Availability and Utilization of Library Resources and Services by Physically Challenged Polytechnic Students in Southeast Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study investigates availability and utilization of library resources and services by physically challenged polytechnic students in southeast, Nigeria. The study answered seven research questions and tested six null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the research.
The populations of the study were all the identified students with mobility, hearing and visual impairments and the professional librarians who were the service providers in the polytechnic libraries. The total number of professional librarians was 94 and that of the physically challenged students was 1984 from where a sample of 279 was taken.
The whole professional librarians were used because the population was small. The researcher also used Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for data collection. Three separate groups of physically challenged students (mobility, visual, and hearing impaired) per institution were used for the FGD.
Two sets of questionnaire for the librarians (AULRSQL) and physically challenged students (AULRSQPCS) were developed and validated alongside with the other instrument by 3 experts from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. They were trial tested using 15 librarians and 7 identified visual, 5 hearing and 8 mobility-impaired students from two polytechnics in south-south Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover page……… i
Title page….. ii
Declaration……. iii
Certification….. iv
Dedication…. v
Acknowledgement.. vi
Abstract…. vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study – – 1
Statement of Problem – – 9
Purpose of the Study – – 10
Research Questions – 11
Research Hypotheses – – – 12
Significance of the Study – 13
Scope of the Study – – 14
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Framework – – 16
Concept of Physically Challenged Students – – 16
Concept of Library Resources 19
Concept of Library Services 20
Concept of Availability – 21
Concept of Accessibility – 21
Concept of Utilization – 21
Nature of Disabilities among Students 23
Availability and Utilisation of Library and Information Resources and Services by Physically Challenged Persons 26
Nature of Library and Information Resources and Services for Physically Challenged Users – 38
Issues and Problems Associated with Availability and Utilization of Library and Information Resources and Services by the Physically Challenged Persons 52
Strategies for Curbing the Problems Associated with Availability, Accessibility and Use of Library Resources and Services by Physically Challenged persons 56
Theoretical Framework – – – – – – – – 59
Ranganathan’s Laws of Library Science – – – – – 59
Social Theoretical Model of Disability – – – – – 60
Review of Related Empirical Studies – – – – – – 62
Summary of Literature Review – – – – – – – 70
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Research Design – – – – – – – – 72
Area of the Study – – – – – – – – 72
Population of the Study – – – – – – – 73
Sample and Sampling Technique – – – – – – 73
Instruments for Data Collection – – – – – – 74
Validation of the Instruments – – – – – – – 75
Reliability of the Instruments – – – – – – – 76
Method of Data Collection – – – – – – – 76
Method of Data Analyses – – – – – – – 77
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATION AND SUMMARY
Discussion of Results – – – – – – – 122
Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 132
Implications of the Study – – – – – – – 133
Recommendations – – – – – – – – 135
Limitations of the Study – – – – – – – 136
Suggestions for Further Research – – – – – – 137
Summary of the Study – – – – – – – 137
References
Appendices
INTRODUCTION
Availability and use of information are fundamental human right issues as contained in articles 19 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 10th December 1948.
In this information age, there is the need, now more than ever, to equip people with skill and means to become information literate and to enable them locate, access and evaluate information without discrimination.
This is in line with the major objectives of inclusive education, equality of education, education for all and library and information service for all, which are all enshrined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and National Policy on Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The knowledge society also demands that all citizens, including the physically challenged, should have access to full information. This is the basis for enabling people, especially the physically challenged, to participate as active citizens since they need to make informed choices and decisions and to act on them.
Availability and use of relevant, accurate and current library resources and services by the physically challenged are veritable means of developing human resources and accentuating sustainable self-reliance and national development. Human resources are most valuable resources and vital elements in the development of a country.
They are the resources that can be developed, and education must be used as the most important process in building people’s knowledge, experiences, skills, high moral and ethics. They all help to prepare the individuals for service and sharpen their ability to pursue a profession or trade.
REFERENCES
Abdulrazaq, A. B. (2010). Provision of library and information services to the three disadvantaged groups in Nigeria. A seminar paper presented to the department of Library and Information Science, UNN, June 18th.
Abosi, C. O. & Ozorji, E. D. (1985). Educating the blind: A descriptive approach. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.
Achebe, N. E. (2008). Concept of Library. In N. E. Achebe (Ed.), Library and information literacy for higher education. (1 – 15) Enugu: NLA Enugu State.
Adebayo O. O. (2007). Availability and utilization of material resources as correlates of students’ learning outcome in secondary school history: A case study of some selected secondary school in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. Unpublished MED Project, University of Ibadan).
Afebende, G. B. (2008). Utilization of university library facility: a case study of Cross River University of Technology, Calabar. Nigerian Library and Information Science Trends: 5(1&2): 29-37
Affia, G. B. (1993). Promoting reading in academic communities: African Journal of Academic Librarianship 1(2): 65 – 68.
Agbaje S.A. & Olabode S. O. (2000). Resources available to the visually impaired library users in Nigeria: The way out. Journal of Association of Libraries for the visually Handicapped. 1(1) 67-71.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
Be the first to comment