Abstract
This study assessed the use of library information resources by students with special needs in
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. It adopted a quantitative
research method. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The
study population comprises of 331 students in the Schools of Cerebral Disability (CBD),
Hearing Impairments (SHI), Learning Disabilities (SLD), Physical Impairments (SPH), Visual
Impairment (SVI) and Rehabilitation Education (SRE). Total enumeration was used due to the
manageable size of the population and the analysis was based on the 267 responses received.
The findings show that available types of library information resources were Assistive
technologies, textbooks, newspapers/Magazines, and e- resources like e-books, e-encyclopedias,
e-journals, etc. These were frequently used for the purpose of writing project, current
awareness/information, leisure and recreation, to pass examination, research findings,
assignment, lesson notes, employment searching purposes, to improve medical/health awareness,
etc. Factors hindering the use include physical accessibility, inadequate skills by users,
inadequate staff training, financial constraints, communication barriers, lack of assistive
technologies, etc. The study therefore recommended the provision of funds available to the
College and the library to ensure the inclusivity of service provision, acquisition of up-to-date
information resources, implementation of policies that encourage staff trainings/workshops and
conferences, better communication and approach and skills acquisition for betterservice delivery.
Key words: College Library, Library Information Resources, Use, Students with Special Needs.
Publication Date: 2024-05-15