AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIBRARY(NSPRI)

Abstract

The management of the library of NSPRI, a post harvest research institute allowed both internal and external users to access the information resources in the library. The usage of the library by five hundred and thirty (530) external users and their perception of the operation of the library from the year 2001-2005 was x-rayed in this write-up. The external users were mainly from tertiary institutions around the city. However, some of the users came from a distance that is over 1000 kilometres to the location of the library. This shows that distance is not a barrier to information seekers. The study revealed that students from the University of Ilorin consistently dominated the usage of the library and that literatures relating to agricultural crops, presently being boosted for increase in production by the Nigerian government were consulted most. Recommendations were made towards improving the services of the library and making it more conducive for use,so that users can continue to benefit from the collections and the Institute shall through that continue to contribute to reduction of post harvest loss of agricultural crops in Nigeria.