UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN MEDICAL LIBRARIES IN ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed at ascertaining the level of utilization of information resources and services in medical libraries in Enugu State. Six research questions were formulated to guide the study. Similar literatures were reviewed pertaining to the study. The study adopted descriptive survey method. The population of the study was nine hundred and eighty (980) users of these medical libraries under study. Two hundred and forty five (245) users were sampled for the study using a technique of one respondent per four users. Observation checklist and the questionnaire were the instruments for data collection. The instruments were validated properly by two lecturers from the library and Information Science Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The researcher and her assistants who are also librarians of the medical libraries under study distributed and collected the questionnaires. One hundred and ninety seven (197) completed questionnaires were returned representing 80% response rate. The Data collected were analyzed and presented using mean scores based on the four-point scale. The findings of the study revealed that most medical libraries under study do no acquire resources as the ones they have are obsolete, that they provide fairly adequate services to their users, they lack up-to date information resources, most of the library staff lack relevant skills needed for the present country medical libraries to perform effectively and efficiently. Inadequate technology to access the on-line databases and lack of convenient access to the use of the medical libraries at wish, etc are some of the problems observed in these libraries. Recommendations were made to improve the utilization of information resources and services in these medical libraries. The recommendations include adequate provision of power supply to operate the electronic facilities of the library, adequate provision of up-to-date resources and services, adequate funding of these medical libraries and as well proper training and training of the librarians of these libraries.