Abstract
This study investigated library environment conduciveness and usage of polytechnic
libraries among students in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. The research adopted the
survey research design. The population of the study is 9,531 students from six Federal
and State Polytechnics across Delta and Edo States. The sample of 336 respondents
was drawn from the total population using simple random sampling techniques.
Questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data from the respondents. The data
obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive (percentages, mean
and standard deviation) with mean placed at 3.0 and inferential statistics. The study
found that various environmental factors, including lighting, atmospheric conditions
such as, temperature and humidity, reading space, cleanliness, resource deterioration,
internet connectivity, and operational issues, significantly affect the usage of library
resources in polytechnics. The study also found that students in polytechnics
perceived that the extent of their polytechnic library environment conduciveness is
high. The study further found that extent of the use of library in polytechnics in Delta
and Edo States is high and that library environment conduciveness significantly
predict students use of library resources in polytechnics. Consequently, the study
recommends that polytechnic authorities should prioritize improving environmental
factors such as lighting, atmosphere, temperature, and cleanliness within library
spaces and that polytechnics should continue to foster information literacy among
students through targeted programmes and workshops among others.
Keywords: Library Environment, Conduciveness, Library Usage, Polytechnics,
Polytechnic Libraries.
Publication Date: 2025-05-01