Abstract

This study investigated the use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) by undergraduate students of Library and Information Science in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The researchers considered the entire population as manageable and as such did not use sample. The population was drawn from year two to year four who the researchers considered to have fully registered with the university. The total population used for the study was 264. Questionnaire was used as the instrument to elicit information from respondents. The study reveals that access tools needed for information retrieval were made available for users but students prefer browsing the shelves directly to access information resources in the library. However the finding reveals that some students use OPA C in information retrieval but there seemed to become challenges faced by students in the use of OPAC in information retrieval. The major challenges as revealed by the study include: lack of awareness, insensitive attitude of library staff to users, poor network service, limited computer terminals, irregular power supply and poor information literacy skill. However, it was recommended that library staff should explore more positive ways of sensitizing the users on the advantage of OPA C in information retrieval, organize regular training for users and staff for the improvement of their ICT skills, provide alternative power supply, increase the computer terminals, and engage in collaboration with other institutions among others.