The Use of Library Resources by Students and Academic Staff of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria: Implication for Counselling

Abstract: The study examines the use of library resources by students and academic staff of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria: Implication for counselling. Five research questions guided the study, survey research method was adopted, the population comprised of 13 faculties and with cluster sampling technique four faculties were selected and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of tables, frequencies and percentages. The findings from the study revealed that the rate of usage of library resources varies among different groups, with students, lecturers from Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) having the highest frequencies of library usage at 26.90%; the most significant segments are those who utilize the library three times a week (243 or 20.12%) and two times a week (203 or 16.80%);  perceptions of adequacy of information resources among students and staff vary significantly, 360 respondents (29.80%) rated the resources as ‘very adequate,’ while the largest group, 480 respondents (39.74%), considered them ‘adequate.’  varying perceptions regarding the accessibility of library resources, 402 respondents (33.28%) rated the resources as ‘very accessible,’ while the largest group, 558 respondents (46.19%), considered the resources ‘accessible and varying levels of satisfaction among library users regarding the resources provided with 496 respondents (41.89%). The study concluded that addressing the concerns of these users is crucial for fostering a supportive library environment that meets the diverse needs of the community and recommend among others that counselors can help identify barriers to resource accessibility that some users face. They can work collaboratively with library staff to develop strategies that ensure all users, especially those from marginalized groups, can fully access and utilize library resources.

Keywords: Library Resources, students, Academic Staff, Usage, Accessibility, Adequacy, Counselling