AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES OF USERS TO THE USE OF CATALOGUES IN TWO SELECTED ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN OYO STATE
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Date
2023
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Nigeria Journal of Computer Literacy Department of Science and Technology Education University of Ibadan
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the awareness and attitudes of users to the use of catalogues in Kenneth Dike Library and Olusegun Oke Library. The study adopted the survey research design. The study population is made up of 34,478 undergraduate students drawn from the two academic libraries studied. The sampling size of the population using Taro Yamane’s formula is approximated to 395. Closed-ended questionnaires and 5-point Likert rating scale was used as the instruments for data collection. 395 questionnaires were distributed to the undergraduate users, 169 Kenneth Dike Library and 226 Olusegun Oke Library, out of which 379 copies of the questionnaire was returned and used for analysis. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count, simple percentage, and tabulation method with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The study revealed that the users of the selected academic libraries are aware of the existence, availability, and relevance of library catalogues. The study found that majority of the respondents got to know about library catalogues through library orientation and user education programmes. Furthermore, the study revealed that the users of the academic libraries examined utilize the library catalogues occasionally and in rare cases for the purpose of doing assignments, accessing research materials, saving time when searching for materials in the library, retrieving current materials, and to check the materials the library has on a particular author or subject. The study further found out that the users of the two academic libraries prefer using catalogues to browsing through the shelves, sees the use of catalogues relevant for research purposes and appreciate making use of the catalogues to search for materials. Consequently, the study also revealed the challenges encountered by the users of the two academic libraries studied include: insufficient computer system, poor electricity supply, difficulty in locating the materials that are indicated to be available in the catalogues, as well as the time consumed when accessing the card catalogue. Therefore, the study concluded that majority of the respondents have no preference between card catalogue and OPAC. The following recommendations were given provisions for acquiring more computers should be made, programmes that focus on increasing the patronage of library catalogues should be enacted, provisions for alternative power supply should be made, friendly and well-trained staff should be made available to render assistance to the users. Suggestions for further studies are offered as well.
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Awareness, Attitudes, Card Catalogue, OPAC, Library Users, Information Resources, Academic Libraries,