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USAGE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES AMONG 

UNDERGRADUATES IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE IN 

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA AND ENUGU STATE COLLEGE 

OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) 

 

By 

DR. CHUKWU EBELE GEORGINA 

Department of Library and Information Science 

Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu 

08035861074 

chiebele@yahoo.com 

 

Abstract 

This study of use of electronic information resources among undergraduates of library 

and information science in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) and Enugu State 

College of Education (Technical), Enugu (ESCET),. The major objectives of the study is 

to  investigate the types of electronic information resources available in NAU and ESCET 

digital libraries, respectively; the means through which undergraduates become aware 

and make use of these electronic resources in digital libraries; the extent of 

undergraduates awareness of these electronic resources. 

 

The total population of study is two hundred and eighty (280),consisting of 250 registered 

regular undergraduates of Library and information science in Nnamdi Azikiwe 

University, and 30 registered undergraduate students of library and information science 

in Enugu State College of Education. The study utilized a finite population, and Yaro 

Yamenne’s  statistical formula was used to establish a sample size of one hundred and 

sixty five (165). Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Thereafter, 

descriptive statistics such as mean were used for data analysis.  

KEYWORD: library and information science, undergraduates, population, electronic 

and resources 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Information technology has influenced all aspects of librarianship and information 

service delivery. The life–wire of any society especially the university environment is 

information, and its use is as old as man. Advances in computer application during the 

past few decades has brought a radical change in the way information is gathered, stored, 

organized, accessed, retrieved and consumed. Today, many students access information 

electronically via the Internet using desktops, laptops, palmtops and mobile phones. 

Electronic resources supply all the information that a library provides through computer 

network. These include electronic books, electronic journals, bibliographic databases, 

library web pages’ articles from magazines, encyclopedias, pamphlets and other 

mailto:CHIEBELE@YAHOO.COM


 

 

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resources that are accessed on electronic devices. Oduwole and Akpati (2003) noted that 

CD-ROM and electronic mail constitute a part of electronic resources. This is very 

important for university libraries since most of them call for more research work. This 

important fact is convincing many libraries to move towards digital e–resources, which 

are found to be less expensive and more accessible. This is especially helpful to the 

distant learners who have limited time to access the libraries from outside by dial-up 

access to commonly available electronic resources. In developed countries, studies have 

shown that students prefer electronic resources to print materials. Bar-llan, Peritz, and 

Wolman (2003) remarked that the use of electronic resources is wide spread in Israel. 

These resources are updated more often than printed materials. In addition, especially for 

distant learners, electronic resources can be accessed from outside the university library.   

Indeed, without information, there cannot be communication (Nnadi and Okafor, 2014). 

Libraries have witnessed a great metamorphosis in recent years both in their collection 

development and in their service structure. Print media is increasingly giving way to the 

electronic form of materials.  

 

Electronic information resources (e-resources) according to Ekwelem, Okafor and 

Ukwuoma (2009), may be defined as information sources that are available and can be 

accessed electronically through computer network facilities, such as the online libraries, 

government portals and website, CD - ROM databases, online academic database such 

as Medline, or subscription to databases such as EBSCOHOST.   Also, e-resources 

provide access to literally thousands of magazines and newspapers, far more than the 

orthodox library could possibly subscribe to in a paper format. The e-resources are free 

to library users that can access them from any computer with internet access, 24 hours a 

day, 7 days a week (24/7). One does not have to wait for the library to open to access 

them. Through e-resources researchers can find articles on particular topics at the same 

time without having to search each Publication separately. Commenting on the 

advantages of e-resources, Daddies (2007) opined that e-resources gives access to 

information that might be restricted to the users due to geographical location or finances.  

Library is a center for learning, storing and disseminating information, both in print and 

non-print formats.  Library is established to provide information to its users and the 

services are interwoven. It`s is a learning hub that engages and empowers students and 

lecturers to all kinds of format of information that traditional printing could never be able 

to cover. Library is the heart and lifeline of any citadel of learning. The quality of 

teaching, learning and research is predicated on the robust availability, accessibility and 

utilization of library and information resources. Library has been the repository for the 

wisdom of mankind for ages, and the source of educational inspiration and intellectual 

food on which students, lecturers, researchers and administrators are nourished (Nnadi 

2012). 

 



 

 

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Most academic libraries have fully computerized all routine activities and can boast of 

functional virtual library services which give students, and staff access to the Web Public 

Access Catalogue (WEBPAC) and other electronic resources from offices, departments 

where there is a web browser anywhere in the globe and at all times. Libraries facilitate 

services to its users and also provide access to electronic databases such as 

EBSCOHOST, JSTOR, AGORA, and HINARI. These databases permit access to over 

40,000 electronic journals across all discipline, thus, creating an enhanced resource - base 

for teaching, learning and research in educational institutions. 

  

Electronic information resources are important to undergraduates because they need to 

have access to timely, accurate and relevant academic information (Nnadi, 2012). 

Computer services like the internet and other electronic sources have greatly increased 

the speed of searching for information. They have brought considerable relief to students 

in tertiary institutions, as students can conveniently walk into any library that has its 

holdings on the internet and have access to unlimited information sources.  

 

Electronic information resources offer many advantages. According to Nnadi (2012). An 

outstanding advantage of electronic resources is that the information needed can be 

delivered from the most appropriate source to the user.  The user can re-specify his or 

her needs dynamically. The information is obtained when it is wanted, and so comes just 

in time. Electronic information can therefore provide a number of advantages over print 

based resources. Electronic information is often faster than consulting print indexes, 

especially when searching retrospectively. Electronic resources can be printed and search 

results saved, to be recalled at a later date. They are updated more easily and more often 

than conventional resources. One main advantage, especially for those with limited time 

to access the library and distance learners, is their availability from outside the library by 

dial-up access. Mobile phones and the internet are seen as easier and more convenient in 

the co-ordination of activities, for example, in planning, seeking information and 

communication.  

 

Electronic resources also generate opportunities to find new interests, activities and 

friends which may be positive in terms of one’s quality of life. Electronic resources 

provide an access to unlimited sources of information through search engines, which are 

continuously being upgraded to provide efficient ways to help users find what they want. 

They also offer the ability to integrate text with charts, graphs, photographs, sound, video 

and other forms of multimedia. It is apparent that the use of these electronic Information 

resources requires special skill in information and communication technology that will 

help students navigate the maze of resources at their disposal via telecommunication 

channels (Balogun, 2008). Ultimately, electronic resources have much to offer, but their 

utility depends on awareness of users and extent of use.  



 

 

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But these electronic resources are indispensable in this 21st century in our institutions. 

Therefore, academic libraries are encouraged to provide and make these facilities 

available and accessible to students, although the challenges are enormous. In academic 

libraries in Nigeria, poor electricity power, lack of funds, lack of formal training, slow 

Internet connection, insufficient printing facilities and insufficient computers are some 

of the problems encountered in the use of electronic resources by students. With the 

introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT), undergraduates in the 

universities under study are expected to make maximum use of electronic resources as 

one of their major sources of information for learning and research. Hence, this study is 

to investigate the use of electronic resources by undergraduate students in Nnamdi 

Azikiwe university (NAU), Awka and Enugu State College of Education(Technical) 

(ESCET), Enugu, both in the Eastern region of Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 

Awka, is a federal university in Nigeria. It has two campuses, one at Awka, the state 

capital and the second at Nnewi in Awka South Local Government. Enugu State College 

of Education (Technical) Enugu is a State Institution, located in Enugu, the state capital. 

The two tertiary institutions through a number of supported programmers have embarked 

on provision of electronic information to facilitate study programs and research. The 

transition from print to electronic medium, apart from resulting in the growth of 

electronic information, has provided users with new tools and applications for accessing 

information. NAU and ESCET recognize the need to provide students, researchers and 

faculty members with electronic information facilities by provision of modern computer 

laboratories or Cyber cafes equipped with advanced computer databases and internet 

connectivity. 

 

it has been found that e-resources are information resources that can be accessed and are 

available electronically and they include online database, e-Journal, e-book, e-

encyclopedia, and internet, database CD-ROM, etc.  

 

Many reasons accounted for students' utilization of electronic information resources in 

libraries. Among these include acquisition of knowledge, monitoring publications in the 

different fields of study, looking for information to fuel some academic or scientific 

debate, retrieving resources to carry out some assignment and they become aware of e-

resources through the institution’s website, library guide, library orientation, friends etc.  

Also, empirical studies relate to the present study agreed to the fact that e-resources are 

important library resources that complements the print materials.  

 

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Library, Awka  and Enugu State College Education 

(Technical), Enugu, Nigeria, were found to possess qualified librarians, print materials, 

computer and e-resources to support teaching learning among staff and students .From 

the literature reviewed, many researchers have studied so much on computer and internet 

usage in Nigerian universities, but no one has carried out a study on  use of electronic 



 

 

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information resources among undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and 

Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu . Therefore this study is directed 

to achieve this in order to fill the gap of dearth of studies/research in this area of study.  

 

RESEARCH METHOD 
The method used in the research. It shows the design of the study, the population and 

selection of the respondent, the method/instrument used for collecting data, and method 

used for analyzing the data. 

 

Research Design 

This study adopted a qualitative approach due to the nature of the area of research.  

The study used a convenience sampling technique to take a sample. The focus on a small 

sample enabled the researcher to study the information-seeking behaviour of students in 

depth. 

According to Nworgu (1991), a case study usually provides thorough, in-depth, 

comprehensive and well-ordered information concerning the social unit in question.  

 

 

Area of the Study  

The study was carried out in two of the higher institutions in Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe 

University, Awka, Anambra State and Enugu State College of Education (Technical), 

Enugu, Enugu State, as specially carried out in the digital libraries of the two institutions 

in Nigeria.  

Population of the Study  

The population of study consists of the 250 registered regular undergraduates of Library 

and Information Science in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and 30 registered 

undergraduate students of library and information in Enugu State College of Education 

(Technical), Enugu, totaling 280. 

 

Sample and Sampling Technique  

Since the study involved a finite population, Yaro Yamenne’s (1969) statistical formula 

was used. Fortunately, this formula evolves a reliable sample size that ensures accurate 

results. 

The formula is expressed as seen in Appendix A; 

𝑛 =
𝑁

{1 + 𝑁(𝑒)2}
 

The resultant sample space is 165. 

The proportionate figure for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU), out of the 

sample space of 165 is 147. 

The proportionate figure for Enugu state College of Education (Technical), Enugu 

(ESCET), out of the sample space of 165 is 18 



 

 

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Instrument for Data Collection  

The questionnaire is one of the effective means of data collection for the research. The 

questionnaire in this research work is for the Undergraduate students of Library and 

information Science, NAU and ESCET. Two types of questions are used. The 

unstructured and structured questions. The structured or open-ended questions allow the 

respondent freedom to supply their response, whereas structured or closed/fixed 

responses question provide options. The respondents are expected to tick their choices. 

Also the questionnaire was structured using four-point rating scale of strongly agree (SA) 

Agree (A) Disagree (D) strongly disagree (SD)  

The questionnaire was titled:  Use of Electronic Information Resources.  

Questionnaire was developed by the researcher for the purpose of generating data for the 

study. The items on the instrument were generated from literature review. 

 

Validation of the Instrument  

The instrument used was validated by three experts, one in measurement and evaluation, 

two from Library and information Science department. The experts critically examine 

the items and made corrections where necessary. The instrument was finally rewritten by 

the researcher by integrating the suggestions and correction painted out by the lecturers.  

 

Reliability of the Instrument 

To test the reliability of instrument, the researcher administered questionnaire to 20 

libraries and information science student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU),  

the reliability coefficient of instrument was established using Cronbach technique.  

Reliability coefficients obtained for the various parts of the instrument were; Part I = 

0.86; Part II = 0.61, Part III = 0.76, Part IV = 0.64 and 0.73. The grand reliability 

coefficient value = 0.89. This value shows that the instrument is very reliable as it is 

above 0.50. 

 

Method of Data collection 
The collection of relevant data for the study was made through direct contact. The 

researcher distributed the questionnaire by hand and collected it through same method 

for analysis. 

The formular used = 

X =EF X/N 

Where – 

       X = mean 

X=Nominal value 

N=Frequency 

EF = Summation or total 

     = 4+3+2+1 =10/4 = 2.5  



 

 

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Decision Rule. Hence, any of the responses, therefore that have mean score of 2.5 and 

above is regarded as agreed while any value below 2.5 is regarded as disagreed. 

 

CONCLUSION 
The researcher studied awareness and extent of use of electronic information resources 

among undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Enugu State College of 

Education (Tech) Library. Descriptive research design was used and the population of 

the study consists of 120 registered regular undergraduate students of library and 

information science. The purpose of this study was to find out the awareness and extent 

of use of electronic information resources among the undergraduates, and the channels 

through which they become aware and use electronic information resources, problems 

they encounter in using electronic information resources, and strategies for improving 

awareness and extent of use of electronic information resources.  

In conclusion and based on the findings of this study, recommendations on how to 

alleviated the problems of the undergraduates' awareness and extent of use of electronic 

information resources in libraries were made, suggestions for further research, as well as 

limitations of this study were stated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

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