THE INFLUENCE OF THE USE OF LIBRARY SERVICES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

ABSTRACT
This study examines the influence of the use of library services on academic performance of students in tertiary institutions with particular reference to Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Relevant literatures to the topic were reviewed in the course of this study. The population of the study is 1187. The stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 100 respondents. The research design used for the study was the Survey research design by which the researcher administered questionnaires to elicit facts from the study participants. The study revealed among others that students are reluctant to use library services and that there are insufficient books in the library. The researcher recommended among others that students should be encouraged to have good reading habits, organize orientation courses for the new students to enhance efficient use of the library. Also, the books/journals in the library should be up-to-date to meet the current needs of students. The APA style of referencing was used in the study.

Background to the Study
Education is a vital process through which a country develops its human resources. This view is supported by Romanus (2013) who asserted that the main function of academic institutions in Nigeria is the development of human resources through teaching, learning and research. This function is carried out at the different levels of academic institutions in Nigeria which include universities, tertiary institutions and colleges of education.
In other for academic institutions to be able to carry out their function effectively, the influence of library services cannot be over looked. The library according to Hornsby (2010) is a building in which collections of books, CDs, newspapers, etc are kept for people to read, study or borrow. This indicates that the library is a store house for information resource. Sabo (2005) claimed that knowledge discovery, accumulation and dissemination is what placed the advanced countries at the top, by their control of social and human capital information, economic development and improved conditions of living. The library exists for the sole purpose of accumulating and disseminating knowledge.

The level of academic activities including research in any tertiary institution is directly a function of the quality and quantity of library resources available in the institution’s library, their accessibility and utilization by both staff and students. Libraries provide staff and students with information resource for teaching, learning and research. The library resources could be either in print or non-print or both. Library resources include textbooks, journals, abstracts and indexes. Others include newspapers and magazines, reports, CD-ROM, databases, videotapes/cassettes, diskettes magnetic tapes, computers and microforms (Oyewusi and Oyeboade, 2009).

Popoola and Haliso (2009) have noted the need for both staff and students to use the library in order enhance efficiency in teaching and learning as well as improve their publication output. In Nigeria, tertiary institutions like other academic institutions are provided with libraries to ensure regular and adequate supply of information resources and services. The functions of such libraries would be among others to acquire and organize library resources in retrievable formats and create suitable learning environment in which staff and students are provided with varieties of such library resources and services for learning and research.
Library services play an important role in the academic performance of students. Romanus (2013) asserts that with the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) into library services, electronic resources such as CD ROM databases, computers and other online resources are now found in some tertiary institution libraries. All these resources are channelled toward providing information to the library users in line with the courses offered in these institutions which are mainly engineering, sciences, management and for general interest reading. These resources are very essential in the attainment of academic institution’s overall objectives which usually revolve around the development of national human resources.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
The library in any academic environment provides information materials relevant to the courses taught within the institutions. It provides a number of services in order to meet the information needs of users and fulfils the objectives of the institution. Libraries are important to the development of students’ knowledge and the society at large.
However, in spite of the importance of library services to the academic performance of tertiary institution students it is alarming that students attitude towards the use of library services has been very poor. Most students prefer to read in their hostel rooms or classrooms only to pass their examinations. They are now very lazy and reluctant to consult books to help them get more information in the course of studies.
Some students are unable to use library services because they lack the knowledge to do so. Even when students are taught use of library, it is usually for a single semester and the course unit is also low. Consequently, students just read the course to pass and not to acquire the competence in the effective use of library services.

In most Nigeria tertiary institutions, books in the library are not sufficient for use. Students cannot borrow certain books for use because the books are limited in copies. In most cases, students are called to return books loan out to them before the due date for return. Most libraries are stalked with books which are out-dated. Management have continuously neglected its duty to provide sufficient and up-to-date books to enhance students learning.