Availability and Use of Library Resources by the Visually Impaired Students in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated availability and use of library resources by visually impaired students in selected tertiary institutions in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study was guided by four objectives, four research questions and four hypotheses. The population of the study comprised all available educational library resource and learning materials in selected tertiary institutions. Students with visual impairment in selected tertiary institutions in the Niger Delta Region namely; Rivers State University, (RSU), Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), University of Port Harcourt and Niger Delta University in Bayelsa state. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 respondents for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, titled: Availability and Use of Library Resource among Visually Impaired Users Questionnaire. Frequency count, tables and percentages were used to address the research questions. Hypotheses were tested using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the level of significance at 0.05 alpha level. Results revealed that there is no significant influence of the availability of braille on user satisfaction is rejected. There is no significant influence of the availability of speech recognition on user satisfaction is rejected and the alternative accepted. There is no significant influence of the availability of audiobooks on user satisfaction is rejected and the alternative accepted and there is no significant influence of the availability of screen readers on user satisfaction is rejected, and the alternative accepted. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made. It was recommended amongst others that Library administrators and the government in the Niger Delta region should endeavour to embrace the use of modern technologies such as Braille, Audiobooks, Speech recognition software, Screen readers and other visual learning facilities to meet the teaching of their students. Library administrators in the Niger Delta region needs to explore adopting Braille in cataloguing an item, also they should provide textbooks in braille form in various discipline. Special library patrons should be employed to guide the visually impaired when seeking for information and also proper power supply and good internet connection and the librarian should also create awareness to the visual impaired users so they can make use of the library.