Access to Information Resources in Dennis Osadebay University Library, Asaba Nigeria

Mokobia Uche Roy, Priscilla Osiebe

Abstract


This study critically examines the systemic challenges faced by the Dennis Osadebay University (DOU) Library in access to information resources, with a focus on its information organization and retrieval capacities amid resource constraints. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaires, collection audits, and transaction log analysis, the research investigates the disparity between user needs and existing library services, highlighting deficiencies such as outdated cataloging systems, inadequate ICT infrastructure, and low resource utilization, particularly digital platforms. The findings reveal a predominant reliance on traditional print resources, notably standard textbooks, with minimal engagement with ICT-based resources, compounded by infrastructural barriers such as unreliable internet connectivity and limited funding. Respondents perceive significant gaps in service quality, staffing adequacy, and information accessibility, aligning with scholarly assertions on the transformative potential of technological integration in academic libraries. The study underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive infrastructural modernization, strategic resource allocation, and targeted user education initiatives to foster a more responsive, resource-rich, and user-centric library environment. Evidence-based interventions proposed include ICT infrastructure enhancement, increased funding, discipline-specific collection development, and modernization of information organization systems. These recommendations aim to align DOU Library with international best practices, thereby enhancing scholarly productivity and supporting the university’s academic mission in the digital age. Ultimately, this research contributes valuable insights into library modernization strategies within resource-constrained contexts, emphasizing the critical role of systemic innovation in bridging the gap between existing capacities and evolving scholarly demands in Nigerian higher education.


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