An evaluate study of Hezekiah Oluwasanmi library collections, Obafami Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the awareness and usage of Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library collection by the students of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for data collection from the students in six out of the eleven faculties of the university. The study showed that the awareness of the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library collection and its information services at various units of the library were provided for the students, and the usage of the information materials was high among the student of faculties of Pharmacy, Law and Education. It was found that the rate of awareness of the library collection and its information services provided was low in the faculties of Science, Health Science and Technology. The majority of the students from these three faculties did not use the Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library collection because either the materials were not relevant to their learning and research for the materials and the services provided by the collection. Factors affecting awareness and use of library collections such as competence in library-use skills; inadequate user education and attitudes towards users by library staff were reviewed. A comprehensive range of recommendations to improve user awareness including a well structured library orientation programme, provision of faculty libraries and automation of library functions were also presented in the study.


University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol.6(1) 2004: 90-102