Availability, Accessibility, and Use of Electronic Information Resources among Undergraduate Students in Fountain University Library, Osogbo

Abstract

This study investigated the availability, accessibility, and use of electronic information resources among undergraduate students in Fountain University Library, Osogbo. Survey research design was deployed, while quantitative research method was adopted using questionnaire for data gathering. The population of the study was nine hundred and fourteen (914), where a sample size of two hundred and seventy-eight (278) was determined using Research Advisors Table. Questionnaire was administered on the sample size and the data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings discovered that eLibrary is available with functional twenty (20) All-in-One Computer Workstations. It was revealed that OPAC, EbiscoHost, Research4Life, ScienceDirect, and e-resources (textbooks and journals) on Nursing, Law, Medical Laboratory Science, and Public Health are available. Few e-resources for all other twelve programmes in the university are also available in the eLibrary. Findings discovered that, e-references, CD-ROM, e-bibliography and e-archives were not available. It was also discovered that the available electronic information resources, though, accessible, but were not sufficientfor adequate use by the respondents. Considerably, majority of the respondents have a positive perception of electronic information resources and services. The study recommended that there should be acquisition of more data bases in addition to those in use, as well as, subscription to more e-resources, especially books and journals, which will cut across all the twelve programmes in the university. This will improve patronage and satisfaction of the patrons in order to justify the huge amount invested in the project. the use of electronic information resources in the Fountain University Library. The findings revealed that e-journal, e-database, e-book and internet are utilized daily, weekly and occasionally than other e-resources. Result further showed a low usage of OPAC, e-dictionary and CD-ROM. Overall, the usage level of electronic information resources by undergraduate students can be rated average. Low use of CD-ROMs, OPAC and e-dictionary may as well be attributed to advancement in technology and proliferation of Internet access with the use of mobile phone, modem and router among library users. The finding corroborated with the findings of Ikoja-Odongo and Okello-Obura (2013) who recorded low number (11.6%) of the respondents in the used of CD-ROM.