Information Needs of Lecturers in two Private Universities in Nigeria

Abstract

This study identified the information needs of lecturers in Nigerian private universities- Using questionnaire, data was gathered from 106 randomly selected respondents in two universities established by non-government organizations. The paper examined the information needs, and sources of, information available to the lectures, as well as, problems that inhibited their easy access to information. Findings revealed that information in support of teaching and research undertakings constituted the major needs and these were gotten mainly from books and other publications. A total of 48.1% of the respondents obtained their information sources from the library. An insignificant percentage (0.9%) of the participants in this study relied on gossips or grapevine sources for information. The findings further show that "inadequacy of current and relevant materials in the library" (29.2%) is the most serious obstruction to information access. Provision of current serials, especially, journals, incorporation of ICT into the information delivery system of Nigerian private universities and provision of financial grants to enable lecturers procure relevant information sources are some of the recommendations made to improve access to information by lecturers in Nigerian private universities.