Assessment of on-line databases use by Academics of Faculty of Education Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

Online publications are becoming more popular than traditional print resource due to the portability, flexibility, and instant  availability of up-to-date information. Academic libraries in Nigeria and in particular Kashim Ibrahim Library are spending a substantial amount of their budgets in providing online databases to its customers which means the issue of availability has been addressed. Meanwhile availability does not translate to use.  Therefore, this study seek to assess the use of online databases among academic staff of the faculty of education A.B.U Zaria with specific emphasis on the types of online database used by academics, the purpose for which the online databases are used, the extent of its use and challenges faced by academic staffs in the use of online databases. A survey research method was used for this study. The population comprise of 140 academics of faculty of education A.B.U, Zaria. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, out of the 140 questionnaires distributed, 90 were returned completed representing 64.3% response rate. These were used for the analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Some of the findings amongst others were Academics in Faculty of Education only use DOAJ and AJOL out of all the databases available. Also, the major challenges faced by the respondents when trying to access and use the online databases are: Slow Internet connection, insufficient access to required journals and erratic power supply amongst others. A recommendation amongst others was that the library in  collaboration with the ICT division of the university and the faculty should on a regular basis organize training for academic members on how to use e-resources and basic ICT skills.