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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of digital information literacy (DIL) skill and use of electronic resources by humanities graduate students at Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses the survey research design and 200 graduate students from the 12 departments that made up the Faculty of Arts in the University of Ibadan participated in the study. A self-devised structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. A pilot questionnaire was first sent to a small random sample of the respondents, with feedback used to fine-tune the final questionnaire. Respondents were requested to rate their level of proficiency in the use of digital devices, web-based tasks, information finding, evaluation and utilisation of available e-resources and challenges encountered. Ethical consideration of informed consent, institutional permission, confidentiality and anonymity of participants was strictly followed. Data collected were analysed and result presented using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentage, mean and inferential statistics such as regression analysis and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient were used to test the research question and hypothesis, respectively. Findings: Humanities graduate students at the University of Ibadan possessed high level of DIL skills in respect of digital devices usage, web-based tasks, information finding and evaluation, but low in e-resources utilisation. This study identified inadequate knowledge of e-resources availability, irregular internet access, inadequate training on e-resources utilisation, inadequate staff assistance, lack of continuity in e-resources subscription and paucity of local contents in the e-resources as main challenges encountered by graduate students in the use of e-resources. To ensure that those who can most benefit from e-resources utilisation are not further marginalised, this study recommends that active steps should be taken to increase e-resources awareness, regular internet access, training/support, continuity of e-resources subscription and increased local content so that all may benefit from the opportunities of the information age. Originality/value: This paper has demonstrated that DIL skills can enhance effective utilisation of e-resources if users have adequate knowledge of e-resources availability, regular internet access, adequate training and assistance on e-resources utilisation, continuity in database subscription and adequate local contents e-resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the degree and frequency of utilisation of information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled platforms for knowledge-sharing by academic librarians in south-west Nigeria. It also seeks to identify possible barriers as well as strategies that will promote efficient utilisation of these platforms. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a descriptive survey design, using a researcher-developed questionnaire for data collection. Fifty-two professional librarians from selected academic libraries in south-west Nigeria were surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Findings – Finding from the investigation revealed that academic librarians in south-west Nigeria are increasingly utilising ICT platforms for knowledge-sharing in preference to the traditional platforms. However, ignorance of existing ICT knowledge-sharing platforms, limited ICT skills and an unhealthy technology environment remain major challenges. Originality/value – The findings of this study have far-reaching implications for Nigerian academic librarians’ professional development. It advocates maximum utilisation of ICT platforms to enhance knowledge-sharing and collaboration for professional development, scholarly communication and efficient service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the library consortium experienced at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. Activities involved improving researchers' timely access to resources for research for development. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken was a librarian interview and observation of library records. Findings – The consortium involves agricultural libraries in both developing and developed countries. Using the library software Inmagic database enhances the web-based centralized online public access catalogue of all the participating institutions, the CGV Library. This enabled access to their comprehensive collections, promoting better library services to agricultural researchers. Hence, it bridges the digital gap between developing and developed countries. They are involved in joint acquisition of electronic journals and timely response to sharing their independent collections through electronic document delivery services. Practical implications – The paper recommends that Nigerian libraries, especially agricultural research institutes, could emulate the IITA library consortium. Originality/value – The paper provides recommendations to libraries wishing to form consortia in Nigeria and notes the positive impacts that this would have on national development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the materials used in Masters' theses of the Agricultural Economics and Extension Department (AEE), FUTA during the period of 2005-2009 with the aim of improving the existing collection development available for the students. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed descriptive research design. Theses submitted for the award of M.Tech degree between 2005 and 2009 at the department of AEE, FUTA were examined. This was checked against the record of AEE (M.Tech) graduands obtained from the School of Postgraduate Studies. The population of the study was all the theses submitted during the periods under study. Data were extracted from title pages and reference lists. Extracted data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings – It was found that journals were more consulted compared to other sources of information materials. AEE M.Tech students do not take much advantage of resources available on the web and internet. It was also revealed that highest citation was recorded in 2006, while 30.52 per cent of materials cited were 20 years old and above. In addition, more than half of the cited materials were contributed by single authors and foreign journals were more cited with 72 per cent than local journals with 28 per cent. Moreover, Journal of Agriculture Economics was found to be the most cited journal followed by Journal of Econometrics. Originality/value – The paper highlights the information materials available and used by Master students of the Agricultural Economics and Extension Department for their research work and those which need to be added for a healthy collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference services have existed in public libraries for over 100 years but the level of collections and services differs from one type of library to another. Examines the organisation of reference activities at the Kwara State Public Library. Specifically investigates the status of the reference staff, organization of the collection, up-to-dateness, and categories of user. The study shows that inadequate funds are a major problem, while lack of professional staff at the reference library is also experienced. As a result the reference collection is becoming obsolete and unable to grow. Suggests steps the library could take to improve the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]