Availability and utilization of digital reference sources and services in academic libraries in South-south Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the availability and utilization of digital reference sources and services in academic libraries in South-South Nigeria. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The population of the study is 102 librarians. The entire102 librarians were used as the sample size for the study. The instruments for data collection were a Check List and a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used to check the availability of digital reference sources and ICT facilities that supports digital reference services, while the 102 questionnaire were filled and returned to the researcher. Data collected from the study was analyzed using Percentage. The results of the study revealed that types of digital reference sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedia, and directories among others are averagely available in most of the academic libraries in south-south Nigeria. The study also revealed that asynchronous and synchronous transactions and online bibliographic reference services are often offered in academic libraries. More so, digital reference services such as searching online databases, identifying, and locating materials are often used by users in academic libraries. The study recommended that government and the university management should ensure that there is adequate fund allocation to university libraries; and university library management should provide a functional library website to make digital reference sources and services easier for librarians and library users.