Institutional Repository Awareness amongst Library and Information Science Students of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study investigated awareness of Institutional Repositories (IRs) amongst students of the Department of Library and Information Science, the Federal Polytechnic Offa. Descriptive survey research design was adopted; one hundred and fifty (150) students, which constituted the sample for the study, were selected using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was the instrument for data collection and data were analyzed using simple frequencies and percentages. From the study, it was established that the respondents were aware of institutional repositories and that there was an institutional repository at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa. Also, it was revealed that lectures/lecturers (33.1%) were the respondents’ most indicated source of information about the existence of an IR in the institution, followed by library/librarian (18.2%). Further, findings showed that respondents had a positive attitude towards IR development as majority (47.9%) strongly agreed that IRs were a good idea; followed by those (26.5%) that indicated ‘agreed’. It was recommended that the institution’s IR would require more advocacy to create an all-round awareness and patronage for it; also the government should increase funding for institutions to aid in Information and Communication Technologies’ development

ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS BLENDED LEARNING

Abstract Blended learning is a learning system that combines both online and face to face learning. It has come with its advantages as well as its disadvantages thus resulting in either positive or negative attitudes of users. The study sets out to understand the attitude of postgraduate students towards blended learning and the factors that influences their attitude. The study adopted a survey method, it makes use of questionnaire for data gathering. Data was gathered from a population of 130 post graduate students in department of Information Management, Lead City University sampling a number of 97 using Krejce and Morgan table. 95 of the questionnaire which was I Google form was filled and analyzed using simple statistical table while the hypothesis was tested using multiple regression analysis via SPSS statistical software package. The study revealed positive attitude of postgraduates towards blended learning with 94.7% accepting that BL is beneficial and that it should be encouraged. Moreover, nearly nine in ten 89.5% concurred that BL is intriguing and engaging. 94.8% of the respondents agreed that the major challenge is network or internet connectivity issues. 84.2% of the respondents agreed that some topics are better treated in physical classes while 89.5% of the respondents making majority agreed that blended learning reduces the touch of human. The Null hypothesis that there is no joint significant influence of subjective norm, behavioural control and external factors on the attitude of post graduate students towards blended learning was rejected with at a significant level of (Adj.R2 =0.517, F(3,91) =34.595, p =0.000). The researcher recommends that Higher institution of learning should embrace Blended Learning as the two (face to face and online learning) can create a balanced learning experience. Keywords: Blended Learning, Attitudes, Postgraduates, Online learning, E-learning, Learning Management System. Number of words: 28

EVALUATION OF THE USE OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY THE STUDENTS’ OF LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY: A CASE STUDY OF NURSING STUDENTS

ABSTRACT The study was designed and conducted to evaluate the use of university library resources and services by nursing students of Lead City University, Ibadan. Descriptive survey design was use for this study and the population all nursing students was approximately 500 as at the time of this study, 20% of the population (100) was used. Close observation and a structured questionnaire were used with 100% return rate. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts and simple percentages). The findings shows that minority (14%) of the respondents don’t use the library on daily basis, among all the library information resources, textbooks command that highest level of patronage, accessibility and user satisfaction followed, reference resources, then newspapers. On the factors that discourages usage of the Library, resources and services, slow internet connection ranked the highest (92%) followed by library closing hours with 84% agreement, then insufficient charging points (82%), epileptic power supply accounted for 72% and lack of book borrowing service (circulation) accounted for 70%. Study however recommend constant and frequent in-house evaluation of the Library resources and services, start operating an open system where users can borrow books, conduciveness of the library environment should be of paramount interest to the library management. Word Count: 203 Key Words: Evaluation, Library, Resources, Services, facilities

Awareness and Use of Search Techniques as indicated in the Google user’s manual by Postgraduate Students of Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Abstract Precise and timely information in all aspects of human endeavor is key to the actualization of various goals. This study was carried out to determine the awareness and use of search techniques in searching for information in Google Search and Gmail by postgraduate students of Lead City University, Ibadan. The search techniques are recommended and documented by Google for efficiency in search operations. A total of 254 students were sampled using convenience sampling techniques and also filled out the structured questionnaire of which 173 copies were returned due to emergence of covid-19. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data collected. The researchers found out that about half the population of the students were not aware of the techniques as specified in the Google documentation while a little more than average used Boolean operators and phrase searching, menu option was used to a great extent, but this is not so with specials characters as their extent of use was very far from average. Also, email operators recorded moderate usage by a great number of the respondents. As a result, it is recommended that Google push the search help techniques to the front page for users to see, and Information Retrieval should be taught as a general subject at undergraduate and postgraduate levels since electronic learning is the new paradigm

Creating relevance in the Nigerian system: the place of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), National Bibliography and Curriculum Development.

Abstract Today\u27s librarianship is in the information era, when information is increasingly valued as an economic resource, a commercial commodity, and a source of societal prosperity, thus making the function of librarians very important and inevitable. An ideal Librarian will need to be a facilitator, advisor, consultant, educator, navigator, seeker, researcher, evaluator, organizer, preserver, promoter, communicator, technical expert, manager, leader, entrepreneur, and visionary, among other things. Obviously, the emergence of Information and Communication Technology has birth new frontiers as well as challenges with influences cutting across all areas of human activities and librarianship as a profession and discipline are not left out. Thus making the place of library as information provider threatened, therefore, the need for justification of its existence and relevance. This paper discussed the place of SDI, National Bibliography and the urgent need for institution curriculum review if librarian relevance will be achieved in the Nigerian context. SDI as a reference service is domiciled in the academics but its tentacles could be extended outside to the political circles and economic stakeholders as well as organizations. An online and regular updated version of National bibliography should be produced as it will enhance free and boundless access, more so, it will create a sense of national recognition for authors and access to recently published materials for librarians. Curriculum should be upgraded to include emerging trends as the current one only contains the rudiments of information and Communication Technology. Relevance of libraries and librarianship as a whole in this present dispensation is not possible without embracing emerging technologies