UNDERSTANDING MARGINAL USE AND ABSOLUTE NONUSE OF DIGITAL LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY FACULTY MEMBERS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA

UNDERSTANDING MARGINAL USE AND ABSOLUTE NONUSE OF DIGITAL LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY FACULTY MEMBERS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Universities in Nigeria have invested in Digital Library Resources and Services (DLRS) so that staff and students can have access to them irrespective of their location. However, these resources and services are not being exploited to the fullest by Faculty Members in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, thereby making the University not to have returns on the investment made. This study sought to explore the reasons for the nonuse of DLRS by Faculty Members in ABU. To achieve the objectives of this study, six research questions were raised, amongst which were; what are the reasons for the nonuse of DLRS by Faculty Members in ABU and how does the constructs of PAIT explain the experiences of Faculty Members in ABU on the nonuse of DLRS. A qualitative research method using a case study research design was used to have an in depth understanding of the situation at hand. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussion and in depth interview. Multiple variation sampling technique was used to select three faculties from three different campuses in ABU; Faculty of Administration, Congo Campus, Faculty of Social Science, Samaru Campus and Faculty of Medicine ABUTH Shika. Also, Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants for the study. However, twelve recorded voices were used for analysis at saturation stage. The analysis was done using qualitative content analysis. The findings amongst others were; the reason for nonuse of DLRS by Faculty Members in ABU were lack of communication of DLRS available and how it can be used and lack of hospitality on the part of the librarian. Relative advantage and trialability were the main constructs of PAIT that explained the experiences of Faculty Members in ABU on the nonuse of DLRS in KIL. The study therefore concluded that lack of return on investment caused by nonuse of DLRS by Faculty Members can be curbed by improving on both the human and capital resources for the full exploration and use of available DLRS in KIL. It is therefore recommended amongst others that library management should take proactive measures on marketing of DLRS and training users on what to do and how to use DLRS. Librarians should consider hospitality principles and practices as they discharge their duties so that a higher level of awareness and increased utilization of DLRS by Faculty Members in ABU can be achieved and address the challenges of nonuse and the lack of return on investment experienced over the years.

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