Evaluation of the Extent of Utilization of Electronic Library Resources and Services by Undergraduate Students in University of Calabar Library, Calabar – Nigeria

Abstract

An evaluation of the extent of utilization of electronic Library resources and services by undergraduate students in the University of Calabar, Nigeria, was carried out. The survey research design was used in this study whose population consisted of all registered undergraduate library users in the 2013/2014 academic session. Accidental sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents out of a total population of 4, 211 registered users. Questionnaire and direct observation were the instruments used for data collection. The data generated was analysed using descriptive statistics (simple percentage). The study revealed that the respondents became aware of the e-library mostly through library management efforts involving directional signs, freshmen orientation and library use education programme among others. The study further reported varying degrees of frequency and extent of utilization of, as well as increase duration of usage which could be attributed to some improvements in the development and provision of EIRS in services over the years. Benefit of the e-library facility as indicated by respondents ranged from academic to social networking, with attendant challenges of slow speed of internet access, inadequate numbers of computers, irregular power supply among others. The impact of e-library was revealed to include: global access to relevant resources, ease of communication, and increase in level of academic achievement among others.It was recommended in the study that there should be a holistic user education programme for library users, the number of computers in the e-library should be increased, e-library staff should be trained with the requisite technical skills to manage the resources effectively and the directorate of ICT should ensure improve internet access and networking within the University Community.