AVAILABILITY ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AT FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GIDAN MADI SOKOTO STATE

Abstract

This study focused on availability, accessibility, and utilization of information resources in Federal College of Education Gidan Madi, Sokoto state. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Samples were drawn from three schools within the college of education. The sample size used for the study was 155 which makes up 58% of the population of students and academic staff of the college study area. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics that is the use of frequency tables and percentages. The findings revealed that, majority of the students with 66.66% (50) agreed that there are no available information resources in the library. Staff members on the other hand agreed there are available printed resources and disagreed with the availability of e-resources with 44.7(30). Accessibility: majority of the students being 60% (44) did not respond which makes it difficult to conclude. Hence, 26.66% (20) find it difficult to access the information resources. The staff members 37.31% (25) expressed dissatisfaction on website accessibility. Utilization: 32% of the students use the library for their assignments and the rest of the percentage splitted among other related activities including current happenings with the minimum of 9. 33%(7) challenges: there were number of challenges that were identified, which include slow internet speed, difficulty in finding related information,, limited computer system, poor/unstable electricity, lack of ICT skills, insufficient Database, Inadequate user ability in manipulating e-resources, limited access to e-resources, and poor networking system. Therefore, it is recommended that provision of more current information resources, adjusting to more friendly classification scheme for the printed resources, an increase in bandwidth, provision of stable power, employing trained staff on the ground to assist users, organize training and workshops on ICT, provide a more user-friendly platform, first-year students should be introduced to computer training.