Library Cooperation and the Utilization of Digital Library by Postgraduate Students inSelected Universities in South-West, Nigeria

Abstract

Digital libraries are established to meet the demands of students who need information which
are current and available at ago, to satisfy their academic needs. However, in spite of the
benefits accrued to the utilization of digital library, postgraduate students, hardly make
meaningful use of digital libraries. The study therefore investigates library cooperation and
utilization of digital library by postgraduate students in selected universities in South-west,
Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study
comprised 29,017 postgraduate students and 363 library personnel in 12 universities in Southwest, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to draw a sample size of 385
postgraduate students. Simple random technique with a sampling fraction of 50% was used to
draw a sample size of 182 from the library personnel population. Postgraduate students
predominantly use digital library for examination preparation (???? = 3.36) and to complete
assignment (???? = 3.29). There is a low frequency of digital library use by the postgraduate
students. The prominent area of library cooperation among the digital libraries was Interlibrary lending (???? = 3.43). The study identified erratic power supply (???? = 3.25), and slow
internet speed (???? = 3.15) as challenges to digital library use by the postgraduate students.
There is a weak, positive but not statistically significant relationship between library
cooperation and digital library utilization by postgraduate students (r = .146, P > 0.05).
Library cooperation influences the utilization of digital library by postgraduate students.
Libraries should prioritize investment in collaborating with other institutions and stakeholders
to share best practices, develop common standards and promote interoperability of digital
resources.