ABSTRACT
The study is an investigation of availability and utilization of library oriented software packages (LOSPs) among university libraries in North Central Zone of Nigeria. The study was carried out in four University libraries in North Central Zone of Nigeria namely: Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library of the federal University of Technology Minna, Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library of the federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State University Library Makurdi and Chief Ason Bur Learning Resource Centre of the University of Mkar. It was aimed at identifying LOSPs available, determining the extent of librarians awareness of LOSPs, examining the need for LOSPs, identify LOSps in use, examining the problems affecting availability and utilization of LOSPs and determining strategies for enhancing availability and utilization of the packages. To achieve this six research questions were formulated. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 57 comprising of librarians and system analysts. Data were collected through questionnaire, oral interview and observation checklist from a sample of forty nine library staff (librarians and system analysts). Data collected through questionnaire were presented in tabular form and analyzed with the use of frequencies, percentages and mean while those collected through oral interviews and observation checklist were descriptively analyzed to authenticate the result. The result of the study shows that there are LOSPs available in these libraries but the packages are not in use attributing the non-utilization of the packages to erratic power supply, lack of library staff training as well as lack of enabling environment. The study recommends that university administration should perceive availability and Use of LOSPs in university libraries as a vital tool that will enable libraries to effectively support the universities objectives of teaching, learning and research.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page- - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page - - - - - - - - ii
Certification - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement- - - - - - - - v
Table of Contents - - - - - - - vi
List of Tables- - - - - - - - - ix
Abstract- - - - - - - - - x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study - - - - - - - 1
Statement of the Problem - - - - - - 8
Purpose of the Study - - - - - - 9
Research Questions - - - - - - - 9
Significance of the Study - - - - - - 10
Scope of the Study - - - - - - - 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Conceptual framework - - - - - - - - 12
An overview of Library Oriented Software Packages - - 14
Library Oriented Software Packages Available for Libraries - - 15
Extent of Librarians Awareness of Library Oriented Software - - 23
Need for Library Oriented Software Packages in Libraries - - 27
Library Oriented Software Packages Used/in Use in Libraries - - 30
Problems Affecting Availability and Use of Library Oriented Software 32
Strategies for Enhancing Availability and Use of Software Packages in 36
Review of Related Empirical Studies - - - - - - 37
Summary of Literature Review - - - - - - - 41
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Design of the Study - - - - - - - 43
Area of the Study - - - - - - - - 43
Population of the Study - - - - - - - 43
Sample and Sampling Technique - - - - - 44
Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - 45
Validation of the Instrument - - - - - 46
Method of Data Collection - - - - - 46
Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - 47
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
Research Question 1 - - - - - - 48
Research Question 2 - - - - - - 50
Research Question 3 - - - - - - 54
Research Question 4 - - - - - - 56
Research Question 5 - - - - - - 58
Research Question 6 - - - - - - 59
Summary of Major Findings - - - - - - 61
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Discussion of Findings - - - - - - 63
Implications of the Study- - - - - - - 68 Recommendations - - - - - - 69
Suggestions for Further Research- - - - - - 70
Limitations of the Study- - - - - - - 70
Conclusion - - - - - - - - 71
REFERENCES - - - - - - - - - - 73
APPENDICES - - - - - - - - - - 79
