Abstract
The reference section of every
library remains an important arm ofsuch library. It contains materials needed
for teaching, learning, community development and research. However, studies
have shown that most ofthese materials are rarely consulted by library users,
hence, the rationale ofthe present study which investigated the extent to which
reference materials are accessed and utilized by the undergraduates of library
and information science (LIS), Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo. Six
research objectives with corresponding research questions were considered and
answered. The descriptive survey method was adopted using a total population of
133 final year undergraduates ofLIS, TSU, Jalingo. Furthermore, the complete
census technique was employed to study the entire population. A fifty-eight
(58) items questionnaire was used for data collection. 133 copies were distributed,
but 127 (95.5%) copies were returned and found suitable for data analysis. The
data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of mean scores and
frequency counts. Findings revealed a high extent of accessibility of a good
number of reference materials. Few of these materials were reported to be
utilized to a high extent leading to a relationship between the extent of
accessibility and utilization. However, numerous challenges were identified to
be facing the accessibility and utilization ofreference materials by the
undergraduates. The study concludes that the extent of accessibility determines
the extent of utilization which all proved to be high in the library studied.
It was, however, among other tilings, recommended that the management of university
libraries should intensify efforts to improve the number and quality
ofreference materials provided and make them accessible to their users.
Keywords: Libraries,
Accessibility, Utilization, Reference Materials, Undergraduates, Extent
JULIET, O (2024). Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates:- Juliet Onuoha. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/extent-of-accessibility-and-utilization-of-reference-materials-by-nigerian-university-undergraduates-juliet-onuoha-7-2
ONUOHA, JULIET. "Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates:- Juliet Onuoha" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 24 Jun. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/extent-of-accessibility-and-utilization-of-reference-materials-by-nigerian-university-undergraduates-juliet-onuoha-7-2. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
ONUOHA, JULIET. "Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates:- Juliet Onuoha". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 24 Jun. 2024. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/extent-of-accessibility-and-utilization-of-reference-materials-by-nigerian-university-undergraduates-juliet-onuoha-7-2 >.
ONUOHA, JULIET. "Extent of Accessibility and Utilization of Reference Materials by Nigerian University Undergraduates:- Juliet Onuoha" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 10 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/extent-of-accessibility-and-utilization-of-reference-materials-by-nigerian-university-undergraduates-juliet-onuoha-7-2