Information behaviour and use of digital library resources among postgraduate students in selected universities in Oyo State, Nigeria

Digital library resources are critical to postgraduate students' academic and research success. However, the extent to which these resources are utilised depends largely on postgraduate students' information behaviour, including their ability to recognise information needs, search for relevant materials, evaluate sources, and apply the information effectively. This study investigates the relationship between information behaviour and the use of digital library resources among postgraduate students in two universities in Oyo State, Nigeria. The population comprised eleven thousand, five hundred and nine (11,509) postgraduate students from the University of Ibadan and Lead City University. A descriptive survey design was employed, involving 235 postgraduate students selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation. The findings reveal that students frequently use digital resources such as e- journals and e-books, primarily for research, academic learning, and assignments. The study also finds a significant correlation between students’ information behaviour and their use of digital library resources. Despite the availability of resources, challenges such as inadequate information literacy skills and infrastructural limitations persist. The study concludes that enhancing students' information behaviour through targeted digital literacy training and improving infrastructure can significantly boost their effective use of digital resources. Recommendations are made for universities to invest in user education, resource awareness campaigns, and improved digital infrastructure to support optimal use of digital library resources.