INFORMATION RETRIEVAL TOOLS AND LIBRARY PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AS CORRELATE OF LIBRARY UTILIZATION BY MEDICAL STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF JOS, JOS, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study investigates information retrieval tools and library physical environment as correlates of library utilization by medical students in University of Jos. The research was guided by four objectives, and four research questions. Two hypotheses were formulated for the study. The study adopted a co-relational design. The population of the study consisted of 506 registered under-graduate medical students out of which a sample of 217 was drawn using krejcie and Morgan, 1970 Statistical table. The instrument used for data collection was structured questionnaire. The data collected for the research questions were analyze using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance using T-Test. The result revealed that, medical students made use of the various information resources to a high extend, information retrieval tools are provided in the library to a high extend, there is a very strong and positive relationship between information retrieval tools available and medical students use of the library. Positive and significant relationship exists between the library environment and medical students’ use of the library. It was therefore, recommended among others that medical students should be sensitized more on the use of periodicals and fiction for relaxation, even though relationship between retrieval tools and use is significant, there is still need for medical students to be sensitized on how to use the library through adequate orientation on information retrieval tools. University management should ensure that good library environment is maintained and sustained