Evaluating the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

The present study assesses the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services at the public university libraries in Nigeria. With the world being swept into the vortex of this digital revolution, the expected transformation in libraries includes embedding digital technologies to meet users’ needs. While huge investments are being made in such digital initiatives, there is, however, skepticism regarding accessibility, especially in a developing environment like Nigeria. The paper synthesizes the existing literature in order to establish the state of affairs relating to digital resources at these libraries, discusses the challenges faced including infrastructure, funding deficits, and user awareness, and assesses the effect these have on accessibility. The results portray a mixed picture, whereby some libraries are keen to improve their services in relation to digitization, while various obstacles limit full usage in most of them. The findings point out that strategic intervention on improving the availability and accessibility of digital resources, policy reform, increased funding, and training programs for users are necessary.