Library Utilization among College Of Medicine Research Year Undergraduates: Case Study of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpomanigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of library utilization by the college of medicine research year undergraduates of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. It is a descriptive cross sectional survey that involved the use of a pre-tested questionnaire. The results revealed that though the research year undergraduates have library identification cards, they however, did not utilize the library for their research work. Only 8% reported using the library alongside the internet for their research work. Those who did not visit the library in the course of their research work reported using only the internet. The main constraints for not using the library included absence of internet services in college library (100%), lack of up-to-date research journals (91%), difficulties in identifying relevant texts (80%), and restricted access duration (57%). The students were indeed convinced that unlike the college library, the internet was preferable; suggested therefore, the need for libraries to develop ways of satisfying the research need of users especially the students.

Keywords: Library, Utilizations, Research year undergraduates, Nigeria