ABSTRACT

Information retrieval systems in libraries are basically systems that store record in a file for data relevant to each request, retrieve the data and provide the information on request. The purpose of such system is to help access and use of the knowledge which has been recorded. This study on information retrieval systems in libraries a case study of Federal Polytechnic Libraries, Nekede, Owerri is an investigation into the various means adopted by the library under study in their information retrieval process. Particular attention was paid to the existing information retrieval systems in use in the library and how suitable they are, the basic advantages of digital information retrieval over manual were also revealed by the study. The research methodology adopted for the research was the survey method, data was collected using questionnaire and oral interview together with observation. The study also revealed the information retrieval process in the library is manual which the library organizes its materials through cataloguing, classification and indexing. Based on the problems encountered, some useful recommendations on how to improve on the information retrieval functions in the library were made. The study also concluded by suggesting that further research study should be made.         

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page –      –       –       –       –       –       –       –       i

Approval Page –      –       –       –       –       –       –       ii

Dedication –    –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iii

Acknowledgement –        –       –       –       –       –       –       iv

Abstract –        –       –       –       –       –       –       –       vi

Table of contents –  –       –       –       –       –       –       vii

CHAPTER ONE

        INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the study        –       –       –       1

1.2   Statement of the study   –       –       –       –       4     

1.3   Objective of the study     –       –       –       –       5

1.4   Scope of the study  –       –       –       –       –       6

1.5   Significant of the study –        –       –       –       6

1.6. Research Questions –     –       –       –       –       7

1.7   Definition of Terms –       –       –       –       –       8

CHAPTER TWO

2.0   Literature Review   –       –       –       –       –       10

2.1   Types of Information Retrieval Systems –       11

2.2   Functions of Information Retrieval System-  14

2.3   Types of Information Needs    –       –       –       20

2.4   Information Retrieval System –       –       –       21

2.5   The components of Information Retrieval

Systems –        –       –       –       –       –       –       –       32

2.6   Problems of Information Retrieval System     35

2.7   Prospects of Information Retrieval System    38

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1      Research Design     –       –       –       –       –       40

3.2      Area of study –        –       –       –       –       –       –       41

3.3      Population of the study  –       –       –       –       41

3.4      Sample size     –       –       –       –       –       –       41

3.5      Sampling procedure       –       –      –       –       41

3.6      Instrumentation     –       –       –       –       –       42

3.7      Data collection        –       –       –       –       –       43

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1      Data Presentation –        –       –       –       –       –       44

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

1.1      Summary –      –       –       –       –       –       –       54

1.2      Conclusion –    –       –       –       –       –       –       55

1.3      Recommendations –        –       –       –       –       55

1.4      Limitations      –       –       –       –       –       –       56

1.5      Suggestion for further research –   –       –       56

References –    –       –       –       –       –       –       57

Appendix I –     –       –       –       –       –       –       59

Appendix II –    –       –       –       –       –       –       60

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Information is a basic human need. It is needed in all facts of human endeavour. No society and libraries can function effectively without the intensive of information whether in print or non-print format.

It is therefore pertinent to know how this information can be retrieved and disseminated for use by the users or the society in a modern world. The different systems of information retrieval in academic libraries are therefore discussed in this write up with special interest on Federal Polytechnic Library Nekede, Owerri.

The world in information cannot be mentioned in isolation of human beings. Information has been described as the master resource, the chief raw material and the principle product on modern economic. Even before the modern world, the ancient world has been dealing with information gathering, storage and retrieval which were done in an ancient way where papyrus, clay tablets e.t.c. were used.

Information can be seen as data that have be subjected to functions capable of answering a users query, be it recorded, summarized or simple collection that would help in decision making, according to Uwem, (2008) defined information as a finished product ready for use, the source and medium of communication not with sanding information therefore, can help to ensure the effective use of other resources when it gets to the right people and at the right time.

Consequently, the basic objective of any library be it academic, public, school or special library includes the acquisition of information, surveying materials properly processing, organizing, storing and retrieving for disseminating such information to interested users. Hence every academic libraries whether the limits of its fund, develop sufficient information both in scope, nature and size to support the users information needs and aspiration will largely depend on a specific question and its ability to supply known information are produced in form of language even to retrieve information is inform of language, most times, the users found it increasingly difficult to cope with the basic problems of accessing particular information items for use.