ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of information access tools and the dissemination of information in Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture Library, Umudike. The study was guided by four (4) objectives including identifying information access tools and the challenges militating against the use of information access tools for the dissemination of information. The population ofthe study wasforty-six (46) staffofMOUAU Library, while the descriptive research design and the complete census sampling technique were adopted. Data were collected using the closed-ended questionnaire constructed with the four-point rating scale model. Out of the 46 copies of questionnaire distributed to the respondents, 43 copies representing 94% were returned and usedfor the analyses. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to compute the mean scores and standard deviations while findings were presented in frequency tables. The study revealed that the information access tools available for dissemination of information are: library catalogue, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, library guide to literature, accession lists, OPAC, MARC, Dublin Core, online databases/CD-ROMs, subject gateways, internet search engines, kardex cards, etc. It also revealed that the mostfrequently used information access toolsfor dissemination ofinformation are: library catalogue, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, library guides to literatures, accession lists, internet search engines and kardex cards. Based on the study, the use ofinformation access tools for the dissemination of information in MOUAU Library were hampered by challenges rangingfrom; inadequate trained staffto process information access tools; inadequate trained staff to guide new library staff on the use of information access tools in information dissemination; poorfunding oflibraries which hampers the acquisition ofrelevant processing tools; inadequate processing tools such as AACR2, LC Classification Scheme, LC Lists of Subject Headings, Cutter Table, etc.; lack ofonline information access tools like OPAC, MARC, Dublin Core to enhance dissemination ofinformation; epileptic power supply; etc. Therefore, in the light ofthe analyzed challenges, the study recommended the following measures to enhance the use ofinformation access toolsfor the dissemination ofinformation: information literacy and ICT skills training for library staff; provision of dedicated system and personnel for consistent guiding and directing ofnew library staffon the use ofprocessing tools; provision ofadequate funding for libraries to acquire necessary tools for technical servicessuch as AACR2, LC Classification Scheme, LC Lists ofSubject Headings, Cutter Table, etc.; provision ofconducive working environmentfor the technical services department; improvement ofpower supply in the library to enable the use web-based access tools; training oflibrary staff on the use ofonline access tools like OPAC, MARC Dublin Core in the dissemination ofinformation; etc.