An evaluation of availability and use of electronic resources by auchi polytechnic students

Abstract

The availability and use of electronic resources by students at Auchi Polytechnic were investigated in this study. The study used a descriptive survey method, with a questionnaire as the data gathering tool. During the study, a total of six thousand, five hundred and sixty-two (6562) students were found to register with the library. However, during the study time, a total of 354 pupils (354) were discovered at the library and were subsequently taken as the respondents of the study. For the study, a purposeful sampling strategy was used, and only students who were found in the library throughout the study period were used. The survey found that female students used the library more than their male counterparts and that both sexes had low library visitation. The survey also found that the polytechnic library has a limited number of electronic materials. Poor network/bandwidth, erratic power supply, an ineffective e-library section at the school, lack of library management software, lack of trained ICT librarians, and difficulties retrieving specific e-resources were also discovered as major challenges students faced when using electronic resources in the study. The study concluded that the fifth law of librarianship asserts that a library is a developing organism, and as such, the Auchi polytechnic library must evolve through embracing information and communication technologies in order to provide students with 21st century library services. In order to deliver 21st century compliance library services to 21st century polytechnic students, the study recommended that the polytechnic and library management should embark on total library automation/digitization.