Library Services and Availability of Information Resources in University Libraries, South-South Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Patience Owere Ekpang ◽  
Martina Ekpenyong Ekeng
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 197
Author(s):  
Patience Owere Ekpang ◽  
Martina Ekpenyong Ekeng

This study investigated the relationship between library services and the availability of information resources in federal university libraries, in South-South, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 16620 students and a sample of 800 respondents was selected for the study. The selection was done through the stratified and purposive random sampling technique. The results of the analyses revealed a significant relationship between user education and preservation of information resources and availability of information resources. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others that: User education should be adequately given to students to enable them to make the most use of the information resources and Government should prioritize funding for the preservation of information resources for university libraries.


Author(s):  
Ayanda Agnes Lebele

In the quest to develop more innovative customer-focused library services, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Library embarked on the development of robust initiatives that involved the engagement of various stakeholders. The emerging consultative and engaging trend is premised on the key values of facilitating access to information and demand-driven inclusive library services. The paper presents how the BIUST Library engages stakeholders in the development of multiple and flexible opportunities to access and use information. In doing so, it describes the recreation of internal library structures, space, and processes in a way that accommodates and demonstrates the categories and functional roles of different types of library stakeholders. The paper further points to how the stakeholders’ cultures and systems create a divide or imbalance in the access and usage of library services. The paper also argues for a need to define library stakeholders and develop engagement strategies that are entity and initiative specific.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 462-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mgunda Majinge ◽  
Stephen Mudogo Mutula

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implication of copyright on access to electronic and print information resources by people with visual impairments in university libraries. The paper examines the extent to which electronic and print information resources in university libraries are accessible to people with visual impairments; the extent to which existing national/international copyright laws facilitate or hamper access to electronic and print information resources by people with visual impairments; examine challenges facing people with visual impairments in accessing electronic and print information resources; and how these challenges can be ameliorated. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on review of empirical and theoretical literature and is underpinned by Oliver’s (1990) social model of disability. Findings The findings reveal that many university libraries the world over lack the capacity to offer an effective information service to people with visual impairments. Furthermore, the stringent copyright laws and licensing regimes for purchasing or transcribing content from one format to another make provision of information services to people with visual impairments difficult. In-university libraries are faced with various challenges in accessing electronic and print information that include among others copyright and licensing restrictions, and system design issues. Assistive technologies (ATs), enabling policies, skilled staff and facilitative copyright regimes can help ameliorate some of these barriers. Practical implications ATs, enabling policies, skilled staff and facilitative copyright regimes are key to unlocking the barriers that hinder people with visual impairments from effectively accessing print and electronic resources in university libraries. Protection of the basic rights of persons with disabilities including visual impairments, the elimination of social discrimination and bridging the accessibility gap are integral to social inclusion. This paper provides the basic information to university libraries for addressing challenges associated with access to electronic and print resources by people with visual impairments. Social implications Access to information to all including people with visual impairments in society is a basic human and moral right that every human being must enjoy. The Sustainable Development Goals’ 2030 agenda for sustainable development envisages a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity […] equality and non-discrimination, an equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met (United Nations, 2015), and inclusive rights such as education, access to services (including information) and employment for people with disabilities. Originality/value This paper builds on existing literature and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on access by people with disabilities predicating on World Summit on Information Society principle and agenda 2030 on sustainable development goals.


Biotechnology ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 1254-1267
Author(s):  
Shri Ram

Bioinformatics is an emerging data intensive discipline. The community and information resources and sources are heterogeneous. It is the role of library to provide a comprehensive platform to deliver effective information services to the community. The paper discusses the status of various bioinformatics information resources available for the community. It is essential to search, consolidate and made information resources available to the community. The paper also discusses the methodology for integration of information resources at a single platform. The integration platform is proposed shall highlight the role of the library in understanding the current best practices to deliver effective information to bioinformatics community. It will discuss the close relationship between data and information playing an extensive role in generation of bioinformatics knowledge. Further, a model has been proposed for the resource integration in the area of bioinformatics in order to provide a comprehensive platform for knowledge dissemination.


Author(s):  
Abiola Bukola Elaturoti

Libraries are coming to terms with the fact that their primary role is to provide information resources and services to all equally without any category of users being neglected or feeling left out. Those with disabilities need specialized services and attention, which libraries as public places must be ready to offer. How should patrons with disabilities be treated when they visit the library or need the assistance of librarians? Do they have access to library resources in the format that suits their form of disability and enhances their getting their information needs met? This chapter sheds light on how patrons with disabilities can be served adequately by libraries and librarians.


Author(s):  
S. Muthuvennila ◽  
P. Kannan

This chapter deals with the purpose of library resources and services stratification of users of Alagappa University. Users are the most vital component of libraries. Alagappa University Central Library provided the various types of services in RFID, Web OPAC, SMS and e-mail alerts, ETD, DLNET service, mobile-based digital services, etc. The study covers 76 scholars out of 82 questionnaires distributed. The questionnaires were distributed in 10 departments in the Faculty of Arts in Alagappa University. The statistical techniques used for the analysis of data are the frequency, cross tables, descriptive statistics. This chapter describes the use of resources and services, library services, services provided to the users, e-resources access at Alagappa University, scope and limitations of the study, and objectives for using the resources and services. Alagappa University research scholars mostly used the library resources and services.


Author(s):  
Anjaline C. ◽  
Sheba Priskkillal C.

Recent surveys on usage of library services reveal that nearly one third of the user population uses the library resources effectively to fulfill their information requirements. The remaining two thirds are either under-utilizing or using at minimal level. The reasons for non-usage of library resources include the anxiety towards the information system. Library anxiety is a kind of psychological fear experienced by the users while using information services or accessing the ICT-based information resources in a library. Library anxiety is characterized by negative emotions including tension, fear, feelings of uncertainty and helplessness, negative self-defeating thoughts, and mental disorganization that are experienced in the library setting. It is a kind of psychological barrier that hinders the effective usage of library-based information resources. It is more prevalent among the beginners than others. This chapter highlights anxiety, types of anxiety, different types of library users, causes of library anxiety, and the remedial measures to overcome library anxiety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-167
Author(s):  
Judith Logan

A Review of: Sun, H., Liu, Y., Wang, Z., & Zuo, W. (2019). Embedded librarianship in China: Based on a survey of university libraries. The Library Quarterly, 89(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1086/700663 Abstract Objective – To determine the extent to which embedded librarianship is understood and implemented with a focus on service models, best practices, and barriers. Design – Survey questionnaire with follow up interviews. Setting – Provincial and ministerial university libraries in China. Subjects – Subject or liaison librarians from the 84 institutions with science and technology “information searching and evaluation centres” called S&TNS (p. 56). Methods – The authors identified potential participants through the eligible institutions’ library websites or by contacting the library’s managers. Then they randomly selected three librarians (n = 252) from each library to be invited to participate. 56 responded from 41 unique institutions. When respondents indicated that their library had embedded library services, the authors contacted them for follow up interviews. Main results – Results of the questionnaire revealed that most respondents were unclear about the concept of embedded librarianship with many mistaking traditional models of librarianship as embedded. Roughly half (n = 21) of respondents reported embedded librarians at their institution. Follow up interviews revealed five models of embeddedness: (1) subject librarianship, (2) teaching information retrieval or library orientation sessions, (3) participation in research teams, (4) co-location with academic departments, and (5) assisting university administration with decision-making. Only half of these libraries (n = 11) conducted some form of assessment. Conclusion – Embedded librarianship is a promising, but not yet widely adopted model in Chinese university libraries. More should be done to advocate for its implementation or libraries risk obsolescence.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document