Information Resources Provision and Use in Federal Government College Libraries in North-East Geopolitical Zone, Nigeria

The study examined information resources provision and use in Federal Government College libraries in the North-East geopolitical zone, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the types of information resources provided in the libraries of Federal Government Colleges in North-East Nigeria and to establish how students use the information resources provided. The study adopted a quantitative approach using a descriptive design. The population comprised 2,835 students in the six Federal Government Colleges in the North-East, Nigeria. A sample of 352 students was determined using Israel's (1992) sample size table, and stratified random sampling was used to distribute the sample proportionately among the six colleges. The instrument was validated by experts, and its reliability, established using Cronbach's alpha, was 0.805. Of the 352 questionnaires distributed with the assistance of research assistants, 338 copies were duly completed and returned, representing a 96 percent response rate. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that textbooks, story books, dictionaries, maps, newspapers, and reference resources were the most widely provided and used resources, while journals, encyclopedias, magazines, and government publications were provided and used to a much lesser extent. The study recommends that Federal Government College administrators in the North-East, Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders should ensure that school libraries are adequately supported through the provision of journals, encyclopedias, government publications, magazines, and other underprovided resources.