STUDENTS’ DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS UTILISATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Deviant behaviour in the library is various unacceptable behaviour or activities that cause harm to individuals as well as the library community and a threat to library development. This study, therefore, examined students’ deviant behaviour towards the utilisation of library resources in university libraries in Ogun State. A multi–stage sampling technique was adopted to select respondents for the study. The first stage involved selecting a university per senatorial district using simple random sampling, while the final stage involved selecting 375 students from among 400 students at the selected universities using simple random sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the students on usefulness of library resources, types of deviant behaviours, causes and measures to curb various deviant behaviours in the library. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results on the major benefits of library resources identified by the students were, making studies effective (x= 3.51), undertaking assignments and projects easily (x=3.40), conducting research (x= 3.38) and preparing for examinations (x= 3.35). However, the major types of deviant behaviours identified by the students were mis-shelving of books (x= 2.57), withholding of information materials beyond due dates (x= 2.47), highlighting of texts with pen (x= 2.42) and library seat reservation (x= 2.36).The major causes of student’s deviant behaviour in the use of library resources in university libraries in Ogun State are high cost of books (x=2.69) , high demand of certain books (x=2.67) and selfishness on the part of students to hide library resources The study concluded that there was a manifestation of deviant behaviour in the use of library resources among students at the selected universities in Ogun State. The study recommended that libraries should create more awareness and counsel students about the dangerous effects of deviant behaviour in the use of library resources.