Physically Challenged Undergraduates" Satisfaction with Library and Information Services in Kwara State Higher Institutions

Abstract

Despite the fact that academic libraries put their effort to satisfy the needs of their users, they however still neglect some group of users (physically challenged) in the information and service provision. This study was therefore undertaken to find out the physically challenged undergraduates satisfaction with library and information services in Kwara State higher education institutions. Survey research design was adopted to give in-depth information about the study while data was collected through questionnaire. Five research questions were answered by study. The results revealed that information needs of the physically challenged undergraduates in the various higher institutions are the same. The level of availability and accessibility of information materials and services to these groups of users was also revealed in the study. Limitations such as non-inclusion of the physically challenged students in the decision making process of the library as well as unavailability of specific information materials that suits the disability of the physically challenged students in the library was also identified. Based on these findings, the study recommends training of library staff to meet the needs of physically challenged users and inclusion of these special group of users in the decision making process of the library concerning their collection development.