Utilization of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at the Lagos State Polytechnic Library in Nigeria
Keywords:
terminals, book shelves, Lagos State Polytechnic, Library, OPACAbstract
This paper aimed at presenting the results of a survey conducted to determine the
effective use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at the library of Lagos
State Polytechnic Ikorodu. The study adopted survey research design. Four
hundred copies of the structured questionnaire were distributed randomly to
staff and students of the Polytechnic in Ikorodu campus for the 2011/2012
academic session. Out of the four hundred copies of questionnaire distributed
91.14% of the respondents identified the use of OPAC while 8.86% signified that
they don't use the OPAC to access Library collections. The data collated were
analyzed using frequency distribution table and simple percentage. Some of the
problems observed from the study in the use of OPAC at the library include: lack
of awareness amongst the library users community, lack of instruction in the use
of software package, shortage of terminals, instability of electricity supply among
others. Hence, the study recommends among others, the need for continuous
instructions for library users on how to search information materials within the
library using the OPAC.
References
Adedibu, L. O. (2008). Catalogue Use by Science Students in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
International Journal of Library and Information Science, 58 (1), 58-62
Amune, J. B. (2004). Union Catalogue Project: The Role of the Cataloguer. In Current Trend in
Information and Communication Technology: Application Technical Services. Proceedings
of the Cataloguing, Classification and Indexing Section of Nigeria Library Association,
-69
Chowdbury, G. G. (2004). Introduction to Modern Information Retrieval (2nd ed.) London: Facet
Publishing.
Egberongbe, Halima S. (2000). Catalogue Uses Study: A Survey of User searches at the University
of Lagos Library. Nigerian Libraries, 34 (1), 17-25
Harter, S. P. (1986). Online Information Retrieval: Concepts, Principles and Techniques. United
State of America: Academic Press Inc.
Mulla, K. R. and Chandrashekara, M. (2009). A study on the Effective Use of Online Public Access
Catalogue at the libraries of Engineering Colleges in Karnataka (India). International Journal
of Library and Information Science, 1 (3), 029-042
Mutshewa, Athulang (2008). Information Retrieval Systems, Strategies and Challenges for African Information Searchers. In Aina, L. O. (ed) Information and Knowledge management in the Digital Age: Concepts, technologies and African Perspectives. Ibadan: Third World Information Services Limited.
Omoloju, F. M. (1985). Automating the Library System: Issues, Thought and Veiw. Nigerbiblio, 10 (1), 15
Salaam M. O. (2000). Users' Reaction to an On Line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) in a Nigerian
Agricultural University Library. Gateway Library, 2 & 3, 55-60
