Information Needs and Use of Technologist

Abstract

This study attempts to find out the basic information needs of technologists of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and to determine various factors that influence their information use and sources of information consulted, in order to facilitate the provision of timely and adequate information for their research. Questionnnaire method was used to solicit information from respondents. The total number of questionnaire designed for the study were 60 and distributed among technologists, of which 57 were completed and returned for analysis, leaving the response rate at 95%. Information were requested on the use of library, books consulted, journals available in the library, access to internet facilities, etc. The study revealed that the technologists at LAUTECH used the library for their work. Their search for information was influenced by the need for personnal development and to gain knowledge to do scientific assignments. The technologists rated the provision of library facilities and resources at their work place to be satisfactory. It was discovered that an average technologist at LAUTECH had their information need met when using LAUTECH library. The information sources consulted by the respondents were textbooks and journals while internet, research data and encyclopedia were not consulted as expected. Public awareness as to what the library could offer were not adequately taken care of. It was recommended that the technologists should use internet facilities available in the virtual library for their research because it will improve cross fertilization of ideas among their colleagues all over the globe, while the library management is advised to create Current Awarness Service (CAS) to the staff and students in the university and encourage them to improve the numbers of materials resources available to allow user have adequate or easy access to their collections.