Awareness and use of Information Retrieval Tools by students in College of Education Minna Library Minna, Niger State.

Abstract

The study assessed the awareness and use of information retrieval tools by students in College of Education Minna, Niger State. The study was guided by five (5) research objectives only. Survey research design method was adopted for the study. The total population for the study was seven thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine (7 989) registered students of College or Education Minna. The sample size of the study was three hundred and sixty-Seven (367) drawn from the population using simple random Sampling. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970),. Questionnaire and observation checklist were used for data collection. Out of three hundred and sixty-seven (367) Copies of questionnaire administered, two hundred and ninety-six (296) copies were filled, returned and used for the analysis. Descriptive statistical tool involving frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the availability of information retrieval tools such as: Library card catalogue, OPAC. Internet search engines, online databases, bibliographies and library shelve list, while abstract and indexes were not available. The study revealed further that the level of awareness and use of the information retrieval tools by the students was very low. The study recommended among others that the management of College of Education, Minna should create more awareness programmes on those available information retrieval tools in the library for students and regular students' orientation should be carried out on how to use the information retrieval tools, to effectively access or locate relevant information resources that will meet the information needs of the students. oreover., the management should provide alternative means of power supply for effective and efficient use of information retrieval tools among library users to support their research activities.