1.1 Introduction
The term Information literacy is synonymous to user education and orientation in the use of libraries, which refers to the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and use information effectively. These skills are essential for students and researchers to access reliable and relevant information for academic purposes. Similarly, according to the American Library Association (2000), information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (ALA, 2000). Information literacy has been expanded to deal with the needs by the concept such as information over load brought about by the speedy growth in digital technologies, and the desire of the information society for competent information patrons, and as well as meet with the prerequisites of the knowledge economy for a sensitive and well-versed labour force amongst medical practitioners (Andretta, 2005).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Information literacy is the capability of individuals to locate and critically evaluate information. It is also the ability to make effective use of information in decision making and knowledge creation (Webber et al., 2003). The library is the heart of any academic institution as it helps to provide, inform and educate the students through books, journals, audio visual materials and services. Higher institutions all over the world place high emphasis on qualitative and quantitative research products to fulfill their mission of teaching, learning, research and cultural development. The measure of value placed on any institution is determined by the access to right information and level of information literacy of the students and faculties which automatically affect the research output of that institution. In Creswell (2008), researches do not only help to solve practical problems and bring about material improvements, it also provides insights into new ideas that improve human understanding of various social, economic and cultural phenomena. Research has always been the main approach to solving problems by all categories of professional (Boaduo et al., 2007).
With the rapid advancement of Information Technology (IT) the library system has also revolutionized. Institutional libraries are now categorized with dynamic electronic resources as against the traditional printed paper material. Academics and students now have unrestricted accesses to global digital information resources, particularly through the internet for scholarly communication and publications (Ani et al., 2008). These have also resulted into diverse challenges, competitions, demands, expectations and provision of quality and correct information as at when needed. On the other hand, the ability to access, retrieve and evaluate information is not enough. Users of information resources must possess information literacy skills in other to harness information resources at their disposal adequately. Knowledge and techniques for exploring information for problem solving and decision making in the ever changing IT world has birthed the information literacy skills which enables information users in the acquisition of necessary information. Information users are faces with countless information choices and must decide which resource(s) to use in the acquisition of information. They also determine the authenticity, validity, and usability of the information they discover (ALA, 2015).
University libraries are set up to provide the necessary and important information required for students, faculty and staff of the parent institution, and others within the institution community. Oyewusi and Oyebade, (2009) Stated that the key reason for establishing university libraries is to uphold the teaching, learning, and research in a manner reliable with, and helpful of, the institution's mission and goals. Moreover, the library resources and services should be satisfactory in worth, depth, variety, and up to date to support the institution's curriculum. Iyanda and Salawu (2006) defined the library as an educational and self-improvement place that functions as a vital component of a university or a school. Adeoye and Popoola (2011) stated that libraries make available information resources that offer knowledge attainment, for leisure, for individual interest and lastly for inter-personal relations for every group of clientele; however in an academic environment, attention is placed basically on academic, non-academic staff, students and researchers.
The concept of Information Communication Technology, this refers to the competence which is required for the utilization of ICT for retrieval and dissemination of information. The information resources concept, this is the competence required to locate and make use of information by one’s self or by means of the help of intermediaries, lastly,, the information process concept of information literacy, this means the process of knowing the need for information, getting information, assessing, using and disseminating information to obtain or expand knowledge. Both the ICT and use of information sources are all included in the concept.
Therefore, in Ekiti State University where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Influence of Information Literacy Skills on User Education in Academic Library.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Information literacy skill is essential in today’s information rich environment due to the rapid growth in information resources which comes in various media and with the advancement in information communication technology (ICT). Literature has also established the importance of information literacy, as a means of empowering people in all walks of life to access, evaluate and use information effectively and efficiently to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals. However, observation and research indicate that medical students encounter difficulty when using library resources which could be attributed to the fact that they lack search skills for exploiting resources, thus, making the level of use of resources very low. Likewise, information retrieval tools are often used on a trial and error basis, thereby resulting in time wasting.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to explore the Influence of Information Literacy Skills on User Education in Academic Library in Ekiti State University. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the influence of literacy skills on student education in academic library in Ekiti State University
- To find out if there is a significant relationship between information literacy skills and use of information resources by university students,
- To determine students’ levels of library literacy skills after the teaching of library literacy instruction in Ekiti State University,
- To identify the challenges confronting user education programmes in Ekiti State University,
- To assess the extent to which library user education programme has changed the Ekiti State University Students’ attitude towards library use.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the levels of information literacy skills among students in Ekiti State University?
- What are the types of electronic library resources available in Ekiti State University?
- What is the extent to which e-resources are used by students in Ekiti State University?
- What is the perceived effect of information literacy skills on the use of electronic resources by students in Ekiti State University?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There is no significant relationship between information literacy skills and use of information resources by Ekiti State University Students.
- H1: There is significant relationship between information literacy skills and use of information resources by Ekiti State University Students.
1.7 Significance of Study
This study would create awareness among university students on the need to possess information literacy competence in order to increase their search efficiency thus bringing about effective and efficient use of information resources relating to their career development. It would further expose information providers and librarians to the challenges faced by users/students in locating and using information resources both in print and electronic format. Finally, it would contribute to existing literature on information literacy.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Influence of Information Literacy Skills on User Education in Academic Library in Ekiti State University.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Information Literacy Skills: Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (ALA, 2000).
User Education: User education in an academic library context involves programs and activities designed to teach library users how to access and utilize library resources effectively. It includes orientations, training sessions, and instructional materials aimed at promoting efficient use of library services (Rehman, 2022). These programs are crucial in developing information literacy skills among students and faculty members.
Academic Library: An academic library is a library that is part of an educational institution, such as a university or college, and primarily serves the academic community. Its main function is to support the institution's curriculum by providing access to scholarly resources, research materials, and information services (Young & Peters, 2021).
Influence: Influence in this context refers to the impact or effect that information literacy skills have on the effectiveness of user education programs in academic libraries. It measures how the development of these skills contributes to better utilization of library resources and improved academic outcomes (Smith & Johnson, 2019).
