UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) FACILITIES BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN FRANCIS SULEMANU IDACHABA LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, MAKURDI

ABSTRACT The study investigated utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Facilities by Postgraduate Students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi-Benue State, Nigeria. The study looked at the ICT facilities available for utilization by Postgraduate Students, extent of utilization of ICT facilities by Postgraduates Students, purpose of utilization of ICT facilities and factors militating against effective utilization of ICT facilities by Postgraduate Students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 3651 Postgraduate Students registered with Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library. The sample size for the study was 361 Postgraduate Students who were composed using Yaro Yamene’s formula for sample size determination and simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was an observation checklist titled “Checklist on Availability of ICT Facilities by Postgraduate Students (CAIFPS) and self-structured questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Utilization of ICT Facilities by Postgraduate Students (QUIFPS) which was validated by experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha method and a reliability coefficient of 0.83 was obtained. Data was collected and analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentages and mean scores to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that, information and communication technology facilities such as computer hardware and software, OPAC, electronic databases, internet connectivity, photocopiers, Laminating/Scanning machines, virtual library (e-library), printers, CD-ROM, projectors, audiovisuals, flash memory discs, and television are available for utilization by Postgraduate Students. Postgraduate Students as revealed by the findings utilized the available ICT facilities to a great extent. Findings of the study further revealed that, Postgraduate Students utilized the ICT facilities available for various purposes such as for in depth research work, to prepare for examination, to update subject knowledge, consultation of reference materials to complete thesis and dissertation, among others. The study also revealed that, the factors militating against effective utilization of ICT facilities by Postgraduate Students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi includes internet connectivity always off, electricity failure, lack of awareness on existence of ICT facilities, inadequate assistance from library staff among others. The study concluded that, ICT facilities are available for utilization by Postgraduate Students in Francis Sulemanu Idachaba Library University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Recommendations were made that, there should be inclusion of ICT literacy course into Postgraduate programme of the university to enhance students’ knowledge of ICT usage in the university library, university library should provide proper guidance for Postgraduate students to use ICT resources and facilities effectively, among others