Library use instruction and the pattern of utilization of library services by undergraduates in the university of Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of library use instruction programme and how it influences the pattern of utilization of library resources and services in the University of Calabar was carried out. The population of the study comprised undergraduate library users in the University of Calabar. Accidental sampling technique was used to select 320 respondents who constituted the sample of the study. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Three hundred and twenty (320) questionnaires were administered to the respondents in the six units of Readers Services Division of the library within a period of 6 days. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics (simple percentage %). The study found out, among others that, the perception of the Library Use Instruction Programme by undergraduates in the University of Calabar was high, resulting to high level of patronage of the library: 84 respondents (26.3 %) agreed that the programme equips users to make independent use of the library while 80 respondents (25 %) acknowledge that the skills acquired from the programme aids users academic performance. 70 respondents (21.9) perceive the programme as a means of diversifying users’ knowledge while 66 respondents (20.6%) noted that the programme is a source of empowerment in information search and retrieval in a library. This was attributed to the possession of basic Library Use skills by undergraduates which were acquired during the Library Use Instruction Programme. It was recommended in the study that the instructional programme should run for both first and second semesters and it should be an independent credit carrying course under the General Studies Programme of the University of Calabar.

KEYWORDS: Library use, Instruction, Pattern, Utilization, Library Services, University.