Title: Use Of Information Retrieval System for Library Services By Undergraduate Students In Professor Aghagbo Nwako Library, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State
Author(s): Babangida Umar Babayi; Adaora Chigozie Obuezie; Ozioma Gloria Chisom
Publication Year: 2023; Volume 18, Issue 1, pages 10-20

The study investigated the use of information retrieval system for library services by undergraduate students in Prof. Aghagbo Nwako Library Awka. The purpose of the study are to determine: The library information retrieval system available for library services to undergraduate students, the use of information retrieval system for library services to undergraduate students, the constraints to the use of information retrieval system in provision of library services to undergraduate students and the ways to improve the use of information retrieval system in provision of library services to undergraduate students. Four research questions guided the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of 308 regular undergraduate students (100 to 400 Levels) of Library and Information Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Simple random sampling technique was used for the study; therefore, 120 undergraduate students were sampled. The sample size of the study was 30 regular undergraduate students selected from each of the levels. A self-structured questionnaire was the instruments used for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed among others that the undergraduates were aware of information retrieval system available in and use it for their academic purposes and the study also revealed that the students faced unreliable power supply, poor maintenance culture; low bandwidth of internet access, lack of awareness among others factors that hinder the utilization of library information retrieval system. The study concludes among others that information retrieval services are available for use by undergraduate students. But the undergraduate students do not utilize library information retrieval system to a fuller extent due to unreliable power supply, poor maintenance culture, low bandwidth of internet access are among others factors that hinder the utilization of library information retrieval system. The study recommends that high Internet connectivity should be provided in the Library, so as to encourage library users to patronize the library resources and services when they are made available. Also it was recommended that university management should provide adequate fund for maintenance and alternative source of power.