Abstract

Ayegbeni Steven1and Ajoko E. O Ernest2*

This study investigated the development of academic digital library in Oyo State, Nigeria. Attention was committed to the following areas: functionality, usability assessment and challenges. Survey method was employed. The result revealed that digital library is developing in Nigeria, and its functions are evident as it supplements printed information resources. Assessment of the use of digital library should be user centred; facilities and the environment then follow. The results show the challenges associated with the use of academic digital library in Oyo State; it ranges from lack of effective access, sustainability of the resources, unstable power supply and constraints in building the resources. The tool employed for this study was a structured questionnaire consisting of 15 items. 250 University students were sampled, using simple random sampling technique. The overall result suggested that development of academic digital library in Oyo State, Nigeria is making progress, but efforts should be made in finding a durable solution to the challenges that are posing threat to its use. The paper ends with a call to higher institutions in Nigeria, to include library digitization into their policies and plans for effective use and assessment. Meanwhile, recommendations were made for future research.