A survey of electronic information resources and services usage in the era of COVID-19 pandemic disease in Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Access and usage of information resources and services are fundamental to effective learning, teaching and research in any time including the period of pandemic disease. This paper therefore examined electronic information resources and services usage in the era of covid-19 pandemic disease in Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted while 220 university, polytechnic and college of education students in Ilorin metropolis who were accessible during the covid-19 pandemic outbreak constituted the population. The data were gathered using questionnaire and descriptive statistics of frequency counts and simple percentages were used to analyse the data generated. The major findings of the study revealed that e-books, ejournals, internet and e-mail services were frequently used by respondents among the available eresources and services in the era of covid-19 pandemic disease. The results also disclosed that poor study environment, high cost of data subscription and restriction of free movement to the most remote access area affected effective use of the e-resources and services during the pandemic period. The study recommended that the government should make provision for a good enabling study environment that will facilitate easy access and use of e-resources, the government should also appeal to data providers and marketers in reducing the cost of subscription to reduce the sufferings in the era of the pandemic. Finally, the managements of libraries are urged to be more relevant at all times by providing adequate e-resources and services that will promote more accessibility in the period under review.