UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH REPORTS FOR LIBRARY PRACTICE IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA LIBRARY COMPLEX, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper discussed utilization of library and information science research reports for library practice in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Library Complex. It pointed out some primary purposes of library and information science research reports for library practice among which is to teach skills necessary for a librarian to conduct basic rigorous and effective work in the library. It described library as an organized collection of sources of information and related resources made available for reference or borrowing to a specific community. Despite the increasing availability of numerous research reports and broad consensus on the importance of research reports in improving practice, there is lack of zeal or willingness by the academic librarians in utilizing it for library practice. The paper answered two research questions and tested one hypothesis. Related literatures were appropriately reviewed in line with the research questions. The research design adopted for the study was descriptive survey. It was chosen because descriptive survey research is fact finding in nature. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire; purposive sampling was used to select academic librarians. The total population comprised all the 177 academic librarians from Ahmadu Bello University Library complex there was no sample size because the population was manageable. Of the 177 questionnaire distributed, 96 questionnaires were returned and found useful for analysis. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The researcher used descriptive statistical analysis and frequency distribution tables in analyzing the findings. The paper discovered that among the challenges faced by academic librarians in the utilization of research reports for library practice include lack of time to read and utilize research for library practice as well as no organizational support in utilization of research finding. The paper recommended that library top management should encourage the academic librarians to make adequate utilization of the available research reports in order to bring about new innovation in the library practice which would provide assistance to students, staff and other researchers.