REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES DELIVERY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study is to examine the reference and information services delivery in academic libraries in Nasarawa State. To Achieve this, six research objectives were drawn which include; to indentify reference and information services provided in academic libraries in Nasarawa State; find out resources available  for reference and information services in these libraries ; Identify methods used for reference and information services delivery in academic libraries in Nasarawa State; ascertain effectiveness of reference and information services in academic libraries in Nasarawa State ; determine hindrances to reference and information services delivery in academic libraries in Nasarawa State and suggest strategies for effective reference and information services delivery in academic libraries in Nasarawa State. The study employed the survey research design. Users sample population of 272 and total staff population of 7 constituted the sample for the study. Two sets of questionnaire made up of 61 items each and observation checklist were the instruments used to collect data which were presented in tables and analyzed using frequencies, percentages and the mean. Findings revealed that current Awareness services, Selective Dissemination of Information, Indexing and Abstracting were the major reference services provided with 3.16, 3.09, 2.82 and 2.70 respectively. Online catalogue and indeed ICT facilities were not available for reference and information services with 2.15 and 38.4 .To redress the ugly situation, recommendations were proffered, some of which include; improved funding, regular evaluation of reference and information service, provision and application of ICT facilities in reference services.