The Impact of Digital Libraries and Online Repositories on Information Access and Utilization in Academic Institutions: Evidence from Nigerian Universities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70112/ajist-2025.15.2.4353Keywords:
Digital Library, Online Repositories, Information Access, Universities, NigeriaAbstract
The study investigated the impact of digital libraries and online repositories on information access and utilization in academic institutions, with evidence from Nigerian universities. It acknowledged that academic institutions play a crucial role in the development, maintenance, and sharing of knowledge. Libraries in universities and colleges have traditionally been the cornerstone of academic life, providing students, faculty, and researchers with access to scholarly materials necessary for teaching, learning, and innovation. The research design adopted for the study was a descriptive survey, and the target population comprised 656 library workers employed in various types of university libraries in Nigeria, including federal, state-, and privately-owned institutions. A sample size of 585 respondents was drawn from the total population. The findings revealed that seven out of ten faculty members regularly used digital platforms for teaching and research, whereas only half of the undergraduate students did the same. The study concluded that the adoption of ICT is strongest in federal universities due to government subsidies, increasing competitiveness in private universities, and weaknesses in state universities arising from financial and infrastructural limitations. It was recommended that agencies such as the NCC and private providers be engaged, particularly to support rural and state-owned institutions.
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