Provision and Use of Information Resources in Colleges of Health Sciences in Katsina State

Abstract

This study investigates the provision and use of information resources in College of Health Sciences Libraries in Katsina State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four research questions. Mixed research method approach was used to conduct the study. The population of the study consists of four colleges Librarians and one thousand nine hundred and eighty three (1983), students in four (4) selected colleges. The target populations are the four (4) College Librarians and three hundred and twenty two (322) students. Interview and Questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. The findings of the study have revealed that different types of information resources are provided in the College of Health Sciences Libraries studied. The study further reveals that majority of the respondents utilized the information resources provided by the libraries. The respondents use the  information resources for examination, lectures and medical research purposes. In addition, major challenges to effective provision of information resources to the users were identified as inadequate funds, lack of the ICT facilities, and inadequate number of staffs, inadequate power supply, and lack of library space, delay in procurement process and acquiring of information resources. Other challenges with the use of information resources by the students include poor internet connectivity, lack of
computer systems. The study concludes that information resources are provided and utilized across the colleges libraries studied. The study has recommended among others, that there should be adequate funds, provision of the ICT facilities and there
should be need for more qualified and trained library staff.