ABSTRACT

The study was on accessibility and utilisation of library resources by colleges of education students in South East, Nigeria. The study was guided by five objectives covering methods used by College of Education students in accessing library resources in the college libraries; the extent to which these accessibility methods are effective in facilitating the utilization of the library resources; challenges associated with accessibility and utilisation of library resources, and the strategies for improving accessibility and utilisation of the library resources among students. Five research questions were also formulated from the objectives to guide the researcher in her study. A survey research design was used for the study. The study is made up of a total of 7,200 students and a sample of 360 students was selected using multi-stage sampling technique. The questionnaire with title "Accessibility and Utilisation of Library Resources Questionnaire" ( A ULRQJ contains 84 items. It is divided into two sections: section A was on demographic information while section B answered the five research questions used for the study. The findings of the study revealed that accessibility enhances utilisation of library resources by students in Federal Colleges of Education in South East. Nigeria. Library resources are provided for students in different areas of disciplines offered by students and in different formats. Considering the access tools provided by these college libraries for utilisation of library resources, students prefer browsing the shelves and at times rely on the assistance of library staff for the utilization of library resources. Result, also revealed underutilisation of library resources; students only go to the library for assignments and examination preparation and make most use of textbooks than other library resources in carrying out their academic activities. There is no doubt that the students faced some challenges in the process of accessing and utilizing library resources which include poor library guide, lack of awareness. poor arrangement of books on the shelves, insensitive attitude of library staff and poor knowledge in the use of access tools. Based on this, the study recommended provision of adequate funds by government, sensitization on the need for library use, effective teaching of user education by library professionals, proper organization of library resources on the shelves. provision of library guides to information resources on the shelves. regular exhibition of library resources, provision of more electronic resources and other meas4I{S that will motivate students to utilize library resources for their academic activities. If these are followed, college libraries will achieve their goals in supporting their parent institutions l peaching.