The purpose of this study is to explore the undergraduates’ perception of the quality and value of library services offered to them in the 21st-century in federal universities in Southeast Nigeria. Prof. Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library (PFANL) in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was used as a case study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. From a population of 14,196 registered regular undergraduates’ users of the library, a sample of 120 was selected through an accidental sampling technique. From the 120 questionnaires distributed, 103 copies received were valid, 17 responses were either incomplete or not answered, and so, the efficient rate was 85.8 percent. The study employed the use of two instruments which include: observation checklist, used to ascertain the available library services, and a questionnaire used to elicit users’ perception of library service quality and value. The instruments were face validated by two experts in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The internal consistency of the instrument on library services used by the undergraduates was established using Kudder-Richardson which yielded 0.86 while Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for the undergraduates’ perception of quality and value of library services offered to them which yielded 0.78 and 0.81 respectively. Frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation using SPSS, were used to analyze data from research questions, t-test was used to test hypotheses. The major findings revealed that the undergraduates have a positive perception of the quality of library services offered to them at Prof. Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library (PFANL). However, they had a negative perception of the quality of computer/Internet services and reprographic services offered to them. This shows that these two services should immensely be improved upon in this 21st-century. The study equally shows that undergraduates have high value for library services offered to them. Nevertheless, they have low value on computer/internet services and reprographic services which are most needed in this 21st-century. The finding also revealed the host of impediments that affects high perception of library services quality and value in this 21st century at PFANL to include; insufficient current information resources, an unfriendly attitude of staff, slow internet connectivity, limited access, insufficient availability of modern facilities, insufficient training on technology use and unsteady power supply. The finding further revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean rating of males and female's perception of the quality and value of library service offered to them at PFANL. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the library management at PFANL should sustain undergraduates’ level of perceived library quality and value, and boost it by providing continuously, relevant and current information resources and services especially on the aspect of computer/Internet services and reprographic services suitable in this 21st-century.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between lecturers’ ability to identify the extent of information need, access information and utilization of digital library resources in Federal Universities, Southern Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Correlational research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 6,653 lecturers’ with a sample size of 665 selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Instruments for data collection were cognitive test and questionnaire used for utilization of digital library resources. Kuder–Richardson method was used to establish the internal reliability coefficient, yielding the score 0.77, 0.78, respectively, and Cronbach alpha for questionnaire yielding 0.81. Data collected were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. In testing the hypotheses, p-value was used to determine the level of significance at the 0.05 alpha level. Findings The results show low positive relationship between abilities to identify the extent of information, access information in the utilization of digital library resources. The hypotheses were rejected, indicating a positive relationship between abilities to identify extent of information need, access information and utilization of digital library resources. Originality/value The findings of this study provide novel facts that help to clarify existing uncertainties and ambiguity in the link between some elements of information literacy and the use of digital library resources in developing economies such as Nigeria.