Electronic journals in Nigerian university libraries: the present situation and future possibilities

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on research that examined the issues of e‐journal subscription, subscription models and the future of print version of journals in Nigerian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey study was used to collect data from the selected 30 universities that covered the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The questionnaire contained questions that are pertinent to the issues being investigated. The 22 responses (73.3 percent) received were processed, analyzed and results presented.

Findings

The study reveals that Nigerian universities subscribe to e‐journals, i.e. full‐text journals. They employ acceptable models for subscriptions, however, they use consortium more than any other model. Most libraries want to retain print format.

Research limitations/implications

While the study is limited to 22 university libraries, it has applications to similar universities across Nigeria, be they public or private.

Practical implications

This research provides information on the status of subscription to e‐journals in Nigerian libraries methods, and policy issues. The data and findings may help provide ways to manage e‐journals better in Nigerian libraries to serve user needs.

Originality/value

At the time of the completion of this study no such work had been done before in Nigeria.

Citation

Olorunsola, R. and Adeleke, A.A. (2011), "Electronic journals in Nigerian university libraries: the present situation and future possibilities", Library Review, Vol. 60 No. 7, pp. 588-598. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531111153605