Journal Use Pattern at E. Latunde Odeku Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan

Abstract

In spite of the importance of journals and journal use studies, consultation of Literature (the Africa Index Medicus, LIS journals and Health Literature in Nigeria i.e HELIN) revealed that prior to this study, no study on journal use in E. Latunde Odeku Medical Library (ELOML) -College of Medicine - University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria was found. This study was carried out to determine journal use behaviour of users and patterns as observed at the E. Latunde Odeku Medical library. The study has revealed the active users of the ELOML journal collection and at the same time assessed it. Related studies from India, US, Iran and Nigeria were reviewed with a view to determine resemblances in journal use patterns observed by other scholars from these countries. A total of One hundred and Twenty (120) questionnaires were placed at the circulation desk (from October to December 2011) for filling by journal users in this library and out of which One hundred and Two (102) were retrieved for data analysis. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for social Sciences (SPSS), and the outputs were represented with tables and figures. Over all, the study has revealed that doctors are the most active users of ELOML journal
Collection and most of the respondents prefer to read international journals more than local journals. However, a reasonable percentage of student doctors, student nurses and other professionals under study read more prints than ejournals.