Recency and Mutilation as factors affecting use of Library by the Undergraduate Students of two Federal Universities in North-Central, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study focused on recency and mutilation as factors affecting use of library by the undergraduate students of two universities in North-central Nigeria. It adopted a descriptive survey design and had a population of 11,732 undergraduate students from two selected federal universities in North-Central Nigeria. The study used proportionate stratified random sampling technique to sample 500 undergraduate students. Five hundred (500) copies of questionnaire were distributed and four hundred and twenty nine (429) returned; representing a return rate of 86%. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages as well as mean and standard deviation frequency. The decision rule for research questions one through three was based on whether the mean score value was lower than or above the criterion mean value of 2.50 bench-mark. The findings of the study revealed that the use of library resources among undergraduate students is relatively low, Mutilation of library resources negatively affect undergraduate students use of library. The study also revealed that the libraries studied have no up-to-date textbooks and journals but have Internet facilities. Finally, the study recommended that library management should source funds from various levels of government and non-governmental organisation in order to equip the libraries with current textbooks, journals and internet facilities in the two universities in North-central Nigeria.