Assessing the Contents of Nigeria Academic Library Website

Abstract

This study is to assess the content of academic library websites in Nigeria with a view to identify the extent to which they effectively facilitate access to electronic resources, provide online library services, provide its patrons with contact and general information on the services they provide their patrons. The population of this study is 40 Federal University libraries in Nigeria. The sample size is made of 37 Federal University Libraries with a functional website. A check list under six broad categories was design and data was collected by visiting the library websites through their University home page in September 2013. The study revealed that even though Nigerian academic libraries have made their presence online by deploying a library website, many of them do not use their library websites to provide their patrons with contact and general information on the services they provide and facilitate access to their resources. The study concluded that the use of library website to provide general information and contact information on the library was explored only by very few academic libraries. Recommendation for the redesign of academic library websites to make it more effective was made.

Keywords: Nigerian academic library, academic website, electronic resources, access to electronic resources, open access, Internet savvy patrons