Availability, Accessibility and Use of Information Resources in the Library by Students

Abstract

It is essential that library resources are easily accessible to users and effectively used to serve specific purposes. This study was conducted to determine the accessibility and use of information resources at the library of the College of Health Technology, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design and was conducted among 100 final year students of the College of Health Technology, Bayelsa State. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which elicited responses on the level, accessibility and use of information sources at the library. Data was presented on tables and expressed as frequencies and percentages. Findings revealed that respondent indicated information resources available in the library included books (97%), dictionaries (88%), and handbooks (71%) among others. Books were accessible to a high extent. Dictionaries, handbooks, directories, journals, manuals, reports, were considered accessible to low extent by the students. Most respondents used these library resources for academic purposes such as getting assignments done, reading for examinations, consult project, preparing for practical sessions, among others. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that, the information resources in the library were inadequate, and most of those that were available, were not easily accessible to the students. It was recommended that considering the students’ desire to utilize the library resources for academic activities, the identified inadequacies be resolved and the library revamped for better service provision to the students.