Access to and Use of Electronic Journals in Selected Federal University Libraries in the Federal Capital Territory and North Central Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of access and use of electronic journals by the academic staff of federal universities in North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory from the different E-journal sources available. The study adopted the quantitative research methodology and used cross sectional survey research design. Findings from the study revealed that personal access through open/free source was the most used source of e-journals for their academic activities. Ejournals were also most frequently used in academic activities related with research and teaching. No statistically significant difference was established between demographic variables and the most used source of access of E-journals (open/free access) and also the extent of use for academic activities. The study recommended that academic libraries take advantage of the open access policies of some publishers and databases to add to their e-journal holdings. Nigerian Library Association should organise more training and workshops for librarians on E-resources search and retrieval skills; modules should include effective search strategies, designing appropriate metadata and subject headings to enable easy retrieval. In addition, university libraries should retrieve usage statistics that follows recognised standards (such as COUNTER’s (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources) Code of Practice) and mined data from the publishers or distributors of E-Journals to assess their e-journal services.