Career Interest among Library and Information Science Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The study investigated career interest of Library and Information Science undergraduates in Nigerian universities. The purpose of the study is to identify career interest, the level of lCT competency and adequacy of LIS courses in meeting the career interest of undergraduates. Survey research method was employed and the study population comprised LIS undergraduates in Nigerian universities. Purposive sampling technique was used to select five library schools and they include: University of lbadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Federal University of Technology, Minna. Thus, 400 undergraduates were selected and adopted for the study. Questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used. The 400 copies of the questionnaire were administered by the researchers and colleagues from the sampled library schools, out of which 281 were completed and returned, giving 70% response rate. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that majority of respondents indicated “information science” as the most career interest while the lowest ranked career interest was “archival management”. On ICT skills competency, majority of the respondents declared low level. On the adequacy of the departmental courses to attain career interest, majority of the respondents signified positively to the adequacy. The paper suggested that more ICT courses be incorporated to the library schools" circular to enable undergraduates withstand the modern challenges. The undergraduates are 'equally encouraged to embark on self-development for information literacy skills. The library schools should make computer laboratories very functional with adequate equipment and personnel.