Availability of e-Resources and Accessibility of e-Services in Academic and Special Libraries in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the availability and accessibility of e-resources and online information services provided at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) and National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike libraries in Abia State, Nigeria. The research design used was descriptive survey method while useful data were elicited through a customized research instrument entitled "Questionnaire on Availability and Accessibility of e-Resources and e-Services in Academic and Special Libraries". This structured questionnaire which had item statements weighted on a 4-point modified Likert scale was subjected to validation using opinions of three experts in the areas of library science, statistics and information technology. The pilot test of the instrument adopted the test-retest method while its reliability calculated with Crombach Alpha Reliability Testing Technique produced an index of 0.81. The total population of this study is 87 - made up of 71 and 16 staff from MOUAU and NRCRI Libraries, respectively. The actual sample of 33 respondents (composed of 13 librarians and library officers from MOUAU and 10 staff of the same calibre from NRCRI) were selected purposively due to their perception as knowledgeable about the core issues under investigation. All 33 copies of the instrument administered were collected making a 100% return rate. The data obtained from the field were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean) and presented in frequency tables while the student t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that while the availability of e-resources was sporadic, accessibility and frequency of use of online information services were abysmally low. Several factors were identified as impeding the availability and accessibility of e-platforms in the libraries surveyed, including inadequate ICT facilities, slow bandwidth, poor funding and high cost of Internet subscription. The recommendations made to surmount these challenges include an adequate budgetary allocation to libraries, acquisition of modern ICT gadgets, and expansion of internet bandwidth and design of functional ICT policies for libraries in Nigeria.