INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES ON LIBRARY PATRONAGE AMONG LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES AT BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI

Abstract

This study examines the influence of information resources on library patronage among Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduates at Benue State University, Makurdi. The study aims to assess the accessibility of information resources, evaluate the level of library patronage, and determine the impact of resource relevance on students' engagement. A survey research design was employed, with a population of 325 registered LIS undergraduates. Data were collected using the Information Resources Accessibility Questionnaire (IRAQ) and the Library Patronage Questionnaire (LPQ), both validated by experts and tested for reliability, yielding Cronbach's alpha values of 0.76 and 0.79, respectively. The study utilized mean and standard deviation for descriptive analysis and linear regression to examine the relationship between information resources and library patronage. Findings indicate that Library resources like books, journals, and card catalogues were moderately accessible, while encyclopedias and indexes were less accessible, leading to moderate patronage focused on assignments and digital resources over print materials. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.79) showed that 62% of the variation in patronage was due to resource accessibility, with statistical analysis confirming its significant influence (p < 0.05). The study recommends expanding access to less available resources, enhancing digital collections, increasing student awareness of library services, and improving the library environment to foster greater patronage. Addressing additional influencing factors, such as library infrastructure and student engagement initiatives, could further enhance library utilization and academic success among LIS undergraduates.