USAGE OF DIGITAL RESOURCES FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY BY ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Yakubu Attahiru Lima; Priti Jain

Yakubu Attahiru Lima Library Department, Federal College of Education, Gombe
Priti Jain Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana

Keywords: Digital Resources, Digital Usage, Academic Librarians, Academic Libraries, Gombe State

Abstract

The study investigated the usage of digital resources by academic librarians in university libraries for effective service delivery in Gombe State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of usage of digital resources by academic librarians and to examine various challenges involved in the usage of digital resources in university libraries in Gombe State. The study adopted descriptive research design. Population of the study comprised 45 practicing academic librarians in university libraries in Gombe State. The study used census sampling technique hence there was no sampling. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected for the research were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The finding of the study showed that usage of digital resources by academic librarians in university libraries in Gombe State, Nigeria was effective. The finding also revealed that the use of digital resources made users to become more technology friendly. The study concludes that the use of digital resources encourage learning and research activities. The study recommends that the library management should strategize on how to deploy the use of digital resources in their libraries for effective services delivery. It also recommends, frequent and sustainable trainings, workshops and seminars on the usage of digital resources in these libraries.