Internet use by library and information science undergraduates in Universities in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study surveyed the use of the internet by Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduates in universities in Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design and a questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collectitheon. The popution of the study was the 812 LIS undergruates in the two Library Schools in Edo State, that is, the University of Benin and Ambrose Alli University. Simple random sampling was used to select 300 respondents for the study. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages. The findings show that almost all the undergraduates use the Internet and they use it on a daily basis. The findings also showed that the undergraduates used the internet mainly for social networking. It was found that the main barriers to LIS undergraduates use of the internet are lack of adequate access to institutional internet facilities, epileptic power supply and poor internet connectivity. The study recommended that undergraduates should be trained to be ICT literate as well as be given increased access to internet facilities to enable them maximize the benefits of internet use. The study concluded that although there is a rise in the use of internet by undergraduates, they primarily use the internet for social networking.

Keywords: Internet Use; Library schools; LIS Undergraduates; ICT use