ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of awareness and utilization of library electronic resources on academic performance of library and information science students in universities in Benue State. Research design adopted for the study was descriptive survey. The population of the study comprised of 1,201 students from Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi in Benue State. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 411 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire structured on a 4-point Likert scale. The findings of the study revealed that, library electronic resources are available in libraries in the universities in Benue State. The findings of the study also revealed that, library and information science students in universities in Benue State are aware of the electronic resources and also utilizes the electronic resources. The study also revealed that, awareness and utilization of electronic resources significantly influence academic performance of library and information science students in universities in Benue State. The study also found that, library and information science students in universities in Benue State faced challenges in awareness and utilization of library electronic resources. Based on the findings of this study, the study concluded that, if respondents utilized these library electronic resources religiously, academic performance of LIS students would be  enhanced. The study recommended that universities in Benue State should create programme for students to  be aware of the available library electronic resources. It's also recommends that the Universities in Benue  State should encourage students to utilize the available library electronic resources to enhance their academic  performance.