ABSTRACT

This research work examined the attitude of undergraduates towards a Career in Library and Information Science: A case study of Delta State University, Abraka.  Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The scope of the study is limited to 100-400 undergraduate regular students of library and information science Department, Delta State University, Abraka. The descriptive survey research was used for the study.  One hundred and fifty (150) undergraduates in the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka were selected as the sample for the study. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. The method of analysis used for the study was frequency count and statistical mean. The findings revealed that majority of undergraduate students were aware of library and information science prior to admission, it was also revealed that undergraduates had a positive attitude towards library and information science profession. It was also discovered that undergraduates were satisfied with the profession of librarianship after admission into the university. The study also revealed that lack of computer and computer skills, inadequate financial backing by the government, lack of trained and skilled manpower, `amongst others are major challenges in the practice of librarianship. It was concluded that undergraduates depict a positive attitude towards a career in library and information science because of increasing awareness of the LIS profession. Therefore it was recommended that campaigns should be done by librarians and faculties in library and information schools by sponsoring job placement seminars or career orientation prior to admission in the university. It was also recommended that practicing librarians such as university librarians’, senior lecturers and LRCN directors who are high fliers in librarianship should act as mentors to secondary school students, educating them on the benefits of practicing librarianship.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE i

DECLARATION - - - - - - - - ii

CERTIFICATION iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background to the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Study 7

1.3 Research Questions 8

1.4 Purpose of the Study 9

1.5 Significance of the Study 10

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study 10

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 11

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 14

2.1 Awareness of Library and Information Science by Undergraduate Prior to Admission into the University 14

2.2 Attitude of Undergraduate towards a Career in Library and Information Science 18

2.3 Level of Satisfaction with the profession after Admission into the University 22

2.4 Challenges in the Practices of Library and Information Science 26

2.5 Summary of the Reviewed Literature 29

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES 31

3.1 Research Design 31

3.2 Population of the Study 32

3.3 Sample and Sample Techniques 32

3.4 Research instrument 32

3.5 Validity of the Instrument 33

3.6 Method of Data Collection 34

3.7 Method of Data Analysis 34

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 35

4.1 Analysis of the Questionnaire Response Rate 35

4.3 Answering of Research Questions 37

4.4 Discussion of Findings 46

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48

5.1 Summary of the Study 48

5.2 Conclusion 49

5.3 Recommendation 50

5.4 Suggestions for further studies 51

References 52

Appendix (Questionnaire) 58

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Questionnaire Response Rate 35

Table 2: Distribution of the respondents by gender 36

Table 3: Distribution of respondents by level of study 36

Table 4: Level of awareness of LIS by undergraduates prior to admission into the university 37

Table 5: Attitudes of undergraduates towards a career in LIS 39

 Table 6: Level of satisfaction with the profession after admission into the university 42

Table 7: Challenges in the practice of LIS 44