and they are facing a wide variety of security concerns which includes the theft and mutilation of library materials. The results of a number of library studies reported that most libraries in Edo State are having problem with security management for prevention of library information resources.

1.7 Conceptual Definition of Terms

Comparative: Observation of the similarities or dissimilarities between two or more branches of science or subjects of study.

Security: protection of a person, building, organization, or country against threats such as crime or attacks by foreign countries.

Crime: A crime is an act committed to omitted, in violation of a public law, either forbidding or commanding it, a breach or violation of some public right or duty due to a whole community, considered as a community.

Prevention: The act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something.

Challenges: (The situation of being faced with) something that needs great metal or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person’s ability.

Academic library: An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution which serves two complementary purposes to support the school’s curriculum, and to support the research of the university faculty and students.

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AVAILABILITY AND USE OF SERIAL COLLECTIONS BY STUDENTS

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 21^st 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.

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THE EXTENT OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA BY STUDENTS FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

Social media are fast becoming very popular means of both interpersonal and public communication in Nigeria and the world at large. Social media are modern interactive communication channels through which people connect to one another, share ideas, experiences, pictures, messages and information of common interest. What distinguishes the social media from the conventional means of communication is their interactive nature which allows the audience to participate in it from any part of the world they reside. McQuail (2010) differentiates the social media from the traditional mass media when he noted that “traditional mass communication was essentially one-directional, while the new forms of communication are essentially interactive.” This interactive aura of the new media confers an unprecedented popularity on them. The social media by their nature have the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and „inflaming‟ the audience. Above all, they possess a „contagious and outreaching influence‟ which the conventional media lack. This potential is most likely what Osahenye (2012) refers to as “unstoppable power of the social media.” As a novel phenomenon, it is necessary to examine how Nigerian students use the new means of communication. This is because it is observed that students’ contribution as youths can make or mar any nation.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Okolloh cited by Essoungou (2010), explains that, “the new communication technology is one of the 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 social 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 played in the recent uprising which rocked the Middle-East popularly referred to as „Arab Spring‟ could be deciphered as credence to the above academics‟ observation. Now just like radio or television stations, social media sites spread everywhere in Nigeria and are bound to be sprouting as technologies continue to improve; however, the problem lies in the point that the purposes which the users apply the new media for are still obscure. This is what Folorunso, Vincent, Adekoya and Adewale (2010), perceived when they argue generally that, “in Africa, social media networking site is becoming widely spread than it has ever been before and it tends to be majorly accepted by the youths. Yet the widespread adoption by users of these sites is not clear, as it appears that people‟s perception of this technology is diverse.”

Social media tools are rapidly changing the communications landscape. Their emergence has impacted significantly how students learn and the way instructors teach. In today higher education settings, instructors, students, and others collaborate on the tasks of knowledge construction.The influence of social media on learning and teaching environments is growing more each year.

Social media applications can reinforce class material and positively influence discussions, collaborative work, and authoring. Educators and researchers are constantly experimenting with social media technologies hoping to stimulate critical thinking skills, collaboration and knowledge construction. Social media technologies offer the capability to both receive and create content with the hope that a collective intelligence emerges. The goal is to improve students’ learning experiences to prepare them to enter a workforce that is not geographically constrained and expects them to have highly developed online collaboration skills. The pursuit of such benefits drives academics to incorporate new technological approaches in their teaching methodology.

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 & Haenlein 2010). Social media encourage, support and enable people to easily and effectively share knowledge through different technologies.

Social media can be defined as “collaborative online applications and technologies which enable and encourage participation, conversation, openness, creation and socialization amongst a community of users”. Also, 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 (Bowley, 2007).

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 Media are media that allow users to meet online via the Internet, communicate in social forum like Facebook, Twitter, etc., and other chat sites, where users generally socialise by sharing news, photo or ideas and thoughts, or respond to issues and other contents with other people. Common examples of social media are the popular social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Flicker, etc. Social Media is an interactive media format that allows users to interact with each other as well as send and receive content from and to each other generally by means of the Internet.

Social media are technologies that facilitate social interaction, make possible collaboration, and enable deliberation by stakeholders across boundaries, time and space. These technologies include: blogs, wikis, media (audio, photo, video, text) sharing tools, networking platforms (including Facebook), and virtual worlds (Bryer and Zavatarro, 2011). The rise of social media sites as another platform on the internet has gained popularity over the last decade. The sites have attracted millions of users worldwide (Boyd, & Ellison, 2007) due to this fact many people are changing the outlet where they search for news, information, business and entertainment. These social media sites let those who use them create personal profiles, while connecting with other users of the sites. Users can upload photographs and post what they are doing at any given time.

The social media by their nature have the capabilities of educating, informing, entertaining and inflaming the audience. Above all, they possess a contagious and outreaching influence which the conventional media lack. This potential is most likely what Osahenye (2012) refers to as “unstoppable power of the social media.Abubakar, (2011), posits that social media, which include blogs (political Blog), networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), video sharing (YouTube) audio sharing (Podcast), mobile sites (2go etc.), image or picture sharing (flicker), etc. have the capacity of boosting participation because of their open, conversational nature, connectedness and textual and audio-visual characteristic appeals.

In a study conducted on Social media usage among Youths in Nigeria,Ajewole,Olowu, and Fasola, (2012), concluded that majority of the respondents spend more time on social networking sites, whichaffects their productivity negatively. The findings of this study also indicate that youths in Nigeria are spending too much time on social media at the detriment of other necessary things such as their studies.

A study conducted in 2013 to find out students’ use of social media revealed that student view social media for the purposes of self-development, leisurely entertainment, to watch films, to expose themselves to phonography discuss serious national issues like politics, economy, and religious matters on the new media (Ezeah, Euphemia, Asogwa and Obiorah, 2013).

Nigeria, a country with population of 167 million people (census 2006), 115 million mobile telephone subscribers and million internet users, has been described as the biggest internet and mobile market (NCC 2013). Today in Nigeria there are over 1000 social media sites, which include social, educational, entertainment and gossip, etc. One common feature of most of these sites is that their names are usually associated with a tag name Naijaor Nigeria.

The mass appeal of social media on the internet could be a cause for concern, particularly considering the gradually increasing amount of time youths spend online. In Nigeria, undergraduates spend more time on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites through smartphones that are now in abundance among them and most of them cannot go for two-three hours without checking and updating their profiles on these social media even at the detriment of other activities such as educational and career pursuit. (Idankwo,2011). The numerous problems of social media usage have recently been the major focus of attention worldwide. Issues of fraud, identity thefts, pornography and countless other negative influences associated with social media in general have been a cause of concern for scholars and authorities worldwide. There are increasing concerns on the use of social media for Internet crimes ranging from hacking to recruitment for terrorism.

The convergence of information and communication technologies as typified by the Internet is increasingly having more influence on all aspects of the society as it has become an integral part of the daily lives of many people. It has had a transformative impact on the mode of information sharing and access globally. Information and knowledge disseminated through the slow process of oral communications or with paper materials can now be transferred rapidly from an individual to an infinite number of users through a number of media and formats. The Internet is the fastest growing communication technology and has emerged as a major source of information that connects people, data and other computers, reducing the world to the much talked-about global village. Amichai-Hamburger and Hayat (2010) described the Internet as the creation of a continuous stream of computers linked together to form one grid, which enables interaction among hundreds of millions of people browsing the net.

Whereas the television revolution reached 50 million viewers in 13 years, the same feat was attained in only four years by the Internet (Molosi, 2001). Aqil and Ahmad (2011) averred that the Internet places information on our finger tips and that it is everywhere, knocking at our door, making our life easy and smooth in enhancing self development and promoting learning among students.

The education sector was among those that first embraced the use of Internet, and it has continued to broaden the breadth and depth of opportunities within institutions of higher learning worldwide. The Internet serves as a useful tool in support of the various educational activities that ranged from research to teaching. The Internet technology and computers has made it possible for students to be active learners and allowed instructors to be facilitators. Jackson, et al. (2011) remarked that the Internet will level the educational playing field due to its availability to everyone, everywhere, and any time, irrespective of gender, race/ethnicity, income or other socio-demographic characteristics. Thus, the Internet is a vital tool that will propel University education to greater heights as the world move further into the knowledge-based economy.

Universities worldwide now invest a lot on internet access because it reduces the time between the production and utilization of knowledge; improves co-operation and exchange of ideas with fellow researchers in other institutions, regions or countries, furthers the sharing of information; and promotes multidisciplinary research. Today, survival in academics without the Internet is hardly imaginable. The Internet has found useful applications in online data repositories, library catalogues, journals, news services, student and financial administration systems, online supported or solely online conducted teaching, as well as in digital communication with fellow students and lecturers. Other contemporary uses of Internet by students include purchasing, entertainment, and even dating. The investigation of how the Internet fits into the daily life of staff and students at educational institutions is worthwhile when one considers the ubiquitous and all pervasive communications tool features of the Internet. Consequently, studies have been carried out in many places to understand how University students use the Internet, the purposes for which the students use the Internet, the search engines used, their Internet skills as well as problems that hinder efficient Internet use.

The Internet is very useful to university students and staff in Nigeria because it enables them to have access to timely, accurate and relevant information that cannot be obtained from library shelves. Internet searching helps university students to boost their intellectual development and job preparation. Due to the endless nature of information resources on the Internet, libraries are increasingly investing in provision of Internet services and resources to enable their clients have better access to the information. The Internet connections also constitute a highly visible service in every library and the librarians and their clients have embraced it in their daily work. Academic libraries now run information literacy courses to educate faculty members and students on skills to access, retrieve and evaluate information resources from the Internet.

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). It is the light of the above that this research work will seek to the use of social media by Part-time students in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Social media has influenced the educational system in Nigeria universities. Its introduction has played a significant role for self development, administration, teaching and learning in both collegies and universities. However, from research dimension, many researchers have tried to write about one aspect or another on the subject of use of social media by students in Nigeria but not much has been carried out in the area of the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

Also, several studies has dealt on the impact of the use of social media by undergraduate students and its influence on their academic performance, and the use of social media by part-time students have not been employed. Hence this study was designed to investigate the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general Objective of the study is to examine the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State. The specific objectives of the study are to:

Examine the use of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Examine the extent of usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Examine the purpose of the usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Determine benefits of using social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.
Challenges facing the use of social media site by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study.

Are social media used by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
To what extent is social media used by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the purposes of the usage of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the benefits of using social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?
What are the challenges facing the use of social media by part-time students in Ambrose Alli University?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This research work centered on the extent of using social media by part-time students for self development in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma Edo State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be of great significant to students. It is expected that the output of this research will benefit students in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State specially the part-time students under study. It will help to determine the level of the students’ usage of social media. This help to enlighten the students of using social media and as well as the precaution necessary to take in the, use of social media site. The outcome of this study will also help the lecturers and university how best to sustain the students’ attention on using social media and the immense benefit on the use of social media. 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.

Also the findings could be used by academic advisers and counselors to proffer professional advice to the university authorities on how to regulate the social media usage among part-time students of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.

Again, 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.

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.

1.7 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 Web2.0 and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.

Social Networking: Social Networking is 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.

Tertiary: This refers to as the third stage, third level and post- secondary education in the higher learning.

Institution: An institution is defined as a process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, belief and habits.

Students: According to Merriam Webster dictionary, a student is a person who attends a school, college or university.

Part-Time: According to oxford advanced learner dictionary 8^th edition define part-time as part of day or week in which people work or study.

Self Development: Is defined as the process of taking steps to better yourself, such as by learning new skills or overcoming bad habit. It also a process whrerby a person character or ability are gradually developed.

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A SURVEY OF THE USE OF SMARTPHONE FOR ACADEMIC WORKS

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 students of Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used. From a population of 25,000 students, a sample of 394 students was drawn using Taro Yamene Formula. 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 students for their academic works. Result also shows smartphones has made tremendous impact on their 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 management to collaborate with IT companies to develop smartphones capable of supporting their seeking of information which improve students’ academic performance. Furthermore, 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 information.

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THE INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION LITERARY SKILLS ON THE USE OF E-LIBRARY RESOURCES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the influence of information literacy skills on the use of e-library resources by part-time undergraduate students of Kaduna State University. 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.

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THE IMPACT OF POOR FUNDING ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine the impact of poor funding on public libraries in Nigeria using the Edo State Library Board as a case study. Survey research method was employed for the study. Also, total enumeration sampling technique was used due to the small population size. Thirteen (13) respondents made up the population size of the survey. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Frequency table and percentage were used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed the alternatively sources for funding the public library. Findings showed that there is inadequate fund to acquire relevant up to date materials, hence some recommendations were made. These include; the people of the state should be made to understand that the public libraries are theirs and such should help in financing them. This amongst other recommendations was made.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The public library is a social institution, which is tied to the political and social realities of the communities where it is situated. As the name implies, this is a library that served the public.

UNESCO (2012) Defines public library as a local centre of information, making all kind of knowledge available to users. The services of the public library are provided on the basis of access for all regarded of age race sex religion nationality or social status. Specific services and materials must be provided for those who can not for whatever reason use the regular services and materials. In age groups most fined materials relevant to their needs. High quality and relevant to local needs and conditions are fundamental. Material must reflects current trend and evolutions of the societies as were as the memory of human endeavors and imagination. Collection and services are not subjected to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship or commercial pressure.

According to the oxford dictionary, public library is a non-profit library established for use of the general public and maintained drifty by public funds.

Public library has been defined variously by different individuals. Many see it as a place built for the inflection of books and other printed resources and the personal to provide and interpret such resources as required to meet the information, research, educational, recreational, cultural and aesthetic needs of the various users and it is usually financed with public funds. The public library’s clientele is heterogeneous and devoid of race, rank, status, bias as to who would avail of its services. It stocks every conceivable item that would add knowledge education, research, information and cultural needs to the society. In Nigeria today. Each of the 36 states including the FCT, Abuja has a public library board established under the public library act as United Kingdom (UK), but here in Nigeria, library board a state is established by edict or laws made by the state legislators.

Public library funding refers to making money available for the day to day running of the libraries. Finance is the live-wire of any established including land, labour, capital and entrepreneur and information. The capital here refers to finance which can be used to procure other factors of production thereby making it more important than others. Fund is obviously the major element in every established. It is equally the working capital of an establishment.

Public library funding generally means the various ways we derive the expected funds for capital and recurrent expenses. It involves the money available or allocation to for running its day-to-day activities. However, the funding and financial allocations to public libraries have remained poor decodes. Public libraries need adequate resources to run their services, pay and hire personnel, provide current information, arrange organize and monitor both human and material resources. Nigeria is a developing country and its society is not a reading society. Nigerians do not appreciate the importance and needs of public libraries and the services it offers and this problem reflects in the level of fund allocated to it by the government state government subventions which constitute about 80% of public libraries funds is grossly inadequate. This inadequacy is because of the political instability and bas economy of the country.

Late release of fund by the government is another problem; it means things cannot be done when required. All the plans of public library are hampered by late release of fund. Another problem is the existing infrastructural facilities in most public libraries are inadequate. Most of their reference materials are too old. There are no separate rooms for music library and audio-visual materials, and no rooms for serious library and audio-visual materials, and no rooms for serious readers, especially those carrying out research works. Lack of appreciation by policy makers in government is one of the problems. This shows that the public libraries in the nation are not given recognition and this is traceable not only to the non-quantifiable nature of library services but also the misconception given to libraries by government to get off these problems. There must be a re-orientation on the part of the policy makers in government to accord the public library the recognition it deserves. The problems have adversely affected the public library services and its operations. The result of the impending global economic situation on the other hands has drastically affected the attainment or achievement of basic standards in funding the libraries. From the history of public libraries in Nigeria, the problem of funds has remained an untraceable phenomenon. The Nigeria library association is worried by the poor funding of libraries in general but public libraries in particular. Therefore, the Nigerian libraries Association (NLA) has organized several conferences that highlight the problems of poor funding of public libraries and the need for improved funding. This conference suggested and recommended widening the sources of funding public libraries rather than solely depending on the government.

1.1.1 Historical Background of Edo State Libraries Board, Benin-City

Edo state at a point was the proud owner of some of the best library facilities in the country to the extent that people came from far and near for research work. The libraries in the then Midwest region and later Bendel state were built during the military administration of Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia. Then there was at least a government library in every local government headquarters. The library system so flourished that it even pride itself of having a will library which was explored by legal luminaries and wealthy persons who did not want to create acrimony for their children when they depart the earth.

For years, the Edo state library was a board of its own and was run as an independent body until it was merged with the ministry of education under the supervision of the commissioner of education. The state of the library began to deteriorate in the late 90’s when the military administration of the state group captain Baba Lyiam insisted that all government agencies should be self-sustaining. Students and others were made to pay stipends before they could use the library. The no funding policy of that administration led to the deterioration of the public library as workers made do with the few available books, and no attention was further paid to library facilities.

However, since 1999 when the country returned to the civilian rule, the library board has suffered poor funding even though it blossomed during the time of Ogbemudia, it deteriorated during the time of the military. At a time in Edo state, the public library was a bee hive of activities, but it is no longer so and this has led to the drop in the reading habits of the youths.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In many public libraries, the budgetary allocation are not released as and when due, and this in turn delays the implementation of the programs of those libraries when the funds are eventually released. There is inadequate funding of public libraries by the state government which provides about 80% of the funds required by the public libraries. Shortage of funds have resulted in shortage of relevant text books as currently being experienced by students and researchers who are I need of the materials. Inadequate provision of funds has prevented the provision of current material needs by the staff and client in public libraries. Also, poor appreciation of the services of the library by those at the helm of affairs, how societal rating of the libraries especially public libraries in Nigeria pose a problem to funding of the public libraries.

1.3 Research Questions

What is the major source of fund for public library?
What is the state of funding in public libraries?
Are the public libraries facing any problems?
What are the problems faced by public libraries in Nigeria especially Edo state library Board, Benin city?
What are the other sources of fund available to these public libraries?
What are the problems associated with inadequate funding of libraries in Nigeria?

1.4 Scope of the Study

The scope and literature of this study will enable us to know the funding of public libraries in Nigeria, especially Edo state library board. The investigation is limited to Nigeria and only one type of library which is the public library. Only the staff and users of Edo state library board and other public libraries are to be consulted in the course of this investigation.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will enable us to know the state of public libraries in Nigeria that is the problem facing public libraries in Nigeria. It will also be of importance to the researcher or any other person who is interested in finding out the state of public libraries in Nigeria, especially Edo state library board, Benin City. It will also help us to appreciate the public library as an agent of political social and religious development of a community which can compel them into passing he right judgment and taking the right decision that affects their lives and existence. The topic as expected will be an added literature in this branch of public librarianship.

1.6 Operational Definition of Terms

Subvention: – a subsidy, provision of financial or other support.
Clientele: – the body or class of people who frequent an establishment or purchase a services.
Heterogeneous: – diverse in kind or nature, composed of different parts.
Library: – on institution which holds books and/or forms of stored information for use by the public or qualified people.
Research: – diligent inquiry or examination to seek or revise facts principles, theories, applications, etc.

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MARKETING LIBRARIES SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examined marketing libraries services for sustainable development of academic libraries in Kaduna State Nigeria using Kaduna State University (KASU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria as a case study. The field survey research design was used in this study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The population of this study consist of all undergraduate library and information science students of Kaduna State University (KASU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. A sample size of two hundred (200) undergraduate students in library and information science in two universities in Kaduna State. A total of one hundred and fifty one 151 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple table percentage, mean and standard deviation. It was found that there is need for marketing library services according to academic librarians to achieve the objectives of the library and to enlighten the users on the relevance of library use; several services were available for marketing; several techniques are been employed in marketing library services. It was also evidenced from the findings that the major problems militating against effective marketing of library services include: inadequate fund and lack of effective communication between librarians. The study revealed several strategies in enhancing of marketing library services, these strategies are trainings, seminars and organizing workshop to educate librarians on marketing library services. The study recommended that: More funds should be allocated to develop of libraries by parent organizations and Library management should expose librarians to marketing library services through trainings, conferences.

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METHOD OF COMBATING BOOK THEFT AND VANDALISM IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

ABSTRACT

This study examine the book theft and vandalism in Ahmadu Bello University Library. The study uncovered not only methods of` eradicating theft and vandalism in the library understudy, but also the cause(s) of book theft and vandalism, how book theft and vandalism are committed, how book theft and vandalism affected the administration of the library understudy and ways or methods book theft and vandalism can be prevented from the library system. Some of the strategies identified include; increased public awareness and staff training on collection protection, provision of security personnel within and outside the library premises, provision of adequate photocopying services, provision of more access to information resources, periodical searching of students hostels, introduction of stop and search method, installation of security cameras and provision of electronic resources. The study recommends provisions of adequate photocopying services in the library, the use of electronic books in the library, placing plain clothed security staff in different location of the library, consistent provision of library materials with the national University commission; ration (10.1) that is 10 books per students and honouring the provision of national policy on education by the authorities of higher learning in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Theft and vandalism of library materials is ill wind that blows no one any good. In the most recent times, the problem of theft and vandalism of library book has assumed an alarming dimension. In a study of security problem of university libraries, Nwamefor (1974) described theft and vandalism as anti –social acts which are universal and persistent in spite of orientation talks during freshmen week on care and treatment of books.

Library users seem to have devised various means of vandalizing and stealing of library materials. It does appear that library fraudsters are introducing more complex and sophisticated methods of stealing and vandalism books each time library authorities identified and put measures in place to check already existing methods. That libraries have lost most of its valuable reading materials to theft and vandalism is not on understatement. This practices is not limited to one library alone but cuts across the various types of libraries and this call for concern. To buttress this point Adebayo and Sakor (1999) in a related study quoted Zeidbsy (1987) who observed that: between 1979 and 1989 alone, America academic library reported theft and missing materials including book valued at $ 1.1 million in plates, engraving, books and manuscripts.

According to Ogunyade (2005), Theft and vandalism of books are certainly not new development of our time. Such acts can be traced as far back as 539BC in Egypt when the Persian conquerors removed rolls of papyri from the library of Rames 11 around 41BC. During the Middle Ages library books were chain –locked to prevent them from theft.

From the earliest time to the present, librarian are bothered on how to ensure the protection of library materials from theft and damage. As custodians of library materials and resources, librarians own an obligation to their patrons and users to preserve the library stocks.

Theft and vandalism of library books is a problem for libraries all over the world. It is costly and descriptive for both libraries and library patrons. Book theft is the intentional removal of books from the library in an unauthorized manner.

According to Ogunyade (2005) in many libraries where periodic or regular stock taking is carried out, it was discovered that many books were lost resulting from theft and vandalism are enormous. Typically, libraries lost between 5 and 10% of their collections annually to theft and vandalism.

The threat to intellectual property through theft and vandalism has posed tremendous challenges to the library profession worldwide. According to Jackson (1991), incidents of theft, non –return of materials and vandalization of library stock are on the increase.

According to Izundu (2006), theft and vandalization of library materials is an ill wind that blows no one any good. In the most recent times, the problem of library book theft and vandalism has assumed an alarming dimension. In a study of security problems of university libraries. Harry (2010) reveal that these antisocial activities are more pronounced for almost all third world countries. Ajegbomogun (2004) sees theft and vandalism as a common phenomenon in Nigerian universities and if not checked will create a serious threat to Nigerian library’s collection and preservations.

According to Akor (2013), libraries have been seen as one of the pillars of civilization. No nation can function effectively without the use of a library. The term library means a collection of educational materials organized for use. The word is derived from the Latin word Liber which mean a book. This is a good reason to believe that the root concept of library is deeply embedded in our ways of thinking about the world and coping with its constraints. In its primary role as guardian of the social memory, there are many parallels with the ways in which the human memory orders, stores and retrieved the information necessary for survival.

Alokun (2003) affirm that libraries are essential established to cater for the information needs of different categories of users which covers different economical, social and cultural aspects.

In order to achieve its purposes libraries have to put their best in securing, managing and preventing libraries collections from theft and vandalisation to meet the demand of its heterogeneous clientele.

Library users seem to have devised various means of mutilating and outright stealing of library materials. It does appear that library fraudsters are introducing more complex and sophisticated methods of theft and vandalism each time library authorities identified and put measures in place to check an already existing method.

Gojeh (1999), book vandalism loss reduces the efficiency of libraries in terms of materials resources. Library users become disappointed, frustrated and even losing confidence in the sorts of services provided in the library. He further observed that: vandalism of books, and book theft cost most libraries a considerable sum of money. Some mutilated books must be replaced while others that are badly and mired must be sent to the binding for major or minor surgeries

Akor (2013) stated that the crimes, which are committed by some users of the academic libraries, have deprived many others from fully achieving their information need. Vandalism, mutilation, defacement, theft etc are problems regularly encountered by the users of these libraries.

That problem of theft and vandalism of library materials has crept into Ahmadu Bello University Library system is no exaggeration but confirmed that the ascertain of the researcher that theft and vandalism are not limited to one library alone, but cut across board. But the question is what are the possible methods library fraudsters devise to vandalize and allegedly remove books from the library and what strategies can be put in place in order to combat the library fraudsters devise.

According to Billington (2014), to develop a strategy to address the array of concern associated with the preservation and safekeeping of cultural heritage assets, the library of congress has identified four (4) interrelated components:

Physical security
Bibliographic controls
Inventory control
Preservation

Traditionally, when we thought of security of our collection, we focused on physical security controls. In developing a comprehensive collections security program, there is need to integrate the other three components as well. But physical security remains key. We must ensure the security of our facilities so that our staff, visitors and library collections are safe.

According to Billington (2014), the integrated library system was successfully launched in 1999, to enhance the library bibliographic and item tracking controls. In the same year (1999), the preservation program preserved close to 500,000 items, working in a number of areas, including mass deacidification, conservation treatment, microfilming and binding. These measures will serve the mandates to preserve the library of congress collection for use.

For the purpose of the study, it is assumed that library users exists in the academic library understudy. These users cause damage to library materials. This study will cover the various means and devices to safeguard library materials from being vandalized by obnoxious and antisocial library users.

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THE INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN GOVERNMENT OWNED HEALTH CERTRES IN CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

This is a research project on information seeking behaviour of medical practitioners in government owned health centres in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The research was aimed at finding out the information needs and seeking behaviour of Medical Practitioners in Government Owned Health Centres in Chikun Local Government Area. The research adopted survey method of research due to the nature of the topic, the instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire, literature review, were on theories of information seeking behaviour, information needs and information seeking behaviour of medical practitioners, information sources of medical practitioners and problems medical practitioners face in accessing information. A sample size of 90 from a population size of 122 Local Government health workers working in 23 local government area in Kaduna State was used. The data collected were analysed and interpreted by means of tables and percentages, among the findings are that medical practitioners have needs for information, medical practitioners rely mostly on personal textbooks, periodicals, television broadcast and discussion with colleagues as method of getting information, among the recommendations are that establishment of Public Library Services in rural areas of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Training of Medical and health practitioners on the method of information seeking should be put in place.

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Academic Projects, Data Analysis, & Publishing

Category Archives: Library and Information Science

INTERNET AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION

ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF INTERNET AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR ACADEMIC WORKS BY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

ABSTRACT

A STUDY OF SECURITY CHALLENGES AND CRIME PREVENTION IN UNIVERSITIES LIBRARIES

A STUDY OF SECURITY CHALLENGES AND CRIME PREVENTION IN UNIVERSITIES LIBRARIES

ABSTRACT

AVAILABILITY AND USE OF SERIAL COLLECTIONS BY STUDENTS

AVAILABILITY AND USE OF SERIAL COLLECTIONS BY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

A SURVEY OF THE USE OF SMARTPHONE FOR ACADEMIC WORKS

THE INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION LITERARY SKILLS ON THE USE OF E-LIBRARY RESOURCES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY

THE IMPACT OF POOR FUNDING ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

THE IMPACT OF POOR FUNDING ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

MARKETING LIBRARIES SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

METHOD OF COMBATING BOOK THEFT AND VANDALISM IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

METHOD OF COMBATING BOOK THEFT AND VANDALISM IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

ABSTRACT

THE INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN GOVERNMENT OWNED HEALTH CERTRES IN CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.