Utilization of Electronic Information Resources and Their Influence on Reading Culture of Undergraduate Students in Federal University Dutse

Abstract

A cross sectional survey method was used to determine the utilization of e-resources and their influence on the reading culture of 119 undergraduate students registered with the JD Amin library of Federal University Dutse. The data collected was analysed using both descriptive (frequency counts and means) and inferential statistics (regression analysis). The research found that databases (mean=4.00) and e-journal (mean=4.00) are available to the undergraduate students. It further found that e-resources are often utilized by the undergraduate student, with social media (mean=4.00), databases (mean=4.00) and e-journal (mean=4.00). the most commonly used e-resources. It was also found that erratic power supply (mean=3.91) and inability to seek, obtain and evaluate information (mean=3.67) are the prominent factors hindering the utilization of e-resources. The regression analysis rejected the null hypotheses of the study where it shows that the level of utilization of e-resources have positive statistical correlation (r=0.772) with the reading culture of undergraduate students. The study proposed a conceptual model for the sustainable reading culture of students by libraries providing of e-resources. The general conclusion of the research is that e-resources are necessary tools and are moderately available and adequately utilized for influencing reading culture. The study recommended that Internet facilities should be made available to undergraduate students to facilitate more utilization of e-resources.