Awareness and Use of Electronic Information Resources in University Libraries and Academic Performance of Postgraduate Students in North Central States of Nigeria.

Abstract

This research work examined the level of awareness and the extent of utilization of electronic information resources (EIRs) in university libraries on academic performance of postgraduate students in North central states of Nigeria. Two research questions were raised and answered: What is the level of awareness of the available electronic information resources (EIRs) by postgraduate students in the university libraries in the North Central States of Nigeria? How often do postgraduate students utilize EIRs in University libraries in North central states of Nigeria? Survey research design was used with a target population of 15, 338 postgraduate students. A sample size of 556 postgraduate students was determined using a multi stage sampling technique. Four rating scale questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, frequency and simple percentage were used to analyse the data. It was discovered that the postgraduate students’ level of awareness of EIRs was low and that the utilisation of CD-ROMs was discovered to be ‘‘very often’’. It was recommended among others that the management of university libraries should from time to time organise user awareness programmes that will enlighten the postgraduate students on the types of available electronic information resources as well as educating them on how to use them.