Assessment of Digital Libraries in Tertiary Institutions in Bauchi Metropolis: Availability, Utilization, Challenges, And Sustainability

Rhoda Yahaya Degri; Rahila Pagiel Kijim

doi:10.56201/ijee.v12.no.2.2026.pg866.881

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Assessment of Digital Libraries in Tertiary Institutions in Bauchi Metropolis: Availability, Utilization, Challenges, And Sustainability

Rhoda Yahaya Degri, Rahila Pagiel Kijim

Abstract

The study assessed digital libraries in tertiary institutions in Bauchi Metropolis with emphasis on their availability, utilization, challenges, and sustainability. Digital libraries have become indispensable in supporting teaching, learning, research, and innovation in higher education through the provision of electronic information resources and online library services. Despite increased investment in digital library infrastructure by government and institutional authorities, concerns remain regarding the adequacy of available digital resources, the level of utilization by users, the challenges affecting effective implementation, and the sustainability of digital library services in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The study therefore sought to examine the availability of digital library facilities and electronic resources, determine the extent of their utilization by students and academic staff, identify the factors influencing their use, investigate the challenges affecting digital library services, and assess the sustainability strategies adopted by tertiary institutions in Bauchi Metropolis. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population comprised undergraduate students, postgraduate students, academic staff, librarians, and ICT personnel drawn from selected tertiary institutions in Bauchi Metropolis. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a representative sample of respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed on a five-point Likert scale. The validity of the instrument was established through expert review, while its reliability was determined using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were used to analyze the research questions, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis were employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences .The expected findings indicate that most tertiary institutions in Bauchi Metropolis possess basic digital library infrastructure, including internet-enabled computer systems, institutional repositories, electronic books, electronic journals, and online databases. However, the level of utilization is expected to be moderate due to inadequate awareness, limited ICT competencies, poor internet connectivity, unstable electricity supply, insufficient funding, and inadequate user training. The study is also expected to reveal that the sustainability of digital libraries depends largely on continuous institutional funding, effective ICT infrastructure, regular system maintenance, capacity building for librarians and users, strong management support, and strategic collaboration with government agencies and database providers. The study concludes that while digital libraries have significantly improved access to scholarly information and enhanced teaching, learning, and research in tertiary institutions within Bauchi Metropolis, IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io several infrastructural, financial, technological, and human capacity challenges continue to limit their optimal utilization and long-term sustainability. The study recommends increased investment in ICT infrastructure, improved internet bandwidth, regular training programmes for library staff and users, enhanced awareness campaigns on available electronic resources, strengthened institutional policies on digital library management, and sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement of digital library services. The findings will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on digital library development and provide useful information for policymakers, educational administrators, librarians, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in improving digital library services in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Keywords

Digital LibrariesAvailabilityUtilizationElectronic Information ResourcesICT InfrastructureSustainabilityAcademic LibrariesTertiary InstitutionsBauchi Metropolis.

References

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Assessment of Digital Libraries in Tertiary Institutions in Bauchi Metropolis: Availability, Utilization, Challenges, And Sustainability

Abstract

Keywords

References

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