Availability, Accessibility and Use of E- Resources in Selected Private Universities in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose of the present study was to examine the availability, accessibility and use of e- resources in selected private universities in South West, Nigeria. Survey research method was adopted for the study. The instruments for data collection were a researcher-designed questionnaire and observational techniques. The study found that Internet services and e-resources are adequately available for use in the academic libraries studied; e-information resources are frequently available for use in the libraries; Library users do make use of online services, since those who use e-resources daily relatively outweighed the other pattern of usage; Ease of access and use are the major factors responsible for preference of the use of e-resources to other information formats. Though usefulness, quick response, reliability of the electronic sources were other good factor for preference of electronic sources; further findings reveal that majority of the respondents use e-resources for, course work 401 (90.72%),though the e-resources is also substantially use for general reading, teaching, research, deepening e-knowledge skills, finding answers, seeking virtual treasures etc. The study recommended that the National University Commission should ensure that all the universities are functionally networked and subscribes to a major relevant academic electronic database to facilitate students’ access to and use of e-resources, on regular basis in Nigerian universities.