User Education Programmes and the Use of the Library in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University: the State of the Art

Abstract

This paper sets to emphasize the user education programme and the use of the library and study skills as obtainable in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and the strong need to introduce comprehensive and systematic library instruction and user education programmes in Nigerian universities with special reference to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The nature and challenges of user education in Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University are carefully highlighted. The article outlines the various roles that should be played by the university administrations, teaching staff, and the library professionals in making user education programmes and library instructions effective and efficient. The paper equally attempts to establish what impact a user education programme or use of library and study skills should have on student academic life and even after university education. This paper also advocates ways of making user education or use of library and study skills being taught under the General Studies Unit compulsory and examinable, and credit earning, to encourage students’ active participation and seriousness. The paper equally advocates the urgent need for active support and encouragement from the faculty members and teaching staff. Finally, the paper suggests the strategies for improving upon the teaching of user education in Nigerian Universities with special attention/reference to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.