ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the
relationship between use of academic library and students’ academic performance
in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The descriptive survey design was adopted
for the study and questionnaire was used for data collection. Multi-stage
sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 250 from a population of
21,154 undergraduates of the university. Findings revealed that majority
(85.9%) of the respondents indicated that they use the library while 77.6%
majority indicated that it plays an important role in their academics. Findings
also showed that majority (total of 84.3%) of the respondents indicated that
they rarely or never get the information resources they need from the library
while the purposes majority of the respondents use the library are to get
materials to supplement lecture notes (mean rating of 3.12), to keep abreast with
their studies (mean rating of 3.01) and to read their notes (mean rating of
2.96), and as such, these were the reasons they often use the library. It was
shown that majority of the respondents indicated that the use of the library
has brought about increase in their academic performance (mean rating of 3.08),
enables them understand concepts taught in the classroom better (mean rating of
2.69), and helps them perform well in their assignments. Also, majority (total
of 90.7%) of the respondents was shown to have a CGPA of between 2.00 and 3.49,
while they (72.3%) saw an increase in their CGPA from the previous academic
session even as they (72%) attributed the increase in their CGPA which shows
their academic performance, to their use of the library. Finally, it was
discovered that the challenges undergraduate students face in their use of
academic library include inadequate information resources (mean rating of
3.48), unfriendliness of librarians (mean rating of 2.72), lack of awareness of
the resources the library has (mean rating of 3.01) and lack of training on how
to use the library effectively (mean rating of 4.0). Recommendations include
that the library should educate users on how to search for information-bearing
resources on the shelves and that academic library budget should be reviewed
upward to ensure the collection of the library is beefed up with
information-bearing materials that are relevant to their clientele.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
of the Study
The academic library is the nerve-centre
or the hub around which scholarship revolves. It is an in dispensable
instrument for intellectual development. A well stocked academic library is a
storehouse of on formation, or a record of human experience to which users may
turn to for data or information.
It was observed that academic libraries
have for centuries played critically important roles in supporting research in
all subjects and disciplines within the host universities or colleges Jubb and Green
(2007). Guskin (1996) notes that the use of university libraries promoters’
active learning, thus contributing to students ability to think critically and
work well independently or in group. An academic environment without a library
is tantamount to a person without a brain. It would be pertinent to discover whether
academic libraries are indeed living up to their objectives. The effectiveness
and efficiency of se4rvices provided in academic libraries are mainly
determined by library users.
Popoola (2001) observes that
information availability does not mean accessibility and use and that academic
libraries should stimulate primary demand for their products and services. This
view was upheld by Mason (2010) who opines that libraries must be sympathetic
and helpful to all students on the hand and that on the other hand, students
must be aware that librarians and faculty members are there to instruct and
encourage their intellectual odyssey and should be seen as facilitators.
Several authors have written on the
use of academic library. Amkpa (2000) in his study of the use of university of
Maiduguri library discouraged that a majority of students did not use the
library effectively because they did not use the library catalogues. In a study
on students and faculty use of academic libraries Nigeria, with particular
reference to Delta State University Okiy (2000) found that respondents used
books more than other materials and that they browsed the shelves to locate
these materials. Julien (2000), on the other hand, observed that regular
library users are active learners who participate more in class and read, write
and study more. Opera (2001) noted that the objective of the academic library
are based on the functions of it parent institution. The basic functions of an
educational institution are teaching, research and public services.
Ifidon (1999) highlighted the objectives
of a university library as follows:
i.
Provision of materials to meet the
requirement of faculty specialists and postgraduate students carrying out
research.
ii.
Provision of materials in support of the
learning process, that is, materials for students course work, assigned
reading, as well as background reading for essays, term papers and projects.
iii.
Provision of materials to assist the
library user, in his own personal development.
iv.
Cooperation with other university
libraries with a view of developing a network of academic library resources at
the disposal of all students and teaching faculties.
v.
Meeting the specialized information
needs of the regions within which the universities are situated.
From
Ifidon’s enumeration of university (academic) library objective, it can be
deduced that the success of achieving academic goals of the parent institution
lies on the provision of accessible library and information materials by the
library. Furthermore, his enumeration indicates that the region or communities
in which the institutions are situated benefit from the knowledge of the
academic library.
The
use of library and students’ academic performance according to Cambridge
University Reporter in frequently defined in terms of examination performance.
In this study student’s academic performance was characterized by the overall
performance in each year which culminates in a grade point average (GPA).
To
this end, this study tends to survey relationship between the use of academic
libraries and students’ academic performance in Ambrose Alii University, Benson
Idahosa University and University of Benin, all in Edo State.
1.2
Statement
Of The Problem
An
academic library provides integral support services to its parent institution.
To this end, the head librarian, his staff and academic staff are expected to
team up and build information resources that can support the curricula.
Literature
abound on the relationship between use of academic libraries and students’
academic performance some of them are:
Study
habit counseling and academic performance of senior secondary school students
(Abdullahi, Atsua, Amuda and Ago 2013), factors affecting students’ academic
performance (Mushtaq and Khan 2012), factor influencing students’ academic
performance in community and government built secondary schools (Mlozi, Kaguo,
Nyamba 2013), use of academic library (Yusuf and Iwu 2010), library use and
undergraduate student outcome new evidence for student’ retention and academic success
(Soria Fransen and Nackered 2013), the role of the academic library in
promoting student engagement in learning (Kuh and Gonya 2003), emotional
intelligence and academic performances of high school students’ (Jaywardena and
Gregar 2012), study habit use of school libraries and students academic
performance (Jato, Ogunniyi and Olubiyo 2014), students’ satistaction and
academic performance (martirosyan, Saxon and Wanjohi 2014), the impact of
enquiry based learning on academic performance and student engagement
(Summerlee and Murray 2010).
Despite
the abundance of literature on the relationship between use of academic
libraries and students’ academic performance there are lapses, as none is
available in the case of undergraduate of Ambrose Alli University. Hence, the
researches seek to examine the case of Ambrose Alli University undergraduates.
1.3
Objectives
of the Study
The
general objective of the study is to determine the relationship between the use
of academic libraries and students academic performance.
The
specific objectives are to:
i.
Ascertain the reasons for which student’s
used the academic library.
ii.
Determine the frequency of library usage
by students
iii.
Ascertain the fraction and challenge
students encounter when using the library.
iv.
To determine the level of students’
academic performance
v.
To determine the relationship between
use of academic library and students’ academic performance.
1.4
Research
Questions
The following questions were posed to
guide the study.
i.
For what reasons do students use the
academic library?
ii.
How frequently do students use the
library ?
iii.
What are the frustrations and challenges
students encounter when using the library?
iv.
What are the levels of students’
academic performance?
v.
What is the relationship between use of
academic library and student academic performance?
1.5
Significance
of the Study
The purpose of an academic library
is to support students, researchers and faculty members in their academic
activities by providing necessary and adequate information materials.
Therefore, the finding of his study
will be relevant to students, researchers, Liberians, lectures and universities
authorities.
To students and researchers, it will
sensitize them on the need to make effective use of the library resources. It
will also inform the university authorities about the overwhelming role of the
academic library in the instruction.
1.6
Scope
of the Study
The operative concepts involved in this
project are two. The first is the use of academic library. The second is the
students’ academic performance.
To deal with the concepts of this
investigation within the time at the researchers’ disposal, the research is
limited to Ambrose Alli University library, in Edo State which will serve as a
case study.
1.7
Operational
Definition of Terms
Academic Libraries: These
are libraries that are attached to Universities, Polytechnic and Colleges of
education to support teaching, learning and research activities as well to
render public services.
Academic performance: This
is the extent to which a person has accomplished specific goals that were the
focus of activities in instructional environments, specifically in school,
college and university.
Relationship:
This refers to the manner in which two por more people, things or groups behave
towards or deal with each other.
Undergraduate Student: A
student is a person study at university level for a first degree.
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