Perception of Library Resources and Utilization Among Tertiary Institution Students in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined perception of library resources and utilization among tertiary institution students in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks to determine if: Perception of print resources influences students’ utilization of library resources; Perception of e-resources influences students’ utilization of library resources; Perception of audiovisual resource influences students’ utilization of library resources; and Perception of reference resources influences students’ utilization of library resources. Ex-post -facto research design. The choice of the ex-post -facto design over other designs was basically due to the fact that the phenomena under study had already occurred. The population of this study consisted of 6,000 registered library users from five tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The sample used a total of six hundred (600) respondents i.e. ten percent (10%) from each stratum of the population. The study employed Independent t-test as a statistical tool. The results of the analysis showed that Perception of print resources has a significant influence on utilization of library resources; Perception of e-resources has a significant influence on utilization of library resources; Perception of audiovisual resources has a significant influence on utilization of library resources; Perception of reference resources has a significant influence on utilization of library resources. Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations were made. Management in collaboration with government should make sure required textbooks and print information resources are well stocked in the shelves of libraries so that students who are willing will make use of these print resources to improve on their studies.