The Librarians’ Role in Equipping the Students to Utilize the Digital Library: A Case Study of University of Jos Library

Abstract

This research was designed to investigate the librarians’ role in equipping the students to successfully utilize the 21st Century digital library, using University of Jos library as a case study. Survey research design was adopted for this study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. There were two sets of questionnaire; the first set was for the librarians while the second set was for the undergraduate students. Using simple random technique, 20 and 600 copies of questionnaire were randomly distributed amongst the librarians and undergraduate students respectively. After which 17 and 588 copies were filled, returned and found suitable for use, representing 85% and 98% response rate. The questionnaires were later categorized and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and tables. The findings of the research revealed that about one third 204(34.69%) of the undergraduate students in University of Jos did not know about the existence of the University of Jos digital library. Furthermore, from the research it was also discovered that although most of the undergraduate students 498(84.69%) were computer literate; they still required additional ICT skills to successfully utilize the digital library. The study recommended, amongst others, the need for the students to be sensitized on the existence of the digital library and the introduction of ICT topics into the “Use of library” course outline.