Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) for research by undergraduates in developing countries: a viable change agent

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify use of library OPAC in realizing change in research and the nation by undergraduates in the university libraries and to determine the extent of utilization of library OPAC by undergraduates in the university libraries in Nigeria.A survey of three university libraries in Enugu, Lagos and Imo was carried out usingquestionnaire, observation checklist along with Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as instruments of data collection.Results shows that undergraduate students from these three universities used the OPAC to check availability of books in the library and the number of copies in the library stock. It further shows that the purposes for which OPAC was utilized was at a low level.The originality of the work lies in the strategies of creating awareness drive to users and students who are not yet aware of OPAC, and inculcating it as part of the teaching curriculum for LIS undergraduate students to bring about change in research attitude and to the nation in general.

Keywords: OPAC, Web OPAC, University libraries, Undergraduates, ICT, Change Agent, Developing countries