Impact of Work Experience on Utilization of Electronic Information Resources Use and Research Productivity among Academic Librarians in Northeast Federal University Libraries, Nigeria

Hauwa Ahmed; Fatima Zubairu Digma; Ugochukwu C. Ekeh

doi:10.58709/niujed.v11i3.2290

Hauwa Ahmed Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Fatima Zubairu Digma Department Of Library And Information Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Ugochukwu C. Ekeh Lt Faruk Yahaya Library, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58709/niujed.v11i3.2290

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of work experience on the utilization of electronic information resources (EIRs) and research productivity among academic librarians in North-East Federal University Libraries, Nigeria. Academic libraries increasingly rely on electronic information resources such as e-journals, e-books, licensed databases, institutional repositories, and discovery systems to support scholarship. While research has highlighted the importance of electronic information resources in improving access to current literature and enhancing research productivity, the extent to which work experience influences their use remains unclear. The study adopted survey research design, the study involved the entire population of 120 academic librarians across six federal university libraries in the region. Using census sampling procedure to sample all the respondents in the study. The data were collected through a validated self-developed questionnaire with reliability index of 0.70. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, percentages, and standard deviations) and while, t-test was used to identify if there exists a significant difference in types of electronic information resources used for research productivity among academic librarians based on year of work experience. Results revealed no statistically significant difference in the types of electronic information resources used for research productivity based on years of work experience. The study recommends sustained investment in electronic information resources, continuous professional development, and the redefinition of work experience to include exposure to emerging digital tools, conference participation, and active involvement in professional networks.

Keywords: Work Experience, Academic Librarians, Electronic Information Resources (EIRs), Research Productivity and Federal University Libraries, Nigeria