Utilization Of Reference Resources By Undergraduate Students Of Library And Information Science For Effective Research In University Libraries

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 

University libraries are important sources of reference materials for high-quality teaching, learning, and research. Indexing and abstracting services in print and electronic media make reference materials available and accessible. The ultimate purpose of reference resources is to deliver precise and timely information. Reference resources are information-bearing assets in the form of persons, prints, and electronic files that reference librarians utilize to offer users with access to particular information. Personnel, such as reference librarians and support staff; print materials, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, research monographs, directories, biographies, and almanacs; information retrieval tools, such as indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, and catalogues; and electronic materials, such as computers, projectors, CD-ROMS, and the internet, as well as e-journals, databases, and e-prints Unlike other library items, users value reference resources because they include data gathered from a variety of sources and structured for simple and rapid access for a particular purpose. They are not intended to be read from cover to cover or borrowed from the library, but rather to be utilized as research tools (Abdulahi & Mamza, 2014). Reference resources are gold mines in the reference section, and their worth to users seeking relevant information is incalculable (Attama, 2013). Given the impact of these resources on student academic achievement, university libraries must employ qualified employees with a love for humanity, as well as services that will assist in providing simple access to reference materials if users can make excellent use of these rich resources. The extent to which users can access and use reference resources that are physically or electronically published in the bibliographic universe to obtain specific and accurate information in the library through indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, and catalogues is referred to as reference resource accessibility. Accessibility, according to Azubuike (2014), is the "ability to acquire access to and benefit from some system or organization." According to Azubuike, the notion often focuses on the outcome (getting happiness from the product) rather than the methods. The degree to which library users utilize and profit from reference resources in various forms to meet their information requirements is referred to as reference resource utilization. Students' ability to use technology effectively improves their knowledge and overall academic achievement. According to Mucai (2013), usage is defined as "taking advantage of and profiting from a thing." As a result, using proper resources is critical to achieving educational objectives. The amount and quality of information acquired, as well as the quality of users' research output, are determined by use. As a result, there is a need to investigate how undergraduate library and information science students in Enugu State use reference materials to conduct productive research in university libraries.

1.2 Statement of the Problem 

While there may be a high grade of reference and information resources available at the University library, it is essential that these resources be made available to students on a regular basis. Given their high prestige, the amount to which reference and information resources are made available, and the extent to which students utilize them, is unclear. On the other hand, while the University library may not be perfect in terms of reference and information services, it is unlikely that the available materials are not made available to students within the limits of their availability, and that students do not make full use of the resources that are available. However, according to other academics, such as Aguolu (2002) and Ugah (2008), the availability of information resources does not always imply accessibility or utilization due to a variety of reasons. This demonstrates that the availability and utilization of resources varied significantly. This is equally concerning, as it necessitates more research into these issues in order to bridge the gap between availability, accessibility, and consumption. It's also crucial to determine the degree of sufficiency, accessibility, use, usefulness, and pleasure received from students' use of resources. As a result, the study's rationale becomes clear: there is a need to evaluate how undergraduate library and information science students in Enugu state use reference materials for productive research in university libraries.

1.3 Objective of the Study 

The objective of the study is to examine the utilization of reference resources by undergraduate students of library and information science for effective research in university libraries in Enugu state . Specifically the study seeks to: 

(1) To identify if there is a  reference and information services and resources available to students in Enugu state University of technology. 

(2) To find out the extent the students use the various bibliographic tools in their search for information in Enugu state University of technology. 

(3) To determine the extent of accessibility of reference and information services and resources in Enugu state University of technology. 

(4) To determine if there is a purpose for the utilization of information services and resources by students of Enugu state University of technology.