Library Use Education as a Correlate of Use of Library Resources in a Nigerian University

The study focused on the effective of library education as a correlate to the use of library resources in a Nigerian university. The hallmark of education is the ability of the recipient of it to put whatever they have learnt into practice. Students in Nigerian tertiary institutions are introduced to the use of library to quicken their efforts in getting and using the library resources at the quickest possible time. The study also attempts to know the extent of the use of library resources and services. The relevance of library use education to the under study population are also investigated. The results of the findings revealed that much has not been achieved on the use of library resources and services and the use of Information Technology (IT) tools in the library. Urgent improvements are necessary in the areas investigated in order that the aim and objective of the library use education could be fully achieved, as suggestions for its improvements are also given

Evaluation of Automated Cataloguing System in Academic Libraries in Oyo State Nigeria

This study investigated automated cataloguing system in academic libraries in selected higher institutions in Oyo State Nigeria. The population of the study covered all the forty one (41) professional and para-professional cataloguers working in the cataloguing section. Total enumeration technique was used for data collection. Questionnaire was distributed to all the cataloguers in the selected institutions. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data collected. The result of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system saves time taking to catalogue information materials in the libraries. The result of the study also revealed that the selected institutions did not share resources among themselves. The finding of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system made cataloguing of information materials in the libraries faster. Therefore, the study concluded that automated cataloguing system in institutions’ libraries is a desirable one. Hence, the study recommended that in addition to cataloguing section, all other sections in the libraries be automated and provision of information technology tools needed for effective system be made available in the libraries

Investigation of Thermal Insulation Properties of Biomass Composites

This paper reports on the investigation of thermal properties of Kapok, Coconut fibre and Sugarcane bagasse composite materials using molasses as a binder. The composite materials were moulded into 12 cylindrical samples using Kapok, Bagasse, Coconut fibre, Kapok and Bagasse in the ratios of (70:30; 50:50 and 30:70), Kapok and Coconut fibre in the ratios of (70:30; 50:50 and 30:70), as well as a combination of Kapok, Bagasse and Coconut fibre in ratios of (50:10:40; 50:40:10 and 50:30:20). The sample size is a 60mm diameter with 10mm – 22mm thickness compressed at a constant load of 180N using a Budenberg compression machine. Thermal conductivity and diffusivity tests were carried out using thermocouples and the results were read out on a Digital Multimeter MY64 (Model: MBEB094816), while a Digital fluke K/J thermocouple meter PRD-011 (S/NO 6835050) was used to obtain the temperature measurement for diffusivity. It was observed that of all the twelve samples moulded, Bagasse, Kapok plus Bagasse (50:50), Kapok plus Coconut fibre (50:50) and Kapok plus Bagasse plus Coconut fibre (50:40:10) has the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.0074, 0.0106, 0.0132, and 0.0127 W/(m-K) respectively and the highest thermal resistivity. In this regard, Bagasse has the lowest thermal conductivity followed by Kapok plus Bagasse (50:50), Kapok plus Bagasse plus Coconut fibre (50:40:10) and Kapok plus Coconut fibre (50:50)

Determination of heavy metals of road deposited sediment in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria using XRF Technique

In this work x-ray fluorescence(XRF) technology was used to evaluate the soil pollution with heavy metals (K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr) in rain run-off deposited metal sediment of road side soil in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The investigated sediment of road side was collected in open places along the road at different districts in Ado Ekiti. XRF was carried out at the laboratory of Obafemi Awolowo University centre for energy research using handheld thermo scientific energy-dispersive XRF analyzer. The experimental result indicate that the concentration of heavy elements in Adebayo road is the highest level detected while the road at new Iyin road is lowest and they are greater than the level detected in a control soil collected from a zone situated far from the road. For the majority of metals, pronounced maximum, concentrations were detected in the site. Anthropogenic releases give rise to highest concentrations of the metals relative to the normal background values and in some locations their levels exceed the alert level admitted by the Nigeria guideline

Evaluation of Automated Cataloguing System in Academic Libraries in Oyo State Nigeria

This study investigated automated cataloguing system in academic libraries in selected higher institutions in Oyo State Nigeria. The population of the study covered all the forty one (41) professional and para-professional cataloguers working in the cataloguing section. Total enumeration technique was used for data collection. Questionnaire was distributed to all the cataloguers in the selected institutions. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data collected. The result of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system saves time taking to catalogue information materials in the libraries. The result of the study also revealed that the selected institutions did not share resources among themselves. The finding of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system made cataloguing of information materials in the libraries faster. Therefore, the study concluded that automated cataloguing system in institutions’ libraries is a desirable one. Hence, the study recommended that in addition to cataloguing section, all other sections in the libraries be automated and provision of information technology tools needed for effective system be made available in the libraries

Assessment of Microbial and Heavy Metal Concentration per Distance and Depth at a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

ABSTRACT The field study involved 4 sites and 15 samples according to the wind directions: North, East, South and West. The analysis was conducted through the use of Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Ten types of heavy metals were identified as indicators for pollution namely Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd. The results indicated that the concentration of Fe was the most dominant per specific distances and depths and exceeded the minimum standard in North, East and West directions. While Cu was the second most dominant with concentration exceeding minimum standard per specific distance and depth, mainly in the West direction. The results have shown presence of bacterial species including Pseudomonas, Mirococcus, Actinomyces, Neisseria, Bacillus and Klebsiella. These pathogens can infect wounds and cause sepsis and mortality and can even occur with such organisms to cause secondary infection. These groups of organisms are almost impossible to control since they are ubitiquous

Farmers' willingness to pay towards the sustainability of plant clinics: Evidence from Bangladesh, Rwanda and Zambia

Fee-based agricultural extension programmes have been proposed in response to the constraints of funding public extension services. This has piqued researchers' interest in determining farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for extension services in recent decades. The current study examines farmers' WTP to ensure the sustainability of plant clinics. Smallholder farmers in over 30 countries benefit from this demand-driven extension method, which delivers plant health diagnostic and consulting services. External funders are now paying the plant clinic operations, which raises worries about their long-term viability if the funding stops. We used survey data from 602, 637, and 837 households in Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Zambia. We discovered that roughly 64% of the sample farmers were willing to pay an amount sufficient to cover the operational costs of an established plant clinic using the iterative bidding technique of eliciting WTP. Farmers in Bangladesh, Rwanda, and Zambia were willing to spend an average of 0.27USD, 0.85USD, and 2.25USD per visit to plant clinics. According to our findings, farmers appear to value the plant clinic extension method and are eager to contribute to its long-term viability. Therefore, piloting fee-paying plant clinic services to determine farmers' actual WTP and preferred payment options would be beneficial

Understanding university community’s mental health needs and the determinants of wellbeing sequala: a qualitative study

Mental health among university students is on the increase every day, therefore this study investigates mental health needs and determinants of psychological well-being of the university community. This explanatory qualitative research design used a purposive sampling technique to sample 13-participant (with age-ranged between 21 to 57years; age mean=30.7years) at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Data was gathered using a key informant interview. Themes emerged from the data analysis, and excerpts from the participant interviews were used to illustrate the themes. Following data analysis, the research study found that the age of adolescents with emotional dysregulation, poor lecturers/students relationships, study life imbalance, and inaccessibility to counseling services were shown as the determinants of mental health among university students. Results revealed that there is a need for internet-based mental health services with substance abuse screening and audio/visual display facilities. Furthermore, empowerment of counseling staff, students, and the university community with periodic workshops/seminars on mental health awareness and integration of mental health modules into the General Studies (GNS) curriculum was found as the needs of the university community to boost their mental healthiness. We conclude that adolescence age, poor lecturer-student relationships, study life imbalance, and inaccessible counseling services are determinants of psychological distress. Therefore, insightful and rebranded interventions like e-mental health services and awareness programs are required to restore psychological wellbeing on the university campus