Use of Periodicals among Libraryand Information SciencePostgraduate Students in UniversityLibraries in Nigeria

Abstract

Rationale of Study – This paper investigated the use of periodicals among Libraryand Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students in university libraries inNigeria. The objectives were to explore the activities performed (use ofperiodicals) by postgraduate students in university libraries, ascertain the purposesof using periodicals, and determine the frequency at which postgraduate studentsuse periodicals.Methodology – The data for the study was gathered through a two-pagequestionnaire administered to 404 respondents who were accessible in the libraryand LIS departments. Three hundred eighty-eight (388) questionnaires wereretrieved, representing a 96% return rate. The data were analysed statistically.Findings – The survey results showed that searching for particular information,downloading from open-access databases, locating multiple sources fromperiodicals, and reading in the library are the activities performed by postgraduatestudents while using periodicals.Implications – The findings of this study may be used by the universitymanagement and librarians to develop policies that will improve the subscriptionof searchable databases that encourage the usage of periodicals and otherinformation resources among students within and outside the university libraries.Originality – Though other studies have dealt with library usage, little, or no study,has been conducted on the activities (interaction) performed by users. This paperis the outcome of original research that has not been submitted elsewhere forpublication.