Control Mechanism of Deviant Behaviour among Library Users: A Study of Government Owned Universities in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the deviant behaviours of library users and potential strategies for the control of these behaviours. The study covers Delta State University, Abraka and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study with a population of 1216 library users which comprises both staff and students. 365 respondents were selected via the random sampling technique which is 30% of the total population. Four research questions were posed to guide the study. The instrument adopted for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Out of the 365 questionnaires distributed to the respondents, 314 questionnaires were retrieved and found usable for the study. In analyzing the data obtained, percentage, frequency, pyramid and bar charts were used. The results obtained from the findings revealed that the major deviant behaviour engaged by users of the library are answering calls in the reading hall, smuggling food and drinks into the library, mutilation/ defacing library books. Majority of the respondents indicated they engage in such acts because they are ignorant of the library rules and behaviour, ignorant of the gravity of the offense. The study also revealed that the extent to which users engage in such behaviours is very low. The strategies that could be employed to control the persistence of these behaviours as indicated in the study are proper orientation of new library users especially on library rules and regulations, during instruction classes more emphasis should be put on library rules and regulations, and the implication of engaging in such behaviours should be properly spelt to users during the registration stage to mention but a few. The study recommends the following: Proper orientation of library users during registration and instruction classes; Sanction of deviant users should be implemented to checkmate deviant users; Disciplinary procedure such as fine, penalty etc should also be implemented and Security measures should be employed

Screening, Interviews, Selection Processes and its Effect on Job Performance of Librarians in Federal University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

The study investigated Screening, Interviews, Selection Processes and Its Effects on job Performance of librarians in federal university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. The study adopted the correlation research design. Four (4) research questions and three (3) hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised 108 academic librarians in the six Federal universities spread across the six states of South-South, Nigeria. The entire 108 questionnaires was administered to the respondents, only 95 was filled and returned, and was used for the study because the entire population size was manageable. The overall reliability of the instrument yielded 0.95 with the use of Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The rating scale of 4 points was subjected to an estimation procedure using SPSS version 17.0. A mean score of 2.5 and above on any item was accepted. Pearson r and R2 was used to answer the research questions while the null hypotheses were tested with the use of linear regression analysis. The major findings of the study were that the extent on the screening process used for recruitment of librarians was moderately high; the interview method used for the recruitment of librarians were rated moderately high; the selection criteria adopted for the recruitment of librarians was high. Based on the findings, it was recommended as follows: Screening of suitable librarians should be carried out diligently; The interview method should not be biased; Selection of qualified librarians should be done according to the laid down procedures

Utilization of Cell Phone for Research among Postgraduate Students in the University of Nigeria Nsukka: The Study

This study examined the utilization of cell phone for research among postgraduate students of the University of Nigerian Nsukka. In carrying out this study five research questions were posed. The study sample population comprised 231 postgraduate students of the university. The instrument used for data collection in this study was questionnaire. Research question were answered using frequency, bar chart and percentage to analyzing the data. Findings of the study reveal that majority of the postgraduate students in the University of Nigeria Nsukka made use of their mobile phones for research. The study also reveals that they made use of it all the time as shown in figure 4. Majority of the respondents agreed that cell phone helped them to solve /meet their information needs. Keywords: Utilization; Cell Phone; Postgraduate Students; University of Nigeria Nsukka

Utilization of the library and its effect on academic achievement of undergraduates in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria

The study investigates utilization of the library and its effect on academic achievement of undergraduates in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 300 undergraduates from the university under study. A total of 300 copies of questionnaire were distributed and 243 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above and percentage score of 50% were considered as acceptable. The study revealed that learning, research, preparation for exams are the benefit of utilizing the university libraries. Factors impeding the utilization of the library includes, obsoletes books, poor infrastructure, lack of proper orientation to library usage and as well as erratic power supply. Strategies to improve on utilization of the library to aid academic achievement are provision of current books; infrastructures, constant power supply as well as library orientation to undergraduates

Critical steps in recruiting librarians in academic libraries

The study investigated the critical steps in recruitment librarians in academic libraries. The process includes planning, advertisement, interview, screening, selections and placement of recruited librarians. Schema of the critical steps of recruitment process of librarians was also adopted

Defiant Attitude among Library Users in Federal University of Petroleum Resources Library Effurun (FUPRE) Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the causes of deviant attitude among library users in Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Nigeria. A survey research design was used for the study with a population of 300 potential users of the library. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Out of 300 questionnaires distributed to potential users of the library, 267 were correctly filled and returned. In analyzing the data obtained, percentage, frequency, pyramid and bar charts were used. The results obtained from the findings revealed that a wide range of deviant attitude associated with the users of FUPRE   library exist, reasons for deviant attitude as well as solution/recommendation were proffer to address the situation in the library under study. Keywords: Deviant Attitude, Library Users, FUPRE Library

User’s Utilization of Newspaper Media in a Nigerian University Library

This study was designed to assess user’s utilization of newspaper media in Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun libraries. The design adopted for the study was a survey design. The total population of the study was 1,816 library users of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE). A total of 816 of respondents were selected out of the total population. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select respondents across the central and the two colleges libraries in the University. These colleges are college of technology and college of science. Questionnaire was used for data collection. 816 questionnaires were distributed to library users, with multiple responses from figure 2 to 5 respectively. The Questionnaire were correctly filled and returned. In analyzing the data obtained, percentage, frequency, and graphs were used. The results obtained from the findings revealed that library users of FUPRE consult 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and more than 5 different types of newspapers daily in order to solve their information needs, the newspapers includes Vanguard, Guardian, Punch, Pointer, Complete Sport, and the Nation respectively. The different purpose of reading newspapers in the library was to provides them with information, others are to broaden the horizon of general knowledge, from searching new jobs, for educational purpose, for entertainment, to know the sport news, as usual task of the day, to pass the time, it improves status in the society, to keep abreast with present happenings of all over the world, for getting various scholarship, to improve the health consciousness and other reasons known to them. In another development, library users’ focus strictly on the following information in a newspaper media, they are sensational new, advertisement, editorial page, international news, politics, sports, entertainment, business news, educational news, agriculture, health issues and letters. Different challenges confronting user’s utilization of newspaper media was also revealed, they are lack of reading space, high cost of newspapers, limited copies of newspapers in the library, lack of qualify personnel to man the library, excessive heat or cold in the library and interruption of electricity. Keywords: Users, Utilization, Newspaper Media, Nigerian University Library

Conference attendance and job satisfactions of librarians in some selected university libraries in South - South, Nigeria

The study investigated conference attendance and job satisfaction of librarians in some selected university libraries in South –South, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive study. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 113 recruited librarians in all the federal universities libraries in South- South Nigeria. A total of 113 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 95 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above and percentage score of 50% were considered as acceptable. The study revealed that the effects of conference attendance among librarians in the university libraries under study are as follow: professional experience, learns about current events, learn about current technology, learn about current trend and improves job satisfaction. Also, the study further affirmed that the extent of conference attendance among librarians are: It improves relations among librarians, it opens new horizon in the profession, it helps to recognize the interdependence of knowledge and information and to improve on their basic education. The study recommends that parent institutions should try as much as possible to sponsor librarians to conferences to broaden their horizon. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) should make funds available and disbursed accordingly for the sponsorship of conferences in librarianship

Wheelchair Users and Their Information Needs: Library in Rescue

This study is aimed at examining the information needs of the wheelchair users in Oyo State Public Library, Ibadan, Nigeria. A Survey research design was adopted. Four objectives were set for the study and the interview was used to elicit information from respondents. Findings showed that (81%) were male while (19%) were female. Findings also reveal that the information needs of wheelchair users covered education (95%), recreational (86%), social/personal (72%), security/government policies programmes (70%), health (67%), politics (63%) and (21%) others information. The study revealed that Internet (79%) and (72%) library topped the highest ways of meeting the information needs. Also, (63%) wheelchair users visit the library every day while (16%) visit the library once in two days whereas (12%) visit the library about three times in a week and (9%) visit the library occasionally. The study showed that (60%) found the information resources inadequate in meeting their needs. Problems confronting wheelchair user’s information needs include, inadequate entrance (100%) and lack architectural design (95%), (74%) inadequate orientation/lack of chairs with sturdy armrests, (72%) inability to retrieve books/social discrimination, (67%) poor concentration/inadequate facilities, (51%) staff attitude is discouraging, (40%) inadequate relevant materials and (7%) others. The paper concludes that the government of Nigeria need to articulate policies to remove the barriers faced by the less privileged among us. Recommendations were put forward to enhance adequate and relevant information by the wheelchair users in the library

Creativity of librarians as determinant of job performance in some selected polytechnic libraries in Delta State, Nigeria

The study investigated the creativity of librarians as determinant of job performance in some selected polytechnic libraries in Delta State. The study adopted a descriptive survey using questionnaire to collect data. The population of the study consists of 45 librarians. A total of 45 questionnaires were distributed only 33 were retrieved using descriptive statistics, the mean and percentage of the data were calculated. A mean score of 2.5 or above and a percentage score of 50% were taken into consideration. The study revealed five (5) creativity factors possess by librarians in some selected polytechnic libraries in Delta state as experience, intelligence, new ideas, motivation and imagination. The study further affirmed the effects of creativity on the job performance of librarians in some selected polytechnic libraries in Delta state as it help to boost self-esteem, it foster organizational growth, it provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, it reduces stress and improve mental health and it increases feelings of happiness and contentment. The study recommends that librarians should develop new ideas in librarianship since the profession is now a dynamic one and librarians should also be sponsored to seminars and workshops to boost their creativity on the job