Provision of open access web links for postgraduate students by private university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the provision of open access web links for postgraduate students by private university libraries in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. A total of 150 postgraduate students from three selected private universities participated in the study. A questionnaire entitled: “Availability of Open Access Website Links Questionnaire (POAWLQ)” and an observation checklist was used to collect data for the study. A total of 150 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to respondents, out of which 143 copies were returned and found to be correctly filled. This gave a response rate of 94.2%. The data collected were analyzed using mean x and standa d deviation to answer the research questions. The major findings of the study were that the overall availability of open access linkages in the libraries was poor. Also, the general utilization of the limited available open access web links in the library was low. Based on the findings, it was recommended that libraries should endeavor to provide links to various open access websites on their library webpage, the library should often organize seminars and workshops on the availability of open access links on the library's webpage, among others.