THE NEED FOR LIBRARY USER EDUCATION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
THE NEED FOR LIBRARY USER EDUCATION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY
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Date
2015
Authors
Martha G. H.
BUBE, Abdulkarim A.
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Abstract
This paper discussed the need for library user education in academic libraries in the twenty first
century. It discussed concept of library user as an individual who goes to the library to seek for
information. Types of library user such as potential, expected, actual and beneficial user were
mentioned, concept of library user education as all the activities carried out to enlighten user how to
use the library was discussed, development of the library user education which started at the end of
Eighteen century to date was discussed. In the paper, academic libraries were defined as libraries
found in tertiary institutions, library user education in academic libraries in the Twenty First Century
where information is found in different electronic devices was highlighted, types of library user
education such as library instruction, library orientation, use of library and user awareness were
discussed. The paper mentioned advantages of library user education to include promotion of user's
independent research, reduction of user's dependence on the librarian during information search
among others were mentioned, challenges encountered during library user education such as
inadequate library staff to handle the task, poor commitment of users to the instruction etc. were
listed. The paper concluded that library user education is very crucial in the academic libraries
especially in the twenty first century this is because library is the heart of every academic institution
dealing with teaching, learning and research among others.