Relationship between library environment and use of libraries among students in polytechnics in selected states in South-South, Nigeria

This study was conducted to examine library environment as a predictor of the use of polytechnic libraries in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 9,531 students across six federal and state polytechnics in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria, while a sample of 336 students was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by two experts from the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, and reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha and a reliability co-efficient of 90 was obtained confirming the reliability of the instrument. Data generated were analysed using frequence, percentages, mean and linear regression). The findings revealed that environmental factors such as ventilation, temperature, furniture condition, cleanliness, internet connectivity, and operational issues all have significantly relationship with library usage among ploytechnic students in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria; that there is high extent of library resource usage among polytechnic students in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria (x̅ = 3.94); The regression analysis indicated a statistically significant but weak positive relationship (R = 0.176, p < 0.05) between library environment and students’ use of library resources. It was therefore concluded that although environmental factors account for a modest proportion of variation in usage, a conducive library environment significantly predicts students’ patronage of polytechnic libraries in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. The study recommends sustained infrastructural improvement and effective maintenance culture in polytechnic libraries.