Research article · 2026
INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY USERS IN IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI
Abstract
Purpose: The study focused on information literacy skills for effective utilisation of electronic information resources among undergraduate library users in Imo State University, Owerri. Five research questions guided the study. Design/Methodology/Approach: The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study is 8,158 registered undergraduate library users of the library studied. The sample for the study was 381. Simple random sampling technique was used for the study. Questionnaire was used to elicit data for this study. Three hundred and eighty-one copies of questionnaire were distributed to the undergraduate users of the library but 317 copies were filled and returned showing a return rate of 83.2%. Research question one was answered using frequency counts and percentages while research questions 2-5 were answered using mean scores. Findings: The result revealed that e-lecture notes, Internet resources, online databases, e-newspaper/magazines, e-theses and dissertations, e-journals, e-books, e-conference proceedings, CD-ROM databases, e-reference materials and institutional repositories are the types of electronic information resources available for use by undergraduate library users in the library studied. The result also revealed that undergraduate library users use electronic information resources to a low extent in the library studied. It was revealed that the level of information literacy skills possessed by undergraduate library users in the university studied is low. Furthermore, users’ lack of awareness of available resources, inadequate number of skilled librarians, lack of awareness of information literacy programme, insufficient learning equipment, inadequate ICT infrastructure, poor Internet connectivity, inadequate training time, crowded classes, and lack of integration of information literacy training into core university curricula are the challenges undergraduate library users face in acquiring information literacy skills in the university studied. Implications: It was recommended that government and university management should provide adequate funds for university libraries to ensure consistent availability of electronic information resources to support teaching, learning and research. Suggested solutions to the challenges facing undergraduate library users in acquiring information literacy skills include: the expansion of computer laboratories, creation of conducive learning spaces and provision of sufficient learning equipment to accommodate the growing number of undergraduates participating in information literacy training. Originality/Value: The value of this work is on the identification of the availability of electronic information resources in the library study, the level of information literacy skills possessed by the students and the extent they utilize electronic resources based on their information literacy skills. This paper has not been published elsewhere.
Keywords
Electronic Information Resources, Information Literacy Skills, Library Users, Undergraduates, University Library, Utilisation
Download the PDF if the journal has made the file available.