Relative effect of environmental factors, information literacy, course of study and resources availability to students use of university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

Effective use of university libraries is necessary for the academic development of the students. This paper, therefore, assessed the relative effect of the factors that affect the undergraduates students use of university libraries in Nigeria. The study also ascertained the factor that made the greatest contribution to student’s use of the libraries. The survey research method was used for the study and the study population was 1,453 undergraduate students from across Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Science and SocialScience Faculties in the selected universities. The main instrument used for the data collection was a questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis was used in analyzing the data. Results revealed that resources availability, course of study, information literacy and noise made significant contribution whiletwo factors, physical facilities and ventilation made contributions which are not significant. The study also revealed that of the six (6) factors considered together, library resources availability made the greatest contribution which is significant to undergraduate students use of the university libraries. To enhance the level of library use by the Nigerian undergraduate students, majority of the students indicated the need for provision of current and adequate library material, followed by provision of ICT facilities and provision of conductive atmosphere in order to attract the students to visit the university libraries.

Keywords: Environmental factors, Information literacy, Course of study, Resources availability, Undergraduate students, Use, University libraries, Nigeria