Full Project – THE ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN SUPPORT OF INFORMATION NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Education is widely recognized as a vital instrument for national development, social transformation, and individual advancement. In the modern knowledge society, access to information has become essential for academic success and lifelong learning. The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly transformed the educational sector, making learning more flexible, accessible, and learner-centered. One of the educational systems that has benefited greatly from technological advancement is Open and Distance Education (ODE).

Open and Distance Education refers to a system of education in which learners and instructors are separated by distance, and communication is facilitated through technological and print-based media. It provides educational opportunities to individuals who may not be able to participate in conventional face-to-face learning due to geographical, financial, occupational, or social limitations. ODE has become increasingly important in many countries because it expands access to education and promotes inclusive learning opportunities.

Students in Open and Distance Education rely heavily on information resources and support services to achieve their academic goals. Unlike students in conventional institutions who have direct physical access to lecturers, classmates, and library facilities, distance learners often study independently and remotely. As a result, they require effective information support systems to meet their academic, research, and personal learning needs. Libraries and librarians therefore play a crucial role in ensuring that these learners have access to relevant, current, and reliable information resources.

Librarians are information professionals trained in the acquisition, organization, preservation, retrieval, and dissemination of information resources. In the context of Open and Distance Education, librarians provide support services that enable students to access learning materials regardless of their location. They assist students in locating information resources, developing information literacy skills, using digital databases, and accessing electronic resources. Librarians also help students overcome challenges related to information access and utilization.

The role of librarians has evolved from traditional book management to active participation in teaching, research support, and digital information services. In Open and Distance Education, librarians are expected to provide virtual reference services, online user education, digital resource management, and remote access to information materials. They also collaborate with academic staff to support curriculum delivery and ensure that students receive adequate learning support.

The increasing dependence on electronic resources, online databases, and digital libraries has further expanded the responsibilities of librarians in supporting distance learners. Through the use of ICT tools such as online catalogs, e-books, institutional repositories, and virtual learning platforms, librarians help students access information anytime and anywhere. This support contributes significantly to students’ academic performance, independent learning, and research productivity.

Despite the importance of librarians in Open and Distance Education, many institutions still face challenges in providing adequate library and information services to distance learners. Some of these challenges include inadequate funding, poor internet connectivity, limited access to electronic resources, lack of technological infrastructure, low information literacy skills among students, and insufficient professional training for librarians. These challenges may affect the ability of librarians to effectively support the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education.

It is against this background that this study seeks to examine the role of librarians in supporting the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education. The study aims to identify the information needs of distance learners, examine the services provided by librarians, assess the effectiveness of such services, and identify the challenges faced by librarians in the process of supporting distance education students.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Open and Distance Education has become an important means of expanding access to education across the world. It provides opportunities for individuals who are unable to participate in conventional education due to work commitments, geographical distance, financial limitations, or family responsibilities. However, students in Open and Distance Education often face difficulties in accessing information resources and academic support services necessary for effective learning.

Unlike students in traditional institutions who can physically access libraries and interact directly with lecturers and librarians, distance learners depend largely on remote access to information resources. This makes the role of librarians very important in supporting their academic and information needs. Librarians are expected to provide access to digital resources, online reference services, user education, and information literacy training to enable students to succeed academically.

Despite these responsibilities, many libraries supporting Open and Distance Education programs face several challenges such as inadequate technological facilities, insufficient funding, limited electronic resources, poor internet connectivity, and lack of skilled personnel. In some cases, students are unaware of available library services or lack the skills needed to effectively utilize digital information resources.

Consequently, many students in Open and Distance Education experience difficulties in obtaining relevant information for assignments, research, and learning activities. This situation may negatively affect their academic performance, research productivity, and overall learning experience. Therefore, there is a need to examine the role of librarians in supporting the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education and to identify measures that can improve library services for distance learners.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the role of librarians in support of the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education.

The specific objectives are to:

1. identify the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education;
2. examine the roles performed by librarians in supporting distance learners;
3. determine the library and information services provided to students in Open and Distance Education;
4. assess the effectiveness of librarians’ support services in meeting students’ information needs;

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following research questions:

1. What are the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education?
2. What roles do librarians perform in supporting students in Open and Distance Education?
3. What library and information services are provided to distance learners?
4. How effective are librarians’ support services in meeting the information needs of students?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to librarians, students, educational institutions, researchers, policymakers, and the society at large.

The study will help librarians understand the importance of their roles in supporting distance learners and encourage them to improve the quality of information services provided to students in Open and Distance Education. It will also help librarians identify effective strategies for enhancing information access and user support.

The study will benefit students in Open and Distance Education by highlighting the importance of library services in meeting their academic and research needs. It may also increase students’ awareness of available information resources and encourage them to utilize library services effectively.

Educational institutions offering Open and Distance Education programs will benefit from the findings of this study by understanding the need to provide adequate library infrastructure, technological facilities, and professional support services for distance learners.

The study will also serve as a useful source of information for researchers and scholars interested in library and information science, distance education, and information service delivery. It may contribute to existing literature and provide a foundation for further research in related areas.

Policymakers and educational administrators may use the findings of this study to formulate policies and strategies aimed at improving library and information services in Open and Distance Education institutions.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the role of librarians in supporting the information needs of students in Open and Distance Education in Ekiti State. The study examines the information needs of distance learners, the services provided by librarians, the effectiveness of such services, and the challenges associated with information service delivery in Open and Distance Education.

The study is limited to library and information services provided to students enrolled in Open and Distance Education programs. It does not cover students in conventional face-to-face educational systems except where comparisons are necessary for clarification.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Librarians

Librarians are trained information professionals responsible for acquiring, organizing, managing, and disseminating information resources and providing information services to users.

Information Needs

Information needs refer to the desire or requirement for information necessary for learning, research, problem-solving, decision-making, or personal development.

Open and Distance Education (ODE)

Open and Distance Education is a system of learning in which students and instructors are separated by physical distance and teaching is conducted through print, electronic, and online communication technologies.

Distance Learners

Distance learners are students who study remotely without regular face-to-face interaction with instructors in a traditional classroom environment.

Information Services

Information services refer to the various activities and services provided by libraries and librarians to assist users in accessing, retrieving, and utilizing information resources.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information from various sources.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized into five chapters. Chapter One deals with the introduction, background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, significance of the study, scope of the study, operational definition of terms, and organization of the study.

Chapter Two focuses on the review of related literature and theoretical framework relevant to the study. Chapter Three discusses the research methodology, including research design, population of the study, sampling techniques, instruments for data collection, and methods of data analysis. Chapter Four presents and analyzes the data collected for the study, while Chapter Five contains the summary, conclusion, and recommendations based on the findings of the study.

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Full Project – THE ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN SUPPORT OF INFORMATION NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION