UTILIZATION OF E-LIBRARY BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES: A Case of Bingham University

Abstract

The e-library provides primary and secondary information electronically through communications networks and services which enables library users to directly access electronic data via telecommunications networks. This study attempted to find out the extent of use of e-library and the challenges faced by undergraduate students in Private University Libraries in Nigeria, using the case of Bingham University library. One hundred and fifty (150) undergraduate students out of a total of about One thousand five hundred (1,500) were randomly selected. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection; however, Interview and Observation were also applied where necessary. The University Library works in conjunction with the ICT unit to provide Electronic Library Services, giving the students and other staff users access to a wide range of rich academic resources, including the robust NUC virtual library. Although, the library web page is still under construction thus, students are required to physical be in the e-library to access numerous e-resources and online resources yet the students prefer not to patronize the e-library, rather they use the Wi-Fi network outside the library building. The study reveals some of the challenges in the e-library faced by students, with epileptic and slow Internet connections as some of the challenges.