International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology

Research Institute for Knowledge Content Development & Technology (건국대학교 지식콘텐츠연구소)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Availability and Utilization of Library Portal Services for Research in University Libraries in Nigeria

  • Ejikeme, Anthonia Nwamaka (Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka) ;
  • F., Obayi Uche. (Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria) ;
  • Ukamaka, Eze Jacintha (Department of Library and Information Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology)
  • Received : 2020.06.10
  • Accepted : 2021.02.08
  • Published : 2021.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This research paper delved into the availability and utilization of library portal services for research in university libraries in Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The study was carried out in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and Felix Aghagbo Nwako Library, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Library (UNIZIK), Awka. A total of 70 professionals (librarians and system analysts) in these libraries supplied data for the study. Data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. These were used to answer the research questions while the null hypotheses were tested using t-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance and 68 degree of freedom. Major findings showed that portal services available in the library showed that the areas of availability of library portal services in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, U.N.N. includes Agriculture, Health Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences and information about institution, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences. In Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library, Awka, the areas of Portal Library Services include Career Development, Federal Government Programs, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Engineering, and Health Sciences. Findings on extent of utilization of portal services available in the libraries indicated that portal services are utilized to a low extent in the university libraries. Furthermore, librarians did not significantly differ in their opinions on the availability of library portal services and on the extent of utilization of library portal services in the libraries under study. It is therefore recommended that provisions should be made by the universities and library management to provide and update required portal services in addition to creating enabling environment for enhanced access and utilization of these services. The governments must make an effort to provide funds for policy implementation, necessary technology training for librarians and users, and develop general information infrastructure.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The researchers wish to acknowledge the heads of the libraries and the librarians in the libraries used for the study. They also appreciate the efforts of the research assistants that assisted in data collection, the statistician that guided them in data analysis and their senior colleagues in their places of work for giving them the time to complete the research logistics.

References

  1. Ajayi, N. A., & Adetoye, J. O. (2005). Utilization of Library Books to Enhance Academic Excellence in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: A Case of Hezekiah Oluwasmi Library, OAU, lle- Ife. Journal of Social Science, 10(12), 119-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2005.11892467
  2. Anunobi, C. V., & Okoye, I. B. (2008). The Role of Academic Libraries in Universal Access to Print and Electronic Resources in the Developing Countries. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-5. http://futospace.futo.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/1423
  3. Ashcroft, L., & Watts, C. (2004). Change Implications related to Electronic Educational Resources. Online Information Review, 28(4). https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/14684520410553778/full/html
  4. Awojobi, E. A. (2004). Determination of Library Use of Lectures in the Faculty of Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoyi. Nigerian libraries, 38(1), 54-47. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jnla
  5. Bhatt, R. (2013). A Study of Library Usage and Satisfaction by Social Scientists at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/963
  6. Bringula, R. P., Sarmiento, J. J., & Basa, R. S. (2017). Computer Self Efficacy and its Relationship with Web Portal Usage: Evidence from the University of the East. International Journal of Computing Sciences Research, 1(1), 24-29. https://doi.org/1025147/ijcar.2017.001.102
  7. Chibunna, J. B., Siwar, C., Begum, R. A., & Mohamed, A. F. (2012), " The Challenges of e-waste Management among Institutions: a Case Study of UKM", Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 59, 644-649. http://www.sciencedirect.com https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.325
  8. Cobb, C., Riley, R., & Earley, S. (2002). LSE for you: London School of Economics Portals Case Study.
  9. Connolly, C. G. (2000). From Static Web Site to Portal. Educause Quarterly, 23(2), 20-28. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2000/1/from-static-web-site-to-portal
  10. Crow, R. (2002). The Case for Institutional Repositories: A SPARC Position Paper. ARL, 223, 1-4. http://www.arl.org/newsltr/223/instrepo.html
  11. Eisler, D. (2001, May 7). Campus Portals: Are We Ready? Connections 2001-Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. http://faculty.Weber.edu/deisler/provost/connection2001/portals.dos
  12. Englert, B. (2003). Portals Trends in Higher Education. Educause Southwest Regional Conference 2003. http://www.educause.edu/asp/doclib/abstract.asp?ID=SWR0304.
  13. Enweani, U. V. (2018). Challenges of Managing University Libraries in Contemporary Digital Environment. Library Philosophy and Practice. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2073/
  14. Federal Ministry of Education. (2000). National virtual digital library project. National Universities Commission.
  15. Gbaje, E. S. (2007). Provision of Online Information Services as in Nigerian Academic Libraries in Nigerian Libraries, 40, 32-41. http://hdl.handle.net/10760/11902
  16. Iyoro, A. O. (2004). Serials Availability for Use: Perception of in Training Information Professionals in a Nigerian University. The Nigerian Library Link, 11(12), 66-71.
  17. Jacobsen, C. (2000). Institutional Information Portal. Educause Review, 58-59. http://www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm00/articles004/horizons.pdf
  18. Katz, W. A. (2002). Introduction to Reference Work Volume 1. Basic Information Services and Reference Process. (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  19. Looney, M., & Lyman, P. (2000). Portals in Higher Education. Educause Review, 35(4), 28-35. http://www.edu/pub/er/ermoo/articles004/looney.pdf
  20. McCartney, P., & Jones, M. (2002). Using XML-encodedCas a Basis for Advanced Information Systems for ecological Research. Proceedings of the 6th World Multiconference Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics. 7, 379-384. http://matt.magisa.org/pubs/mccartney-sci-2002.pdf
  21. McCredie, J. (2002). Why Need an Enterprise E-Strategy, Not just a Portal. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/portals2002/JackMcCredie.ppt
  22. Morgan, K., & Reade, T. (2000). Pioneering Portals: My Library @ NC State. Information Technology and Libraries, 19(4), 191. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA189553245&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=07309295&p=AONE&sw=w
  23. Nnadozie, C. O., Aniebo, M. U., & Chukwueke, C. (2017). Availability of E-Resources and Accessibility of E-Services in Academic and Special Libraries in Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Library and Information Science Technology (JLIST), 3(1), 1-15. http://www.iaeme.com/issue.asp?JType=JLIST&VType=3&IType=1
  24. Nuhu, E. M. (2014). Access and Use of Online Information Services by Academic Staff in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria [Master's thesis, Ahmadu Bello University]. https://www.abu.edu.ng/
  25. Nwachukwu, V. N., & Asom, F. (2015). Utilization of Computer Technology for Academic by Lecturers of University of Jos, Nigeria. International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, 1(2), 14-22. http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Utilisation-of-Computer-Technology-for-Academic-Work-by-Lecturers-of-University-Of-Jos-Nigeria.pdf
  26. Nwazuoke, I. A. (2000) The Virtually Handicapped in Nigerian Information Technology in Next Millennium. Journal of Association of Libraries for Visually Handicapped, 1(5), 54-57.
  27. O' Leary, M. (2004). A High - End Deep - Web Portal. Information Today, 21(7), 33-38. https://www.infotoday.com/search/default.asp
  28. Okiki, O. C., & Asiru, S. M. (2011). Use of Electronic Information Sources by Postgraduate Students in Nigeria: Influencing Factors. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). http://ir.unilag.edu.ng:8080/handle/123456789/502
  29. Okiy, R. B. (2006). Assessing Students and Faculty Use of Academic Libraries in Nigeria: The Case of Delta State University Abraka. Nigerian Libraries, 32(2). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jnla
  30. Olsen, F. (2002). The Power of Portals. The Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/free/v48/i48/48aO3201.html
  31. Rogers, S. A. (2001). Electronic Journal Usage at Ohio State University. College Research Libraries (C&RL), 62(1), 25-34. http://crl.acrl.org/content/62/1/25.full.pdf+html https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.62.1.25
  32. Savarese, J. (2005). "Library Portals and What's Next Campus Technology". http://www.campus-technology.com/article.asp?id¼11087
  33. Ugah, D. A. (2008). Availability and Accessibility of Information Sources and the Use of Library Services at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 190. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.545.2490&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  34. Ukpebor, C. O. (2011) Availability and Use of Electronic Resources in African Universities: the Nigerian Perspective. PNLA Quarterly: The Official Publication of the Pacific Northwest Library Association, 76(4), 87-95. https://pnla.org/pnla-quarterly/