Relevance and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) in University Libraries in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

OPAC is an acronym of Online Public Access Catalogue and it is an online database of holdings in a library or group of libraries whereby users search catalogue to locate variety of information resources such as books, monographs, serials, theses, audio visual material and other information resources. OPAC enables user to have easy access to holdings in library or group of libraries thereby saving the time of user. The study investigated the relevance and use of online public access catalogue in universities of Jos, Ilorin as well as African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. Three research questions were formulated to include variables such as relevance, use and challenges. Descriptive survey was used with population of 24,033 users (undergraduate and postgraduate students and faculty members). Stratified sampling technique was used to select 377 users. Four point likert scale questionnaire was used in data collection. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyze data. Findings showed that OPAC was relevance in the use of mobile phone and computer system to access information resources as well as for academic and educational purposes. OPAC was used to access e-journal/books and to determine the existence of document on shelve. Inadequate ICT skills, lack of awareness of website addresses and indifference of library staff were the challenges in the accessibility and use of OPAC. Recommendations were proffered e.g. management of university libraries operating OPAC should provide more computer systems for easy accessibility to information resources in university libraries in North Central, Nigeria.