Availability and accessibility of special collections in university libraries inudSouth-West, Nigeria

摘要

It is believed that availability and accessibility of special collection would encourage utilizationudirrespective of the medium in which it is presented This study therefore examined the level ofudavailability and accessibility of special collections in university libraries in southwest Nigeria. TheseudUniversities include the Lagos State University, University of Lagos and Covenant University Ota.udPostgraduate students were sampled because it is perceived that they require these special collectionsudfor research effectiveness. The total population for the study was one thousand five hundred and thirtyudtwo. The study adopted the descriptive survey method. A random sampling method was used to selectudthree hundred and seven (307) respondents. Simple percentage scores and tables were used to presentudthe output of data. Data was collected through the use of a self-designed questionnaire. Two hundredudand two (202) copies of the questionnaire returned and were found usable for this study. The studyudrevealed the availability and accessibility of special collections such as theses and dissertations,udjournals, Nigeriana, government publications, gazettes, CD-R01, maps and atlases and conferenceudproceedings. The accessibility of special collections by postgraduate students in the universityudlibraries was adequate. The special collections were used for research activities. The availability ofudthese special collections and having access to it for utilization has positive influence on researchudproductivity in the university libraries.