USES OF SERIAL PUBLICATIONS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE STUDENTS IN SELECTED PUBLIC POLYTECHNICS, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA.

The study Investigated “Uses of serial publications on academic performance of Library and information science students in selected Public Polytechnics, Southwest, Nigeria”. Five research objectives and five research questions were drawn to guide the study, research method used was descriptive survey and the research instrument used was questionnaire, 193 copies of questionnaire were administered and 174 were adequately filled and returned, simple percentage was used in data analysis and the result presented in tabular for.The study revealed that Newspapers, Magazine, Journal, newsletter are the major serials publications available in academic libraries and majority of the respondents used serial publications for academic purpose. The study also revealed that serial publications have significant impact on students’ academic performance. The study further revealed challenges affecting the usage of serial publications among the students, including inadequate funding, lack of quality staff in the serial unit, lack of adequate or regular power supply among others. The study therefore suggested the solutions to challenges associated to the uses of serial publications which include; Provision of adequate funding for increased development of serial publications, Provision of infrastructures, Provision of Website, good bandwidth, qualitative computer system and ICT manager among others strategies. Based on the findings, the study recommended that; Implementation of electronic tracking system for serial publications to improve access and usage,library staff should ensure that the serials are well shelved after utilization, this factor will make the materials to be more accessible to the users and much time will not be consumed in locating them among others. Key words: Uses, serial publications, academic performance, Students.