Information and Communication Technology Accessibility as Correlate of E-Resources Usage among Postgraduate Students in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

university libraries among postgraduate students. Design: A survey research design and multi-stage sampling technique were used to select 2726 postgraduate students from 16 Nigerian federal conventional universities. Two instruments (questionnaire on ICT Accessibility and an Interview Schedule for e-resources/ ICT librarians) were used to collect data and data was analysed using percentages and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. Findings: The extent to which postgraduate students’ level of accessibility to ICT facilities for using eresources was low (weighted average = 2.44). The frequency of the usage of e-resources by the postgraduates’ was adjudged low (weighted average = 2.45). Major problems postgraduate students encountered in accessing e-resources in their libraries range from internet down time, password issues, inadequate skilled staff, awareness of e-resources by the students to epileptic power supply. There is positive, very strong and significant relationship between postgraduate students’ ICT accessibility and their use of library e-resources (r = .776; df = 2284; p< .05). Research = Implications: The postgraduate students who were expected to access and use the library’s ICT facilities for retrieving their needed electronic information had low level of accessibility to the ICT facilities. The implication is that it would impede their rate of learning and also affect their general scholarships, particularly now that the whole society is in the information age where students communicate using ICT facilities. Originality/ Value: The study has added to the body of knowledge university libraries’ support in provision of ICT facilities with flexible policy use could afford postgraduate students’ access to eresources. made a pointer to University librarians on how to improve on e-resources access and utilization by setting a conducive policy use.