Empirical Study of Awareness and Use of Reference Sources by Undergraduates in Adekunle Ajasin University Library

Abstract

This paper discussed awareness and use of reference sources by undergraduate students in Adekunle Ajasin University library, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.  Random sampling technique was used to select 400 hundred undergraduate students from the total population of undergraduate students in the University.   Questionnaire was the only research instrument used in this study and four (400) questionnaire was administered out of which three hundred and ninety four (394) was returned and used for the study representing 98.5% return rate.  The study used descriptive statistics to analyse demographic variables and chi square to test research areas.  Findings were presented in tables and Bar charts.

The findings revealed that majority of undergraduate students patronize library but the highest patronage is from 100 level – 300 level students.  Few students are aware of the services library offer while there is a significantly high response in awareness of reference sources.  However, the response rate of use of reference sources is significantly low.

Further conclusions are made based on the findings and recommendations which include qualitative and practical-oriented user education among others are made.

Keywords: Reference Service, Reference source, Undergraduates, Accessibility, Utilization, Library.