Use of CD-Rom databases by staff and students in the University of Jos Library

Abstract

The focus of this study is the use of CD-ROM databases by staff and students in the university of Jos library. This is of interest as CD-ROM database services is in consonant with the vision of providing excellent and effective information services to all staff and students of university of Jos. The study was guided by six objectives. In order to achieve objectives, questionnaire was designed and administered on a sample of 2570 out of which 2332 were properly filled, returned and used for the study. Interview was conducted with some staff, students and system unit librarian mainly to supplement information provided by the questionnaire.. Tables and bar charts were used for data analysis and presentation. Analyses revealed that many staff and students were not properly informed of the existence of CD-Rom databases in the library and they use inappropriate search terms thereby retrieving irrelevant information. CD-ROMs are mostly used for literature search and teaching. Staff and students preferred the use of CD-ROMs to the use of printed materials, and the major problem with the use of CD-ROMs is inappropriate use of search terms. Researcher recommended among others, that University of Jos library should organize regular training workshops for staff and students on the use of CD-ROMs, demonstrate and teach them how to form proper search terms for better information retrieval to meet their information needs as well as saving their time.

The Information Technologist Vol. 5 (1) 2008: pp. 1-18