Availability and accessibility of electronic information resources in federal college of education libraries in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates the availability and accessibility of electronic information resources in federal college of education libraries in Northern Nigeria. The research adopted mixed research methods with a concurrent triangulation research design. The population of the study is 34, 846 library users and 12 college librarians. The sampled respondents were 378 and 9 college librarians. The research used interview and questionnaire for data collections. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that electronic information resources were found to be available on the platform of e-databases, institutional repository, e-Granary and CDS. Majority of the users had access to e-journal, e-newspapers and audio visual resources available. E-manuscripts, e-dissertations/theses/projects, e-discussion and e-images available were not accessible by majority of the respondents. The libraries had invested in EIRs development and provision of good access is a prerequisite to maximum use of the resources to enhance research, teaching and learning. The study recommended that libraries should acquire resources that are relevant to all users and provide unlimited access remotely, and network facilities should be boosted. Also, training on search skills should be given to enable users have access and use the resources without difficulty. Lastly, the management of the college and their libraries should ensure that all the challenges, such as power outages, denial of access and network fluctuations are minimized in order to encourage access and use of the resources in the libraries