Reading Habits and Library Use among Students of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the reading habits and library use patterns of students in the department of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Nigeria.  The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population was made up of 210 students in the 2^nd and 3^rd year of study. Sampling was enumerative. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using frequency and percentage counts. Findings indicate that majority of the respondents spend more than an hour reading every day. The purpose of reading was found to be mainly for entertainment. Respondents were also found to read mostly newspapers and other general interest magazine. In the area of library use, majority of the respondents browse the shelves in search of reading materials; consult library staff and make use of online databases. The least used library resource was found to be e books. Despite using most library resources, respondents affirmed that visit to the library was not a popular activity. Based on the findings, the study concludes that students of IRM engage in reading activates both for entertainment and education purposes although most reading activities took place outside the university library. Considering the role of the respondents as future information professionals the study recommends that students make regular use of the university library in order to acquire valuable practical experience. It was also recommended that students explore the use of e books especially through the internet as this would afford them the opportunity of reading books which may not be available in the university bookstore or library.

Keywords: Information literacy, Information Resources Management, Library use, Reading culture, Reading habits.