AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF BINGHAM UNIVERSITY, KARU, NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

Over the years, the role of library resources and its’ utilization across university has been advocated by professionals in an effort to improve students' reading skills as well as overall academic achievement. This paper investigated the availability and utilization of library resources by undergraduate students of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State. The study formulated five research objectives and five corresponding research questions. A descriptive survey method was used, using questionnaire as the data collection tool. 105 students were randomly selected from 12 faculties from each department, having purposively sampled from the total population of undergraduate students. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tool which involved frequency and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that the availability of library resources in Bingham University is at a moderate level as textbooks, dictionaries and periodicals are available while audio-visual resources and audio resources are not. The findings also revealed that majority of the students utilized the library resources occasionally and during examinations. Several factors were found to have hindered effective utilization of the library resources, which are insufficient internet access, poor orientation about library resources and restricted library hours. Therefore, the study recommends the provision of audio-visual and audio resources available and accessible to library users, orientation on library resources should be prioritized so as to ensure effective utilization of library resources, and library operational hours should be extended.