AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INTERNET RESOURCES BY STUDENTS OF SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND APPLIED SCIENCE (SIAS) AT THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE OWERRI

1.0 Background of the Study

The internet is the fusion of two words which when separated give Network” and “international” that is why the internet is said to deal with the interconnection of computers, linked by a modern and for varied purposes (Amadi, Nnadozie and ossaionah, 2011)

Pre-Internet Era

Before the emergent of computers that gave birth to the internet, various attempts had been made as to fast track the sending and receiving of information and with easy access to information. Such attempts were evident in the use of the following

1. Emissaries to deliver messages
2. Town criers
3. High top fire 9orakpor, 2007

This primitive methods had their own problems. At least the emissaries and town cries hand to walk long distances to deliver messages. There were modifications in the method of information storage and delivery way-back-the invention of the ANALYTICAL ENGINE by professor Babbage. It was during the world war II that the idea of Babbage was put into practice, which culminated into what we now know as computer: credit to the following

1. Allan Turing
2. John von Neuman
3. Claude Shanon

The need for speedy access to information let to the interconnection of computer to get the international (Amadi, 2007)

Origin of the Internet

One legend holds that the intrnet is the modified version of computer connection called the ARPANET (Advance Research Proejct Agency Net). It was invented in America and used between the defence department and the research institutes in exchanging information during, the cold war between union of soviet socialist republic (USSR0 and America).

The, it was sponsored by the defeat of union of soviet socialist republic and the disintegration of its component countries, the gonerment stopped its funding: the academic institutions and business organization, picked up its founding and thereafter changed the name from ARPANET to intrnet. (Ibegwam, 2002).

Uses of the Intent

During the early use, the internet had limited use; but the invention of the world wide web (www) has increased the utilitarian values of the internet. In view of this, the internet is now used by various professionals. With the Homepage /website, information is loaded on the net.

Although it is used by varied professional, its use is pronounced in the academic circle. Students and lecturers resort to it for information. There are lot of information resources on the internet that meet the needs of scholars and the teaching staff (agbaie, 2002).

It can be used in the following ways: sending messages

1. Chart
2. Discuss with colleagues and friends
3. Advertisement and marketing of business information
4. Downloading material for projects, thesis, term papers and so on.

Among the problems of the internet are:

1. Weather changes
2. Contain some obscene publications
3. Sites close every now and then.

Today, internet resources and available at all nooks and crannies of our contemporary institutions of higher learnings (NYEKO 1999).

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1.2 Statement of Problem

The writing of thesis, assignments, dissertation and search for information. Among the sources of information is the internet. This is because of the varied information retrieval from the internet.

Though the paper materials like journals are there, there is much reliance on the use of the internet. Hitherto, the availability of internet resources has not been empirically verified. Again, the degree of the use and dependency on internet resources has also, not been verified.

The effects of internet resources availability on scholars is yet to be empirically verified. It is in view of the above that the research is proposed, to ascertion the relationship between availability and the use of internet resources and to profer solution(s) where necessary.

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1.3 Objectives of the Study

The research intends to achieve the following objectives.

1. To ascertain whether or not, internet resources are available in the institution.
2. The types of internet resources where available
3. The relevance of internet resources to the scholars
4. Problems associated with the use of internet

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1.4 Research Questions

The research intends to answers the following questions:

1. Are internet resources available in the department?
2. What are the types of internet resources available?
3. What are the relevance of the internet resources in the department?
4. Are the problems associated with the use of internet resources?
5. Are there well trained staff to assist?
6. Is there internet facilities available in the department?

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1.5 Scope of the Study

The study is on the title, “Availability and Utilization” of Internet resources by the students of school of Industrial and Applied Science. It strictly centers on the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.

The study will focus on what the internet is the type(s) of internet resources that are available in the department, the relevance of the internet resources and the problems associated with the use of the internet resources. More so, the research will prefer solution to identified problems associated with the utilization of internet resources.

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1.6 Significance of the Study

The research work which is on the availability and utilization of internet resources I the department of library and information science, would produce research outcomes. These outcomes would be of relevance in the following ways.

1. It will reveal the available internet resources in the department to the students.
2. It will also add to the ever increase literature on the topic under study which can serve as ready reference tool.

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1.7 Background of Information

On the department of library and information sciences as a case study in Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri.

Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri was initially established as the college of technology, Owerri by edict no 16 dated 1st April 1978 and was renamed in 1987, it was to the polytechnic by Imo State Government.

Pre institution was taken over by the Federal government in April 1993 and is now governed by Federal Polytechnic Act to perform the following functions:

1. To provide full-time or part-time course of instruction and training.
2. In technology, applied science, coercer and management
3. In such other fields of applied learning relevant to the needs and agricultural production and distribution an for research in the development and adaptation of techniques as the council may from tim to time determine
4. To arrange conferences, seminar an study groups relative to the friends of learning specified in paragraph
5. of this subsection (i);
6. To perform such function as in the opinion f council may serve to promote the objective of the Polytechnic

The Department

The department of Library and Information Sconces college of Technology now Federal Polytechnic Nekede (hereafter referred to as Nekede library school) is the older of the two library schools in Imo State. As observed by Marcc (1977) schools are inevitable in a critically complex occupation as the most efficient way to transmit the tricks and concepts of the work to beginners. This assertion, party accounts for the establishment of library schools in different places. However, while educators and institutions in other parts of Nigeria were literally re-inventing the wheel by concentrating on university —based library schools Imo state was quietly perfecting plans for the establishment off a non-university-based library school.

From Okpa-iroha's (2006) account, thislibrary school was established in 1979 at then college off technology, Nekede — — — at the outskirts of Owerri the capital of Imo State. However, the first set of students was admitted in the 1980/1981) unarguably the father of Polytechnic based library education in Nigeria, made a formal application for Polytechnics in the country of offer library science at National Diploma and Higher doctrinal Board for Technical Education (NBTE) titled. A case for the running of library and information science progrmmes in the Polytechnic system of Education in Nigeria. The uniqueness of the Nekede library school was captured by Nzotta 91984) who described it fittingly as “the first one to be established outside the aegis of a university.

It is therefore an underiable historical fact that while the leadings lights in Nigerian library practice and education were engrossed I a heated debated about the issues of library leaders and workers, undergraduate or postgraduate library education and the superiority of the programmes of existing library schools, the authorities of the college of technology in Imo State provided the resources, faciltieis and personnel required to put the suitability and practicability of a non-univeristy-based library school to test. This singular decision, which has radically altered the course of library education in Nigeria for the better is noteworthy and commendable. I therefore seize this opportunity to salute the vision and courage of elder dwokocha Okpa-iroha, the man who initiated designed and introduced the teaching of library and information science in Polytchnic system in Nigeria. As focused trailblazers, the promoters of the Nekede library school were conscious of the skepticisms that trailed their new experiment in polytechnic-based library education.

In addition, there was the need to provide products of this novel library school opportunity for further education and career growth. This emboldened the indefatigable elder Okpa-iroha, ably supported by his faculty colleagues and further two year High National Diploma (HND) in library science. Graduate of the National diploma (ND) are eligible to enroll into the HND programme after a mandatory 12 months interlude of internship in libraries or allied information institutions. This maiden ND and HND programmes in library science were accredited in the 1985 /1986 academic session following a successful defence of the proposal beore the NBTE and other relevant authorities. Undoubtedly the programmes of the Nekede library school have enabled several people to acquire education and training in library and information science.

The library school has also contributed immensely to the production of middle level manpower requirements of Nigeria libraries, archives museums and allied information institutions. Such successes provided the motivation for the introduction of further programme in the library school. An evening programme for the award of National Diploma (ND) in library and information science commence at the Nekede library school in 1993/ 1994 academic session. This programme has a duration of three years and the products are eligible for admission intro the regular HND programme. The difference between this progrmame and the certificate programme in library and information science is that candidates need not have previous library experience. Besides, it last for 3 years and lecturer commence by 4pm on week days.

The certificate course in library and information science of he Nekede library school commence in the 1994/1995 academic year. Unlike the ND evening programme discussed above, the certificate course was meant for those already working in libraries and allied institutions. in the words of Amadi (2006) the certificate programme was designed to help low-level staff like attendants and assistants to advance in their career ladder. The opportunities for the acquisition of library education in Imo State was widened further in 1999/2000 academic session when the Nekede library school introduced a lyear pre-National Diploma in library and information science. This programme was meant to prepare holders of school certificate with deficiencies in relevant subjects for admission into the National Diploma in library science.

However, the following academic session this programmed was transferred to the Department of pre-national Diploma (science option). This makes all pre-nD students who opted for science subjects eligible for admission into the institution's ND in library and Information science (Amade, 2006)

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1.8 Definition of Operation Basic Concepts

Availability:

It is a state in which something can be seen and used.

Internet:

It is an international computer network of information made available to the public through modern links.

Utilization:

To use something, or make use of especially in this study for information purposes.

Resources:

In this study, it refers to something that can be used to help active an aim especially a book or other materials to provide information for teachers and students.