UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES IN JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the utilization of electronic information resources in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University library Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. Three objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 1,547 libraries registered 400 level undergraduate student in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University library, Benue State Nigeria. The sample size of 195 registered library undergraduate students was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that the types of electronic information resources utilized by undergraduates in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University library are: e-newspapers, CD-ROM (computer disk-read only memory, e-thesis/dissertation, e-dictionaries and internet. In addition, the study found that the extent to which undergraduates utilize electronic information resources in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Library is low. Erratic power supply, lack of information retrieval skills, poor network, lack of subscriptions in specific fields of interest, among others were the main challenges hindering the utilization of electronic information resources in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Library. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Library should provide regular training sessions for undergraduates which focus on search strategies, database usage, and critical evaluation of electronic sources to empower students with the necessary skills for effective utilization.