THE PERCEPTION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENT ON THE CONCEPT OF ELECTRONIC LIBRARY

ABSTRACT This research paper explored the expectations of the students of Library and Information Science (LIS) toward the idea of an electronic library at Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State. Using a case study approach, data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that was used with the target group. The presentation of the empirical findings was enabled by descriptive statistical methods with percentage analyses of the samples, thus promoting a direction through which it can be discussed and interpreted. The results show that LIS students are still facing a number of barriers to using the e-library in the polytechnic. Among significant hurdles would include lack of networking systems and sporadic electricity supply, lack of awareness of the student body to the existence of e-library system, shallow understanding of the e-library concept and insufficient repository of electronic resources. Respondent, the study makes specific recommendations, among them, the improvement of telecommunication services to introduce a stable and effective local area network that will eliminate the existing weaknesses in e-library facilities at the institution.