Library Use in Distance Learning: A Survey of Undergraduates in Three Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The library is an important tool for individuals' intellectual development. In particular, academic libraries often contain the core resources for research, teaching and learning. This study focused on the use of library and information resources by distant learning (part-time) students of three Nigerian universities. The randomly selected students were in 300-500 levels in the faculties running the programmes. The questionnaire and observation methods were used for data collection. The findings revealed that the arrangements for students to use libraries need to be improved upon. Less than half of the respondents used their main university libraries regularly. Some respondents indicated that they used the departmental libraries and other libraries outside the campus mainly for reading their personal books. The students hardly used reference and electronic resources. Also, majority of the students received no library use instructions. Thus, a student could graduate without having used libraries. The study recommends that universities need to make provision for students to access library and information resources and provide necessary training on information sourcing to the part-time, distance- learning students.