International Journal of Academic Research in Education and Review

Vol. 9(4), pp. 213-223, May 2021

ISSN: 2360-7866

DOI: 10.14662/IJARER2021.175

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Usability and Use of Koha Opac by Students in Three Polytechnic Libraries in South-West, Nigeria

 

1Otuyalo, Modupe Atinuke and 2Babalola, Yemisi T.

 

1Department of Information Resource Management, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: Otuyalo.m@mylaspotech.edu.ng , E-mail: tinux2003@yahoo.com

2Department of Information Resource Management, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: babalolay@babcock.edu.ng, E-mail: yemisiolutayo@yahoo.com

 

Accepted 24 May 2021

Abstract

Abstract: Literature revealed that many students in Polytechnics browse through the library shelves directly instead of using the OPAC to retrieve information that could be a link to information resources on the shelves. The usability of the OPAC in terms of its efficiency, effectiveness and user-friendliness could be the challenge. Therefore, the study examined the influence of usability on the use of Koha OPAC by students in Polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 10,615 registered library users in the three Polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria. A sample size of 374 was obtained using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determinant method. A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Response rate was 94.4%. Findings revealed a significant, positive relationship between usability and use of OPAC by students in Polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria (N =354, r =254, P<0.05). The use of OPAC and the usability of OPAC were average indicating that its use was not yet optimized among the students. The study concluded that usability has influence on the use of OPAC by students in Polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria. Therefore the study recommended that user education programs in the Polytechnic libraries should include practical sessions where students would be taught various search strategies.

 

Keywords: Koha, Usability, Use of OPAC, OPAC, Information resources

Paper type: research