Use of Open Access Resources and Library Personnel Service Delivery in Federal Polytechnics in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria

Abstract

The 21^st century library service delivery is increasingly resting upon effective use of open access resources (OARs) due to the increasing cost of digital information resources in proprietary databases. Unfortunately, reports of service delivery issues in relation to OARs use among library personnel in tertiary institutions in Nigeria abound in available literature. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between the use of open access resources and library personnel’s service delivery in federal polytechnics in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. The descriptive research design was employed through the use of an online questionnaire administered to 38 library personnel at Auchi Polytechnic, National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State; Federal Polytechnic Orogun; and Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, using the total enumeration sampling technique. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings emanating from the study reveals that: library personnel level of service delivery is moderately high (x̄ = 2.63); but their usage of open access resources for service delivery was at low extent (x̄ = 2.14); and the library personnel’ usage of open access resources has no significant relationship with their service delivery (i.e. very weak positive relationship at r = 0.12; p < 0.05). Several challenges were also found to confront library personnel’s use of open access resources and service delivery (x̄ = 2.99). These include poor infrastructure and a low level of technological readiness among library personnel. The study, therefore, concludes that an increase in library personnel’s use of open access resources would have a significant positive effect on their service delivery, and recommendations were made.