Preservation Methods and Access to Digital Materials on Research Output of Users in Federal University Libraries in Northern Nigeria.

Abstract

The study investigated the preservation methods, accessibility to digital materials and their influence on research output of ICT librarians and lecturers in 22 Federal University in Northern Nigeria. The study was guided by the three objectives and three research questions to capture methods of preservation, continuous and limitless accessibility as well as use and extent of the use of digital materials on research output of ICT librarians and lecturers respectively. Descriptive survey was employed with target population of 12,691 respondents (161 ICT librarians and 12,530 lecturers) in 22 conventional and specialized federal universities in Northern Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 456 respondents (79 ICT librarians and 377 lecturers) drawn from nine federal universities. Structured but four point rating scale questionnaire was used in data collection. Out of 456 copies of questionnaire administered, 386 copies were filled and returned. Mean and standard deviation (descriptive statistics) was used in the analysis of data while 2.50 mean score was adopted as the criterion mean. Findings showed that digitization (x = 3.17) was the most adopted preservation method to digital materials; the use of digital preservation software (x = 3.00) promote continuous and limitless accessibility to digital material. Other finding showed that journal articles (x = 3.40) facilitate access to digital materials, while E-journals (x = 3.27) were used very often and often in Federal University Libraries in Northern Nigeria. The study recommended training program, reactivation of digital preservation software and scholarly communication among ICT librarians and lecturers in federal universities in Northern Nigeria.