Browsing by Author "Njuku, Sheila U."

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    Availability and Utilization of Resources Discovery Services in Academic Libraries in Delta State.
    (International Scientific Research Consortium (ISRC)., 2025-11) Njuku, Sheila U.; Nwachokor, Maureen I.; Okonkwo, Emmanuel; Okwudibe, Ernest
    The study focused on academic libraries in Delta State, Nigeria, with emphasis on the challenges affecting their effective use of resource discovery services in academic libraries in Delta State and the strategies required for improvement. Four research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A total of 113 librarians across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Delta state were surveyed for the study. Data were collected using an observation checklist and a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations. Findings revealed that traditional cataloguing tools, such as manual catalogue cards and card indexes, remained the most widely available and utilized resource discovery mechanisms, while modern digital and metadata-driven discovery tools show limited availability and low utilization. Although systems such as OPAC, KOHA, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost Discovery Service are gradually emerging, their usage were still minimal. Major challenges identified include inadequate funding, poor internet connectivity, fragmented or low-quality metadata, users' limited search skills, and low technological familiarity. The study further identified several strategies necessary for improving discovery services, including sustained funding, improved technological infrastructure, quality metadata management, system interoperability, information literacy programmes, and enhanced digital skills among librarians. The study concluded that while academic libraries in Delta State were transitioning between traditional and modern discovery systems, emphasizes should be made for increased investment and capacity building to fully optimize resource discovery services for improved access to information resources.