Management of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) by Library Personnel of Selected University Libraries in Ogun State

Abstract

Management of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) require digital skills and strategies which are the hallmarks of digital preservation; thus, it is imperative that library personnel are found to be versed in these skills and strategies to be able to cope with the demands of the modern electronic information and emerging technology age. The study examined the management of EIRs by library personnel of university libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique proportionate to size was adopted to select 168 respondents, using a structured questionnaire for data collection, out of which a total of 149 copies were found useful, giving a response rate of 88.6%. Descriptive statistics: namely, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Ordinary Least Squares regression technique (OLS) were used to analyse the data. Results of the demographic information revealed that a larger percentage (61.4 %) of the respondents were female. Results also revealed that e-journals1.95), online pubResearch4Lifegue1.93), electronic journals, books, magazines and bulletins made available through electronic databases such as the Research4Life, Ebscohost and ScienceDirect were available in the university libraries studied. Results further revealed that provision of backup and barcode3.19) and software emulation3.12) were the most prominent preservation strategies employed in the libraries. Financial constraints 1.76) and obsolete technology 1.67) were the major challenges faced in the preservation and management of EIRs. The study concluded by recommending that stakeholders and university administrations should build the capacity of library personnel for enhanced management of EIRs.