USER EDUCATION AND LIBRARY USE IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN ABIA AND IMO STATES

Abstract In this study, the researcher attempted to relate user education programmes of ASCETA and AIFCE with library use. Validated structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to collect data. The research answered four (4) research questions and tested one hypothesis. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Data on the research questions were analyzed using mean scores and frequency tables. Findings revealed that: the user education programme of ASCETA and AIFCE is structured in the form of library orientation, library tour, bibliographic instruction and user awareness. Findings showed that user education enhances library use even though the programme is impeded by a lot of problems which include lack of/or inadequate fund, inadequate library staff to cope with the amount of work involved, inappropriate provision for the user education course on the time table, among others. A moderate positive relationship was found to exist between user education and library use. It is recommended that adequate fund should be provided to enable user educators acquire the necessary equipment for teaching user education, adequate staff to carry out the amount of work involved in user education should be employed, etc