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Library Orientation and Information Use among First-Year Students: A Case Study of Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi

Martha Amos, David GK Iliya

Abstract

This study examined the influence of library orientation on the information use habits of first- year students at the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi. The study was necessitated by the observation that many new students often underutilize library resources despite their importance in supporting academic success. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 120 respondents selected through a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and t-test) at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between the quality of library orientation and students’ information use (r = 0.781, p < 0.05). It was further observed that inadequate orientation time, lack of ICT literacy, and poor awareness of library services hindered optimal utilization. The study concludes that comprehensive library orientation significantly enhances students’ ability to access, evaluate, and use information resources effectively. The researcher recommends that universities institutionalize compulsory library orientation programs for all new entrants, integrate digital literacy sessions, and adopt continuous user education strategies.

Keywords

Library orientationinformation usefirst-year studentsacademic libraries.

References

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