An evaluation of legal information resources and services in academic law libraries of selected universities in Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the legal resources and services at the law libraries in the faculties of law in four Universities in Edo State, Nigeria. The study examined the type of services rendered in these libraries, the problems confronting these libraries in the provision of such services and the adequacy of facilities, equipment and resources. Two hundred and fifty structured questionnaires were distributed to law students in the four universities offering law programmes in Edo State. These are Universities of Benin, Ambrose Alli, Benson Idahosa and Igbinedion. One hundred and eighty (72%) were filled and returned. The study revealed that law library service facilities were moderately available, legal resources were grossly not available, and there were moderate services being rendered in law libraries. Also, there were high rate of problems confronting the discharge of duties in law libraries and there is the need for strategies for improving library services to be adopted in law libraries. The study recommends that training of staff should be encouraged and funding made available for the provision of facilities and equipment.