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Empire .lournal of' 'ocanona! "lid Teclinical Education,"01..2 No. 2 /999 SI. Ani/re"",, College ofEducation. 0)'0

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A REVIEW OF LIBRARY BOOf( USE PATTI~RN INST. AN DREW'S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION MAIN LIBRARY, OYO

BY

B. O. GBADAMOSI

ABSTRACT

The paper examines the hook use pattern in (/ College Library. The availablestatistical data of the library services are collated, analysed and discussed. The datareveal a progressive increase in library student registration over /994-/998. The studyreveals a low borrowing pattern in comparison with registered borrowers. Booksareheavily consulted in sciences and social sciences than in Languages and education. Itrecommends that other services areas like reference, consuluuion and students' I)}'()jcctuse could he kept statisticallv.

INTHODUCTION

Library plays an invaluable role in accelerating academic and intellectualdevelopment in tertiary institutions and further. it is rightly regarded as symbolic heart ofthe institution. The use of academic libraries in the developing countries is of paramountimportant because other types of libraries which could complement the ones in theirinstitutions rarely exist (Olanlokun and Lawoyin, 1995). l

The SI. Andrew's Library system consists of two major libraries. These are theMain Library. serving four out or the five schools to which the college is made lip and thevocational and Technical Education (VTE) Library which is located a far kilornetersaway. This (VTE) library depends 011 the Main library for its book acquisitions andcataloguing processes. With over 7,657 students population. and ]02 registered stare themain library has a seating capacity of over 300 readers. The library has about 14,567volumes as at July 1999 and a good number ofjournal titles.

LlTl~RATlJRE REVIEW

To effectively measure the degree of library resource utilization in order tounderscore the exerted stress and tear, the study of library resource use pattern in anylibrary remains relevant. The use to which library book resource is put into can bemeasured if adequate statistics of various services rendered with books are well kept.Statistics of the services render to users provide a graphic picture 01" the extent to whichsuch facilities are used, Very many scholars have carried out researches on the subjectmatter at various levels either to discover the under-utilization or over-stress 01" bookfacilities, Barkey's study showed that 40% or the students borrow books (rorn fhe

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University 0(' Eastern Illinois. In purduce University only 2<)'~';) checked out 0(' librarymaterials for home use.

Luban (1969) discovered in Cl survey study carried out at the RcnsselcerPolytechnic Institute that 23<) i.e. (7.97) of the students did not use library at all. Fowowe(1989) discovered a fair picture of student use or library materials. Ill' wrote that(71.()%) or the students of the Universitv or Ilorin borrow lihrarv materials while only- . .23.6% have never. He ascribed this positive posture to the scarcity 0(' book available illNigeria and that cost of the ones available have always on the high side. This hascompelled the student to rely on library books.

The use of libraries by Human and Veterinary Maiduguri Library caught theresearch attention of Nweke. Nweke (1991), on the basis or the outcome or his researchnoted that more Veterinary Medical Scientists use IZanlal l.ihr.u. nuu,: rl'~lIl(\lly titanHuman Medical Scientists due 10 the Iact that !\gro-Vcl or lacultics or v ctcrinar,medicine libraries are generally less developed. Ogunleyc (I (96) alle1l1pll'd tuinvestigate undergraduates' use or research literature with special reference tobibliographical citation analysis at Ondo State University. He submitted that textbooksare used heavily and described the use of journals at Ondo State University asencouraging in Chemistry and zoology.

Using the statistics or the library use in the University or Lagos Library from1983 to 1988, Olanlokun and Lawoyin (1995) posited that more materials were consultedin Arts mid Social Sciences in I <)R7/Rg and the books borrowed durim; litis periodshowed an appreciable increase from the previous years. They also noted the existenceof fluctuations in the pattern of use in the five years period. Examining the use or libraryresource from the e lfect 0 I' the teach ing 0 f Iibrary stud ies Oil t he students' use 0 r thelibrary, Gbadarnosi (; 996) discovered that despite the exposure of a group of students tolibrary instructions i'l St. Audrew's College Library, library resources me still beingunder-utilized especially in the area or books borrowed and use of library catalogues.

Methodology

This study or library book use pattern is the outcome or Clsurvey study of the useto which the books are being put into. The use pattern is based on the statistical data ofthe. se;rvices rendered to the readers with particular referenc,e to bO?k rcs(~urces'l~ tatistical data on book consulted, book borrowed, at tendance 0( readers III the library, ilibrary registration pattern over 1993/94 are collected from the readers services unit or!the College library. Students enrolment of the college is collected Irom the academicsection of the College.

The statistical data are collected personally from the data riles gathered from thecirculation unit or the readers services. The data are personally collated by the rcscarcheiwho brings the figures together 011 subject basis to pave way 1'01' analytical discussion.Statistical data of the readership counts are taken to annual average while others artanalysed using the raw total figures.

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TABLEI

Books COIISU ltcd 1993-1998

Year Education Langu:l.Ecs Sciences Soc. Sciences '1'01:11, 993-94 2,530 2.382 4.564 .1.326 , 2.802, 994-95 5.428 5.418 , 1.420 , 2.0.'iO 31.316, 995-96 4,006 3.454 7.482 7JJ:24 22.5661996-97 10,301 (),283 11,184 10.541 28.3091997-98 5,942 3,813 6,283 6.295 22.333Total 28,207 21,350 40,933 39,8.% 130,326

lThe ligures in table I above show a visible fluctuations lor the materials consulted

1'01' the live ycur period. While the !igures increased ill some ye.us 1'01' SOIllC subjects.they decreased in others. It is evident from the available datu that Ill!' social sciences,more materials were consulted in 1994/95 closely followed hy science. while less number01' reading materials were consulted in education and language ill Ihl' S,lI11Cperiod. Alsofrom the table the broad total number or hooks consulted in the lorn broad slIhjl'Ct ,1IC';I'-;

can be compared. Hctwccn the live year period under review the highcst number or hookconsultation i.e. 38.309 was recorded ill 1996/97 while the lowest number i.c. 12.X02 wasrecorded ill 1993/94.

Considering the rate or book consultation 011 subject basis between the five yearperiod, it is evident from the table that the highest number or hook consultation i.e.40,933 was recorded in sciences. This is closely lollowcd by social sciences where39.836 was recorded. I Iowevcr low rate or book consultation or 21.350 and 28,207 wererecorded in l.anguages and Fducation respectively.

TABLE 2

Books Borrowcd

._-Year Education Languages Sciences Soc. Sciences Total1993-94 510 463 832 692 2,4971994-95 4456 493 717 R26 2.4811995-96 290 318 567 1.136 2.3111996-97 604 548 743 817 2,7071997-98 899 789 820 1.023 3.531Total 2,748 2,611 3,674 4,494 13,527

Analysing the total number or books borrowed vertically In subject basis. it isevident from Table 2 above that the highest number or books bo'rrowcd i.c. 4.494 wasrecorded in Social Sciences between the reviewing period. This was closely followed byScience where 3.674 books were borrowed. Again languages and education attracted lowborrowing rate of 2.611 a Ill! 2.74R respectively. A critical appruixa] 0(' tables 1 and 2almost reflect the same pattern in terms or total book consulted and book borrowed. For

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instance, there was low rate of book consultation and book borrowed in languages andeducation in both table I and 2.

Comparing the total books borrowed with total registered borrowers in tables 2ami 3, it appears the borl'Owin~ pnttern or students in generally 1000v~for inswtance, only2,497 books were borrowed by 2,575 registered borrowers in 1993/94 which interpretedto represent just one book per one registered borrowed. This pattern of one book per oneregistered harrower was maintained for the period of 1994/95 to 1996/97. The pattern\\<lS slightly improved upon in 1997/98 where 3,531 books was borrowed by 1,300students which interpreted to mean three. books per one registered borrower.

Table 3

negistercd Borrowers/Readers

YEAR NCE! r- NCE Il NeE IIT TOTAL1993-94 846 675 1,054 2,575I994-LJ5 626 8-16 675 2,147I ')L)5-06 582 ()26 896 2, I 0419%-97 644 582 626 1,8521997-98 744 300 256 1,300TOTAL 34,412 3,039 3,507 9,978

Source: Library Statistical Data

._----- ._.-._.

Ycu r Arts & Soc..")ci enee S ~angllages Sciences Ell Ilea tion Total

_____ ._ - - 0-' •. - _.- ----- -, .._---I 1)1)) .,I-I 11)I I 1942. 910 688 5451I ()()4/95 1:291 1450 937 658 433611)()5/% 97-1 1140 899 486 349919%N7 794 818 926 306 28441997/98 445 388 304 177 1314Tolal 5,415 5,738 3,976 2,315 17,444

Source:- Academic Affair Section of the College

The statistical data in tables 3 and 4, above are analysed together. The percentageused in discussion below is arrived at by finding the percentage of the total registeredborrowers over toral students enrolment between J 993/94-1997/98.

i\ study 01' the statistics or registered borrowers and readers with studentscnrulrucut ill tables 3 and 4 above, show that many students failed to register in thelibrary. The college students population in 1993/94 was 5,451. Out of this figure only:',575 i.c. (47.2%) students registered in the library. Out or 4,336 students enrolment in

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1994/95 only 2,147 (49.5%) registered as borrowers or readers ill the same period. Withthis near average students registration. it appears the teaching or Library Instructions tostudents is beginning to have influence on the rcgisuntion pattern and hy extensionlibrary resources will be better utilized. In 1995!96. (Jut or the totul population or ].499only 2, I 04 (60.1 <X) students registered in the library as borrowers. The librarydepartment resuscitated the teaching or library instructions to students in 199]/94. In1996/97 however, I ,R52 out or 2,844 students enrolment repIl'sl'lllill!.!. (()) I%) IL'gislL'rl'din the library. Finally in I <)()7!<JR. I .lOO ()R.9~~) students out nl 1.\' ,I IL'gi.s!l'rl'd ill till'library. This is an appreciable improvement over the previous ycurs. The PCIl'L'llt;lgC orlibrary student registration over the total enrolment pattern is prugrcsxivclv increasing.The registration is (47.2<%) in 1993/94 (49SYo) in 1994/95, (60.1 %) in 1995/1)6. (65.1) ill.1996/97 and (98.8%) in 1997/98. II' this trend can he sustained.Tibrary book resourceswill be better utilized.

Perhaps. it is saved to report here that with the introduction or part-time sandwichdegree programme of Ondu State University (OSU!\) into the College, library facilitiesincluding books/joumnls, reading seats are being put into use more then expected. Theoverstrcss or the library facilities including personnel during the J-Illonth pcriou could beaddressed to the unenvisaged overlap or the regular N.eL programme and sandwichdegree programme.

TABLF-5

Readership Counts

Average AnnualYear Total Reader in Library Percentage1993/94 123,252 337.071994/95 95,224 260.881995/96 40,964 112.231996/97 64,835 177.631997/98 63,472 173.89

The Library takes the statistics or readers in the library five times in a day.l

The main library call seat an average or 300 readers at a time. Table 5 aboveshows a low patronage on average. Apart [rom 1993/94 when the average readers in thelibrary overshoot the maximum capacity the library call accommodute. the table shows afluctuating low reader attendance between 1994-1998. Since the average readingcapacity or the library is 300, it is evident 1'1'0111 the data that the library operated belowmaximum capacity between 1994/95 and 1997/98. The higher the readership capacitythe higher the utilization or the resources including hooks. Where the readership is lowas reflected in table 5, it indicates a low use or book resources.

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CONCLUSION

The available data of the services rendered in library giH'S ,I 1;lir picture (11'111,: u«:of the materials in the collection. Also the data provide the extern (l1~;llllkllh' ;111\"IHI:1I1U'

in the library. It is also revealed tll"t science and soci:d science studcllts ClIIISUII ;llldborrow more books than other student» as rcllcctct] Iron: tuhles I .md 2. l.duc.uiou is ageneral course to all the students in the college in addition, Cl good number (If studentsmajor in few aspects of education courses particularly Primary Education Studies (PES).One would have expected heavy consultation and book borrow in education. The totalstatistical data on book consulted and books borrowed in tables I and 2 did not reflectthis perception. It appears the ready handbooks and lecture notes that arc readilyprovided in general education by lecturers could be responsible.

As a way of regenerating interest and awareness or the library use ltltlvilg, thestudents, library instruction programme through the General Studies EducationProgramme was introduced in 1993/94. With this library education programme in place,conpled with the progressive increase in library students registration as analysed above, itappears the awareness to use library resources especially books is on the increase.

The use of students project is fast gaining popularity among students. It is beingrecommended that statistics or students project use could be kept in addition to referencebook consultation which is virtually absent at present. With coming on board or thedegree sandwich students a further research into the use or book resource is desirable.

REFERENCES

Barkey Patrick (1965): Patterns or students use or a college library. College andResearch Libraries 26(2), p. 115-8.

Fowowe, S. O. (1989): Student's Use of all Academic Library: !\ survey at the Universityofllorin Libraries. Nigeria Library tlncllnformatiol1 Science Review, 7(1), 47-55.

Gbadamosi, B. O. (1996): Effects of the teaching or Library Studies on Students' use orthe Library at St Andrews College of Education, Oyo. Journal or TechnolQID'and Education in Nigeria i(l ), p.24 .

.Idin, A. K. (1966): Sampling and short-period usage in the purduce Library. College ofResearch Libraries. 27(3),211-218,

Lubana John (1969): Student use or a technological University Library/ ATULproceedings Lloyd Gene Elliot (1977). A study or tile use hv undergraduates ofUniversity Library Ph.D thesis, the Florida l lnivcrxity .

Nweke, R.M.C.( 1991): lIse of Libraries by lluman and Vctcrianry Medical SciclJtists(HYMS) in Borno State. Nig. Lib. and lnlor. Science Review; Vol. 9(2), p.51.

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Ogunleye, G. O. (1991). 'Undergraduates' Use or Research Literature: a hihliographCca\citation analysis or Science Project reports accepted by ,I Nigerian l luivcrsity":Library Bulletins: Nigerian Univcrsili.1.ibrary System. Vol.l (2); p.(jo.

Olanlokun, S. O. and l.uwoyin, .J. O. (1995): l.ihrary Use l'attcrns. The University orLagos Main l.inrary, I 'JR3, 1<)88, Lng~, 1(j, p.n.

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