UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT’S ATTITUDES TOWARD THE USE OF ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NORTH WEST-NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated undergraduate students' attitudes toward the use of the Online Public

Access Catalogue (OPAC) in federal university libraries in the North West region of Nigeria.

Adopting a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected

through closed-ended questionnaires administered to 392 students across four universities with

operational OPAC systems. Findings indicate that a majority of undergraduate students use the

library OPAC daily, primarily to locate relevant materials for assignments, class presentations,

and research projects. The study further reveals that students generally possess a positive attitude

toward OPAC, perceiving it as a tool that enhances easy access to library resources and increases

their comfort in navigating information systems. Key factors facilitating OPAC usage included:

students’ information literacy skills, awareness of OPAC benefits, participation in library

orientation programs, the availability of multiple OPAC terminals, and support from library staff.

Based on these results, the study recommends increasing the number of computers at OPAC

terminals and implementing a mandatory library user guide for incoming undergraduates, to be

introduced during library registration, to improve OPAC literacy and effective use.