Evaluation of the Use of Reference Sources and Services among Students of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the use of reference sources and services among students of Kwara State college of Education, Ilorin. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. From students’ population of 8,496, stratified sampling technique was used to select the sample size 263. Out of 263 administered questionnaires, 242 copies were retrieved which give 92% return rate. Data collected for the study were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Report of findings showed that dictionaries, bibliographies, yearbooks, handbooks, geographical sources, biographical sources, index and abstracts, current awareness services, selective dissemination of information, reprographic services are the major reference sources and services available to the students. Findings revealed that majority of the respondent s do not have access to bibliographies, manuals, handbooks, encyclopedias, and directories. The study found that majority of the respondents use reference services daily while purpose of using reference services include research, examination, assignment, project writing, to support lecture notes and knowledge development. Major challenges students encountered while using reference services are obsolete sate of library materials, inadequate reference materials, insufficient reference librarian, poor infrastructural facilities, and absent of internet facilities. Recommendations were given that the college management should provide enough funds for the library to acquire enough reference resources into the library. Adequate infrastructure facilities and good internet facilities should be provided in the library. Management should also recruit professional reference librarians that will render professional assistance to the users in respect to their information needs. Keywords: Reference Services, Reference Sources, Current Awareness Service (CAS), Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria.