Utilisation and impact of The Essential Electronic Agricultural Database (TEEAL) on library services in a Nigerian university of agriculture

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the utilisation of the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library database (TEEAL) at the University of Agriculture Library, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was by questionnaire following a purposive sampling technique. A total of 104 out 150 (69.3 per cent) responses were received and analysed.

Findings

Postgraduate and final year undergraduates are the major users of the TEEAL database. The study also revealed that though most of the users are computer literate, they still seek the assistance of library staff for database searching. The major constraints to the use of the TEEAL database include the high cost of printing of selected papers and the limited number of workstations.

Practical implications

The study recommends that the number of workstations be increased, the cost of printouts should be subsidised by the university and more library staff should be trained in ICT.

Originality/value

Offers recommendations to improve the accessibility of quality information for research in Nigerian universities.

Citation

Oduwole, A.A. and Sowole, A.O. (2006), "Utilisation and impact of The Essential Electronic Agricultural Database (TEEAL) on library services in a Nigerian university of agriculture", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330610669271