Statement of the problem
University Library is a repository of resources; it is an integral part of the educational system whose primary function is to serve users (students, researchers and staff). Computers and related electronic database have come to play a central role in education. Electronic resources are the prime ingredients and they become a common part of the suite of most academic library resources today. E-databases have brought about a shift in the provision of library services and information by providing wide access to resources from different parts of the world with ease. E- resources provide many advantages over the traditional print based resources. They contain current information because they are updated frequently. They offer advanced search capabilities, and offer flexibility in the storage of results. They enable access and use of information without restriction of time and location.(Kumar and Kumar 2010). Academic libraries provide access to information resources in various formats including electronic information resources services. This is through open access international donors or annual subscription of online databases such as HINARI, JSTORE, DOAJ, AJOL, EBSCOHOST etc. and other offline information resources, to facilitate access to information resources to users. However, preliminary investigation revealed that most electronic information resources in the Nigeria university Libraries were underutilized (Olusanya, 2014) and there is no element of publicity regarding their availability and usage (Stephen,2012). This brought about the need to investigate the availability and usage of E-databases in Academic Libraries Kwara state.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the awareness and uses of library electronic databases by lecturers in university libraries in two selected colleges in kwara state university.
The objectives of the study are as follows;
1. Identify the types of available library Electronic databases that lecturers are aware of in the selected colleges in kwara state university.
2. Investigate the types of library E-databases used by lecturers in selected colleges in kwara state university.
3. Ascertain the extent of use of library e-database by lecturers in selected colleges in kwara state university
4. To find out the purpose of use of electronic Resources available in the academic libraries in kwara state university.
5. Identify factors that affect the use of library e-database by lecturers and those problems militating against the use of E=databases in the selected colleges in kwara state university.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What types of Electronic Databases are available which the lecturers are aware of in the library ?
2. What types of E-databases are used by lecturers?
3. What is the extent of usage of the E-databases are available for the lecturers in two selected colleges?
4. What are the purpose of the usage of electronic resources available in academic library in kwara state?
5. What are those factors and problems that affect the usage of library E-databases by lecturers in the selected colleges of Kwara state university?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study will reveal the level of awareness and usage of e-databases by lecturers of some selected colleges in Kwara state university and to provide e-services to the growing e-library users. Also, the findings of the study will be of great importance to the government and university management functionaries to plan better in order to meet the changing technological needs of their university libraries. Also, it will serve as a guide to Nigerian university library management in the area of planning and establishing e-libraries.
The study will also be beneficial to librarians and information scientist; with this study they will know the importance of utilization of e resources that is access to current information regardless of time and location. Which would make them accelerate in their profession.
The study would serve as a source of feedback for the college libraries in the institutions on the provision of electronic information resources and services to the academics and community in general.
The finding of the study could be used as a source of reference for other research on library promotion and use of electronic information resources.
1.6 Scope of the study
This study shall examine the level of awareness and usage of E-databases by lecturers in kwara state university. Specifically, the study shall cover two selected colleges in kwara state university, malete.
The two selected colleges shall consist of the following colleges which are the College of Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T) and the College of Education State University, Malete.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
(a) Library Resources: These refer to items containing information anything that is consulted to obtain information.
(b) University Library: A place where print and non-print information materials are kept for use in a university.
(c) Electronic Database: database is an organized collection of information or data usually in computer readable form
College: A specialized, semi-autonomous division of a university, with its own faculty, department, library, etc
Lecturers; A person who gives lectures especially as a profession
Awareness; A state of level of consciousness where sense data can be confirmed by an observer
Use; A purpose for which something may employed
