American International Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 8, No. 4, December 2018 doi:10.30845/aijcr.

v8n4p9

Utilization of Library Information Resources by Undergraduate Students of

University Of Medical Science Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Fasa Rachael Aladeniyi (Cln)

Polytechnic Library
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria
Temitope Samuel Owokole
Department Of Library and Information Science
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo
Ondo State
Nigeria

Abstract
Library information resources are vital tools in academic libraries. The success of any library depends on its
resources and the utilization of the resources. This study examined the utilization of library information resources
by undergraduates students of University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Descriptive research
design was employed for the study. The population of the study was the registered users of the library for
2016/2017 academic session. Availability sampling technique was used for the study. In this case only the students
library user that were available in the library as at the time of this research were used for the study.
Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. A total of two hundred and seventy six (276) copies
of questionnaire were administered and two hundred and thirty four (234) copies were retrieved from the
respondents. The data gathered through the questionnaire were analyzed through the use of frequency count and
simple percentage. According to the findings the respondents agreed to the availability of all the listed resources
in the questionnaire. Majority of the respondents use the library information resources for the purpose of
obtaining general information, for examination, for assignment and for research. The findings also revealed that
majority of the respondents use the library information resources occasionally, while textbooks were found to be
the most utilized library resources by the respondents. As revealed in the findings, only few respondents indicated
that they were having challenges in their utilization of library information resources. Based on the findings of the
study, some recommendations were made to enhance better use of the library information resources in the
University of Medical Science Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Library information resources, Undergraduate, Students, University, Medical Science.
Introduction
Library information resources are essential tools in teaching and learning process of any academic community.
Members of the academia need library information resources for teaching, learning research, update of knowledge
and personal development. Library information resources are materials or information resources acquired by the
library to meet the information needs of library patrons. Barfi, Afful-Authur and Agyapong (2013) define library
information resources as the raw materials that provide vital services in the teaching and learning process. The
survival and success of any tertiary institution depends on the library. The library is regarded as a pillar that holds
institution of higher learning. Agbaje defined library as an organized collection of sources of information and
similar resources made accessible to a specific community for references or borrowing. Agbaje explained that the
resources may be physical, digital in a physical building or visual space. The relevance of a library in higher
institutions of learning such as University, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education cannot be over-emphasized.
Onye (2016) acknowledge that the value of library cannot be overemphasized considering that any students no
matter how brilliant cannot ignore the library. Onye also note that without the information resources provided by
the library, teaching, learning, research and other reasons for using the library resources will lack requisite
support.

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Okiki (2013) posit that the library is a vital facility for enhancing learning, teaching and research. Okiki affirmed
that it is the hub of all academic activities established to prove intellectual excellence. A library can only be
regarded as the hub of all academic activities where there are adequate library resources that are well utilized. The
worth and impact of a library can be felt through the utilization of the various resources acquired by the library.
Effective utilization of the library information resources will no doubt add value to the functions of the library in
any society.
Brief History of theUniversity of Medical Science Ondo (UNIMED)
University of Medical Science, Ondo was established 2015 in Ondo, Ondo State Nigeria under the administration
of Governor Olusegun Abayomi Rahman Mimiko as the Executive Governor of Ondo State. Ondo state was
created from the Old Western Region of Nigeria on February 6, 1976. University of Medical Science Ondo is the
Third Specialized Medical University in Africa and Nigeria First Specialized Medical University to be accredited
by the National University Commission. Presently, the University has six faculties where courses on medical
sciences and other related areas are taught to produce graduates of high standard capable of providing quality
services in their various areas of specialization.
Statement of the Problem
The library is regarded as an information centre charged with the responsibility of selecting, acquiring and
organizing various information resources to meet the needs of its users. Library renders essential services in
tertiary institutions of learning. It supports the academic programmes of the parent body by providing relevant
information resources that is capable of ensuring success when utilized. Meaningful academic success can only be
achieved when there is a functional library with adequate information resources that are well utilized. Anyanwu
(2015) posit that the value of a library collection lies in its effective utilization by the user community. Onifade,
Ogbuiyi and Omeluzor (2013) cited in Olajide and Adio (2017) acknowledged that the major aim of any
University library is to support teaching, learning and research activities of its parent institution. They emphasized
that University must therefore, make sure that their resources are well utilized as this is essential for educational
development of students.
In any tertiary institution, students have the largest population than any other members of the academic
community and they are also expected to be one of the major users of an academic library. Since students users
are expected to be one of the major users of an academic library. There is a need for studies to be conducted
regularly on the utilization of the library information resources. This will also serve as a channel to access the
impact of the library on the user community. In view of the foregoing, this study therefore attempts to investigate
the utilization of library information resources by undergraduate students of the University of Medical Science,
Ondo, Ondo state, Nigeria.
Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate the utilization of library information resources by undergraduate
students of University of Medical Science, Ondo.
The study has the following specific objectives;
i. To find out the available library information resources in University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State.
ii. To identify the purpose for which the students utilized the library information resources in their institution
library
iii. To determine how frequent the students use the library information resources.
iv. To find out the most utilized library information resources.
v. To investigate the challenges hindering the effective utilization of the library information resources in the
University of Medical Science Ondo.
Research Questions
This study is guided by the following research questions;
i. What are the available library information resources in the University of Medical Science Ondo, Ondo State?
ii. For what purpose do the students of the University of Medical Science Ondo use the library information
resources in their institution library.
iii. How frequent do the students utilized the library information resources in their institution library?

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iv. Which of the library information resources do the students utilized most?
v. What are the challenges hindering the effective utilization of the library information resources in the
University of medical science Ondo?
Literature Review
Library plays a significant role in academic community. The place of libraries and its information resources in
tertiary institutions cannot be relegated. Aladeniyi & Arikawe (2017) acknowledged that libraries are very
essential in any organization, especially in higher institutions of learning. Library information resources are vital
ingredients in the library. They enable libraries to render their services to the user community. A library without
resources will lose its relevance in the society. Jegede (2010) defined library resources as those materials made up
of books, audio-visual materials, software media, audio-visual hardware and other materials used in teaching and
learning process in the library. Adomi (2006) opine that library resources are the information bearing materials
that enable the library to fulfill its goals of meeting the information needs of its users.
According to Ojedokun (2007) Basically library resources are materials that user consult in making decision and
also for problem solving these sources could be primary or secondary. The relevance of a library depends on the
utilization of its resources. Agboola & Bamigboye (2011) agreed that the need for good libraries in higher
institutions of learning cannot be over-emphasized, as the quality of any education depends on the library, not the
library as a magnificent building but the use of it. They note that, it is important that libraries serving academic
communities have the broadest possible collections of books and other essential materials.
Mamo & Amidu carried out a study on the determinant of library resources use by lecturers of College of
Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. They maintained that the advancement of an academic staff unlike
other staff depends largely, if not entirely on his research output which depends critically on the availability of
suitable facilities, including adequate library resources. Barfi, Afful-Authur and Agyapong (2017) affirmed that
availability of library resources create an enabling environment for the utilization of library resources and this will
provide teaching and learning. Uzoagba, Ezukwuoke and Chiagbu (2012) affirmed that library resources in print,
non-print and electronic forms are the major components of any library. Onye (2016) observed that the objectives
of library may not be realizable unless its resources reach optical capacity and use by faculty and students who
depend on its information resources for different purposes.
Regarding the type of information resources available Onye reported that all the participants in their study (100%)
indicated that textbooks are available in the library while 572 (84%) confirmed that the library has computers, 314
(46.1%) show the presence of internet and 90 (13.2%) indicated that the library possessed films (audio-visual).
Olajide & Adio (2017) examined the effective utilization of University library resources by under-graduate
students at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. They found that library resources like abstract, indexes,
yearbooks, atlas were neither satisfactory nor readily available for use. In tertiary institutions, library information
resources are use for different purpose. Agyekummer and Filson (2012) found in their study that most of the
students use library resources and services to supplement their class notes, assignment and helped them in
examination preparation.
Clabo, (2002) pointed out that students use library resources for recreational readings, for reference purposes,
doing their assignment and reading news from newspapers Foloruso & Njoku (2016) study shows that most
prominent purpose of using the library resources was to study and read for examinations. Many of the students
also use the library to search for materials for assignments and to do research work, as well to read newspaper or
participate in a group discussion. Amusa & Iyoro (2013) observed in their study that majority of the students
(60%) used the library resources to study, read and also for research.
Agboola & Bamigboye (2011) in their study they reported the extent of use of library resources either in print or
electronic form in each of the three University they examined. Their findings shows that at U.I 181 (49%)
respondents said they made use of it very often, 120 (32%) said often, 40 (11%) said occasionally while only 31
(8%) said they made use of resources in the library. At UNAAB, 110 (40%) indicated very often, 95 (34%) said
often, 53 (19%) said occasionally while 20 (7%) indicated never. In OOU, 60 (23%) indicated very often, 56
(21%) said often, 88 (34%) said occasionally while 58 (22%) said never. Oluwatobi, Ehiogbae, Aluko-Arowolo
and Onasote (2014) study revealed that most frequently used library materials is online database and this is
followed by Dictionaries, books, encyclopedia which are used daily while the least use materials is CD-ROM
database. Okiy (2000) study indicated that respondents used books more than other materials.
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On the challenges hindering the effective utilization of library in formation resources Uzogbu, Ezukwuoke and
Chingbu (2012) reported in their study that factors such as unavailability of resources ranked highest with 42%,
power failure followed with 27% while disorganized materials ranked third with 17%, while those who claimed
that there was no problem were 11% of the respondents. Mamo & Amidu (2016) found that lack of current
information resources and improper shelving of information resources are the major factors hindering the
effective use of library resources. Olajide & Otunla (2015) findings show that the major challenge faced by
respondents is lack of time. The study of Barfi, Afful-Arthur and Agyupong (2018) indicated that non-
involvement of lecturers in book selection, few up-to-date materials, users not informed of new arrivals, poor
library instruction, unavailability of automatic generator to power sockets and inadequate library staff are factors
that actually hinder or impede the use of library materials by lecturers.
Methodology
Descriptive survey method was adopted for this study. The study population is the undergraduate registered
library users of University of Medical Science Ondo, Ondo State Nigeria for 2016/2017 academic session. The
total population of the registered users according to the data obtained as at the time of this research was five
hundred and sixty (560). This comprises students from all the faculties of the Institution. Availability sampling
technique was used in selecting the sample size for this study. In this case undergraduate users that were present in
the library were used as the sample size. The sample size was 276. Questionnaire was used as the only instrument
for data collection. The questionnaire was in two parts. Section A was on demographic characteristics of
respondent and Section B was based on the research questions. A total of two hundred and seventy six (276)
questionnaire were administered and two hundred and thirty four (234) were retrieved from the respondents. This
was carried out for a period of two days. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed through the use of
frequency count and simple percentage.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Table 1 revealed the number of respondents according to gender. The analysis shows that the female respondents
were more than the male respondents, having 155 (66.2%) while the male respondents has 79 (33.8%). This
finding therefore shows that the female undergraduate library users are more than their male counterparts.
Table 1: Gender of Respondents

Gender No. of Respondents Percentage %

Male 79 33.8
Female 155 66.2
Total 234 100%
As indicated in table 2, 100 level recorded a total of 161 (68.8%) response rate, 200 level 73 (31.2%). However,
there was no respondents from 300 level. This is because they were not available on campus when the
questionnaires were administered. It is worthy to note that the pioneer students of the institution at the time of this
research were in 300 level, being a new school established in 2015.
Table 2: Level of Respondents
Level No. of Respondents Percentage %
100 161 68.8
200 73 31.2
300 - -
Total 234 100%
Table 3 revealed the response rate of respondent on the available library resources in University of Medical
Science Library Ondo. As indicated in the table majority of the respondents agreed to the availability of all the
listed resources in the library. The table also shows that all the respondents agreed that textbooks are available in
their library having 234 (100%) response rate.

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Table 3: Available Library Resources

Research Question 1: What are the available Library Resources in your Library?
Available Library Resources Agree % Disagree %
Textbook 234 100 - -
Journal 216 92.3 18 7.7
Directories 201 85.9 33 14.1
Handbook 213 91.0 21 9.0
Manuals 199 85.0 35 15.0
Newspaper & Magazines 214 91.5 20 8.5
Report 181 77.4 53 22.5
Atlases/Maps 186 79.5 48 20.5
Dictionary 228 97.4 6 2.6
Internet 226 96.6 8 3.4
Computer 217 92.7 17 7.3
Biographies 189 80.8 45 19.2
Abstract/Indexes 163 69.7 71 30.3
Encyclopedia 210 89.7 24 10.3
Audio-visual material 188 80.3 46 19.7
Table 4 revealed the various purpose of utilizing library information resources by the students of the University of
Medical Science, Ondo. From the analysis, majority of the respondents agreed that they use the library resources
for the purpose of obtaining general information, for examination, for assignment and for research having 231
(98.7%), 224 (95.7%), 220 (95%) and 217 (92.7%) respectively.
Table 4: Purpose of Utilizing the Library Information Resources
Research Question 2: What are your Purpose of Utilizing the Library information Resources in your institution
library?
Purpose of Utilizing Agree % Disagree %
For research 217 92.7 17 7.2
For obtaining general information 231 98.7 3 1.2
For current affairs 174 74.3 60 25.6
For examination purpose 224 95.7 10 4.2
For assignment purpose 220 94 14 6
For sport information 110 47 124 53
For personal development 137 58.5 23 98.
The findings also shows that respondents who use the library information resources for the purpose of obtaining
information on sport has the lowest response rate with 110 (47%). Table 5 shows that majority of the respondents
119 (50.9%) agreed that they use the library information resources occasionally. This is followed by respondents
that indicated that they use the library information resources often 73 (31.2%).
Table 5: Frequency of use of Library Information Resources
Research Question 3: How often do the students use the library information resources?
Frequency No. of Respondents Percentage %
Very often 42 17.9
Often 73 31.2
Occasionally 119 50.9
Never 0 0
Total 234 100%
Respondents that use the library information resources very often recorded 47 (17.9%). The analysis also shows
that non of the respondents indicated that they never use the library resources. The findings in table 6 shows that
textbooks are the most consulted library information resources, having 118 (50.4%).

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This is followed by internet (12.8%).this findings corroborate Okiy (2000) which indicated that respondents use
books more than other materials.
Table 6: Most Utilized Library information Resources
Research Question 4: Which of the Library Information Resources do you Utilized most?
Most Utilized Library Information No. of Respondents Percentage %
Resources
Textbook 118 50.4
Journals 12 5.1
Directories 3 1.3
Handbook 13 5.6
Manuals 6 2.6
Newspapers & Magazines 14 6.0
Reports - -
Atlas and Maps 5 2.1
Directories 15 6.4
Audio-visual materials 3 1.3
Internet 30 12.8
Computer 5 2.1
Biographies - -
Abstract & Indexes - -
Encyclopedia 10 4.3
Table 7 indicated the challenges that respondents faced in their utilizations of library information resources. It can
be seen from the table that only few respondents agreed that they were having challenges, while majority of the
respondents indicated that they were not having challenges.
Table 7: Challenges Hindering the Effective Utilization of Library Information Resources in university of
medical science, Ondo
Research Question 5: What are the challenges hindering the effective utilization of library information resources
Challenges Hindering the effective Utilization of Agree % Disagree %
Library Information Resources
Lack of adequate resources on my field of study 41 17.5 193 82.5
Noise from fellow students 48 20.5 186 77.5
Inadequate sitting facilities 34 14.5 200 85.5
Lack of information retrieval skills 44 18.8 190 81.2
Inadequate personnel in the library to assist in getting 47 20.1 187 79.9
needed information
Lack of internet facilities 24 10.3 210 89.7
Lack of up-to-date resources 20 8.5 214 91.5
Inadequate power supply in the library 18 7.7 216 92.3
Poor arrangement of the library materials 23 98 211 90.2
Conclusion
Library information resources are vital ingredients in academic libraries. Its function’s cannot be over emphasized
when it is full utilized this study has provided data on the utilization of library information resources by
undergraduate students of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo state Nigeria. The major findings of
the study are
i. The female respondents are more than the male respondents
ii. 100 level has the highest number of respondents
iii. Majority of the respondents agreed that Books, Journals, Directories, Handbook, Manuals, Newspapers and
Magazines, Reports, Atlases/Maps, Dictionary, Internet, Computer, Abstracts/Indexes, Encyclopedia and
Audio-Visual materials are available in their Institution libraries.
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iv. Majority of the respondents agreed that they use the library information resources for the purpose of
obtaining general information, for examination, for assignment and for research while those that indicated
that they use it to obtain information on sport recorded the lowest response rate.
v. Textbooks are the most utilized library information resources by the respondents.
vi. Only few respondents agreed that they are having challenges in the utilization of library information
resources.
Recommendations
Following the findings of this study the following recommendations were made to enhance better use of the
library information resources in the University of Medical Science Ondo, Ondo state.
i. Male students should be encouraged to use the library like their female counterparts
ii. The students should also be encouraged to use other resources that are underutilized.
iii. Some of the challenges hindering the use of library information resources such as noise from fellow
students, Inadequate personnel in the library to assist in getting needed information as indicated by few of
the respondents should be addressed by the management of the library and the management of the
institutions.

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