Introduction

University libraries have always been described as the heartbeat of their universities and this is because they serve as hub for all academic activities in the university. Popoola and Akande (2009) opined that the library is a component part of the history of civilization and it has a responsibility to its immediate enviroonment, hence, the basic philosophy of the university library is based on the concept of service and the provision of relevant information materials for users (Asiru, 2003). These relevant materials include books, journals, documents, eresources and audio-visual materials. Libraries are often referred to as growing organism; this growth can only be seen in terms of materials, staff and users. The population of users therefore, must be taken into consideration so that the library will be guided while making decision about collection development for scholarship, provision of other learning resources and facilities such as furniture and other equipment.

Users' registration is thus, the only way to determine the users' population in real time. User registration therefore, is the process of establishing a data bank of information about library users. This information is often very useful when a user wants to make use of library materials outside the library or requesting for inter-library services. Users' registration in university libraries is restricted to the groups of people for whom the libraries were established, however, it can be extended to other external users who may want to use the library for a specific period of time.

Background Information

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is one of the three specialised universities of agriculture in Nigeria. The University was established in 1988 and started with six colleges. Presently, there are ten colleges in the University and these are, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), College of Engineering (COLENG) College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM) College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) and College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET). College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUCS), College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), College of Management Science (COLMAS), College of Biological Sciences (COLBIOS) and College of Physical Science (COLPHYS). The last two colleges used to be known as College of Natural Science (COLNAS) until September 2014 when it was split into two. The University Library was named after the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University in person of Professor Nimbe Adedipe.

Users' Registration at Nimbe Adedipe Library, Federal University of Agricuture, Abeokuta.

The potential users of 'Nimbe Adedipe Library are required to register at the library's circulation desk before being permitted to use the library. Fresh students are to produce admission letters and evidence of payment of school fees while the returning students are to produce their identification card including receipt of payment of school fees to the circulation staff before their registration is processed. The library identity cards are later issued free of charge to registered students. Afterwards the library identity card must be presented to the library porters each time a student decides to use the library or borrow out some books or other materials.

This card is not transferable and must be presented on demand by any library staff. It is mandatory for the returning students to renew their library identity card every year until they graduate from the university. On the other hand, graduating students must submit their library identity card during their final clearance in the university. This is to make sure that there is no book or any other library material in their possession. Failure to do this may result in the student not being given his/her certificate.

Statement of the Problem

It has been observed over the years that with the increase in the number of colleges, coupled with the increasing population of students, the number of undergraduate students who registered with the library was very low compared to the number of students enrolled in the University; as reflected in the University students' enrolment list. This therefore, calls for concern and needed to be examined because a library that is not use cannot justify its existence and the prerequisite of using the library is to register with the library. It is against this background that the researchers set out to assess the library registration among the undergraduate students.

Objectives of the Study

The primary objectives of this study are to:

a) examine why students register or not register with the library

b) find out the problems militating against students' registration with the library

c) determine the difference in the rate of library registration between fresh and returning students; and

d) find out which college has the highest percentage of registered students in the library Literature Review

The place of libraries in the university community as an indispensable part of the system have been emphasised by scholars. Oyedun and Nwalo (2011) noted that undergraduate students need to use the libraries of their universities more as this would, in turn, assist the students to gain mastery of their subjects of specialization, and enable the universities to achieve their core function of promoting learning and knowledge. Onwubiko (2005), Mbashir and Adeoti (2008), Nkosi, Leach and Hoskin (2011) and Adegun et al, (2015) have all described the library as the power house of a university. It is often said that a university is as good as its library. University libraries therefore, do invest heavily in acquiring resources to meet the intellectual needs of their users and communities.

However, acquiring resources is only one aspect of the game while utilization is another thing entirely. In fact the use of library resources is one of the deepest concerns of a library because it is the users that make a library to be active. Corroborating this, Abiolu (2010) confirmed that it is the use to which the library is put that infuses life into its resources and services. Consequently, Edem, Ani, and Ocheibi (2009) posited that libraries should ensure that students have effective and efficient access to their resources, but the question is how can students assess the library resources without identifying with the library? This can only be done through registering with their library. Substantiating this fact, Nwezeh (2010) claimed that books have become so expensive that they are beyond the reach of most Nigerian students, therefore, students have to solely depend on what library can offer them and the opportunity to use these library materials can only be enjoyed if students are duly registered with their libraries.

A lot of studies have been done on the utilisation of library and its' resources whereas few studies only sometimes mentioned the aspect of library registration in passing. Obadare (2014) for instance, examined the present sources of income in two academic libraries and found out that registration of users can serve as other sources of income which could fetched the libraries a lot of money to keep them afloat. Adebowale (2013) on the other hand considered the activities that make up circulation of library materials and discussed the processes and procedures for the registration of library clientele and other circulation activities. These studies therefore, only saw the library registration as a means to an end Itedjere (2005) also examined registration of users as a revenue generating source and discovered that despite the fact that not all students registered to use the library or pay the stipulated registration fee, the registration mechanism still help the library to generate some income. A more recent study by Vera and Edore (2015) evaluated the adoption of KOHA Integrated Library System for library online registration at the University of Jos and find out that KOHA was selected to provide a solution to challenges often faced by the staff involved in the registration processes. None of these studies actually examine the challenges faced by students in registering with their university libraries.

However, an earlier study by Doek (1995) who studied membership registration procedures in four public libraries in Netherlands outline the challenges often facing the students in library registration. The study revealed that staff often failed to explain fully all library procedures to students and this often affect students' registration with the library. Since students' registration is fundamental to the use of library in most university settings, it is important to ensure that a larger percentage of students register because this will grant them access to the resources that have been carefully selected for them. This will in turn make them better students who would be able to stand out academically. Methodology

A descriptive survey method was used for this study. The survey was carried out during the lectures free period towards the end of the first semester of 2014/2015 academic session in August 2015. A self-designed questionnaire was used to obtain data for the study. Observation was also made on the University records of students' enrolment list and library statistical record to complement the data. 250 copies of the questionnaire were randomly distributed at the students' centre on campus out of which 224 copies were duly completed and used for the study. The response rate was 89.6% and was distributed as thus; 105 (42%) returning students and 119 (47.6%) fresh undergraduate students.

Findings

The respondents were asked to give reasons for registering with the library; their responses were presented in Table 1

The result of the study as represented in table 1 clearly shows that majority of the respondents 42.13% registered with the library so that they can make use of the library to read for examination and work on their assignments. 35.95% registered so that they could enjoy loan service and 15.17% (who are mainly returning students) registered so that they will not have problem with their library clearance at the end of their programs. 6.74% registered because they felt it is compulsory. This shows a similarity with Adelani, (1998) study on the use of library among the sandwich students in a college of education where majority of them saw the library as an extension of their classrooms where they can read and work on their assignments as opposed to the role of the library as the power house for self-discovery and self-development.

The respondents were also asked to give reasons why they did not register with the library and these were presented in Table II

According to data presented in table II, 45.65%, of the respondents did not register with the library because they felt they have personal text books. This group of students assumed that their lecture notes and personal textbooks were enough for them therefore; they felt it is not necessary for them to register with the library. This reflected the nonchalant attitude of some students who usually rely absolutely on their lecturers' notes and knowledge. 30.43% of the respondents indicated that the registration procedures were too cumbersome; hence, they were afraid of going through it, while 19.56% did not see registering with the library as compulsory. 4.35% of the respondents revealed that they did not register with the library because the library was too noisy for them. Looking at this result, it is necessary for the library to have a clear policy on students' registration and this should be communicated to students during the students' orientation. The registration procedure also needed to be reviewed and the process should be made easier for students to accomplish.

Furthermore, the respondents were asked to mention the challenges they encounter during library registration their replies were shown in table III

The result in table III revealed that 37.5% of the respondents stated that the library registration time clashes with their lecture time and this did not give them opportunity of registering with the library. 30.4% of the respondents indicated that the registration time was too short, while 20.9% of the respondents showed that they were not aware that library registration was compulsory for students. On the issue of shortage of time probably the students did not know that library registration is open to students throughout the session. 7.2% of the respondents indicated that registration procedures are too many while 4.0% of the respondents stated that the delay in getting their laminated library pass was a challenge to them. In order to overcome these challenges just like Minkel (2001) suggested in his study, the library should consider automating students' registration so that users can register online at their own convenience. This can even make the work of circulation staff less cumbersome by letting the computer do the time-consuming work of registration and record keeping of users.

Another instrument used in this study was observation, the result of this was presented in table IV and V

The data from the above table showed that the rate at which fresh undergraduate students register with the library was very high. This may be due to the excitement of being part of the university system and therefore, they make sure that they do all the necessary things required of them and these include registering with the library. The data also revealed that the College of Management Sciences had the highest percentage of fresh undergraduate students with 96.4% registered students within the period of five years covered by this study. The College of Engineering came second with 94.3% of registered students while the least percentage of registered students came from the College of Environmental Science with 64% of registered students. However, the overall percentage of fresh undergraduate students who registered with the library for the period covered by this study was 80.1% and this is really encouraging.

Unlike the fresh undergraduate students Table V revealed that the rate at which returning undergraduate students register with the library was very low. This was not encouraging at all because the overall percentage of those who registered with the library for the period under consideration was below average which is 37.8%. However, the College of Management

Studies still had the highest percentage of students who registered with the library with 46.3%, followed by the College of Engineering with 45.4% of registered students, while the least percentage of registered students was from the College of Plant Science with 29.4%.

The result was not encouraging at all because one would have expected that the returning students should have been mature enough to appreciate the importance of the library and also the consequence of not registering with university library. Furthermore it is expected that lecturers should be able to lead their students back to the library through class assignments that require the use of library and if students do not register with the library how can they use it? It is also amazing that the highest percentage of registered students came from among the least populated colleges in the University knowing that the College of Management Studies was relatively new being established in 2011 and the College of Engineering Sciences usually do have fewer students.

Discussion

The study revealed that fresh undergraduate students registered more with the library than the returning undergraduate students. In fact there is a wide gap between the fresh and returning undergraduate students' registration with the University library. This is really worrisome because according to Roseroka (1999) cited in Ijirigho (2009) the library should be seen as an intellectual common where many forms of information could be accessed, utilised and manipulated but the reversed is the case, as the majority of the respondents only see the library as a place where they can just read their notes and do assignments. Fernandez-Villavicencio (2010) pointed out that students should be made to realise that acquiring knowledge and information has a permanent strategic value and not just temporary and transitory value for passing examination. Therefore, if students do not register with the library how would they use the information resources that have been acquired and carefully developed for them? This implies that they will be missing out vita information that could have made them better students.

On the issue of students who felt they had enough books to carry them through their study, the library still has a lot to do to sensitise them and make them understand that the University library exists in order to service their information needs. They must be made to realise that a well-stocked and organised library is more useful than the internet because materials on the internet are varied and unorganised while a library acquires scholarly material based on their users' need. These materials usually do cause the library some fortune to acquire and no student could be so rich to the extent that he/she will be able to acquire all his/her books and other information resources.

The University library will also need to work with the lecturers so that they would know how to lead their students back to the library by giving them research oriented assignments. In supporting this, Onifade (2012) postulated that excellent as the lecturer/student relationship may be, it has failed if the lecturer has not taught his/her students to depend on themselves and this can only be done through the use of the library.

Although the percentage of respondents that indicated noise as their deterrent was minimal, nevertheless, it is also important for the library to find a way of making the atmosphere more conducive for study. Crumpton (2007) noted that noise in the library can cause a huge distraction for those who see the library as their santuary for quite study and review of resources. It is therefore, necessary that the level of noise in the library should be controlled and users should be educated as to why they needed to maintain silence and respect the rights of others

The era of technology has brought a lot of change to how libraries operate these days. It is thus, expected that our users should be able to get fast and quality services from the library, as a result, the library registration procedure should be reviewed and automated so that the users would be able to register anywhere without necessarily getting to the library through the networking of a computer. If the University Library can automate students' registration there will be no excuse for students not being registered with the library since this will be done online and the issue of clashes of time will be remove permanently.

Conclusion

Despite, the fact that the University Library is making all effort to satisfy the needs of its users, the patronage is still very low compare to the number of students' enrolment in the University. The attitude of returning undergraduate students to library registration is not encouraging because one would have expected that they should have known the importance of library as a knowledge hub than just a reading room. One expects that as they progress in their studies their usage of the library should improve and higher percentage of registered students should have come from them. However, the reverse is the case, hence, a lot of awareness programmes need to be done by the library to attract students back to the library.

Recommendation

In view of the above, the following recommendations are made to improve the rate of students' registration with library

1. The library should create more awareness for the students to let them know the importance of the library to their academic pursue

2. The library should work with the colleges to lead students back to the library through research oriented assignments. Also through collaboration with the lecturers, the librarians should comply reading list for each College

3. Library stock should be evaluated to see if it is serving its users and community. In addition to this the library environment should be made inviting and the level of noise should be controlled to make the library conducive for studying.

4. The library registration procedure should be review with the intention of making it electronic so that it will be very easy for students to register without necessarily coming to the library.

References:

(1.) Abiolu, O A (2010) Library Resources and Service Utilisation by Undergraduate Students: A Case Study of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Gateway Library Journal 13(1) 1-10

(2.) Adebowale, T O (2013): Circulation activities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria: a discourse on circulation transactions of Yaba College of Technology Library. Information and Knowledge Management. 3(4) www.researchgate.net/publication/

(3.) Adegun, A O, Oyewumi, O O, Oladapo, Y et al (2015). Effectiveness of Library Service and Resources in a African University. Information and Knowledge Management, 5(3), 54-59.

(4.) Adelani, F (1998) Library use and sandwich students in a College of Education. Gateway Library Journal

(5.) Asiru, S M (2003): Trends in borrowing of library materials among Oyo State College of Education (OYSCOED) students. Gateway Library Journal. 6(2), 106-112.

(6.) Crumpton, M (2007). Sounding off about noise. Community and Junior College Libraries, 89-99

(7.) Doek, A (1995): Privacy, efficient service and personal commitment: membership registration procedures in public libraries. Bibliotheck en Samenleving vol. 23(4) pp. 10-12

(8.) Edem, N, Ani, O, Ocheibi, J.A (2009) Students' perceived effectiveness in the use of library resources in Nigerian universities. Educational Research and Reviews 4(6) 322-326

(9.) Fernandez-Villavicencio, N G (2010). Helping students become literate in a digital, networking-based society: a literature review and discussion. The International Information and Library Review, 42, 124-136.

(10.) Ijirigho M, 2009. "Faculty Expectation of Libraries; a Comparative Study of Covenant University and the University of Lagos" Library Philosophy and Practises

(11.) Itedjere, A.O. (2005): Charging for registration at the Delta State university library. The bottom line: Managing library finances. 18(4) 180-184.

(12.) Mbashir, A L and Adeoti, V F (2008). The Usage of Library by Faculty Staff: Kogi state University, anyigba in Perspective. Nigerian Libraries, 41, 41-54.

(13.) Nkosi, D, Athol, L and Hoskins, R (2011). Knowledge and use of library resources by academic staff at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg (UKZNP) Campus. Innovation, Journal of Appropriate Librarianship and Information Work in Sourthern Africa, 54-78.

(14.) Nwezeh, C.M.T (2010) Undergraduate library instruction in Nigerian universities: a case study of Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice www.webpage.uidaho.edu/mbohn/nwezeh4.htm

(15.) Minkel, W (2001): Get with the program. School Library Journal. 47(7) 27

(16.) Obadare, S O (2014): Alternative Funding of Academic Libraries in Nigeria: case study of Hezekiah Oluwasanmi library, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Wusto library, Wesley university of Science and Technology, Ondo. Global Advanced Research Journal of Educational Research and Review. 4(2) 20-28

(17.) Onifade, G O (2012). The use of library and academic culture expected of fresh students. A Paper presentered at the orientation programme of 100 level students of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe.

(18.) Onwubiko, M C (2005) Use of University Resources by Sandwich Students of Abia State University, Uturu, Gateway Library Journal, 8(1&2), 42-49

(19.) Oyedun, G and Nwalo, K I N (2011): Perceptions by undergraduate students of the environmental conditions and resources availability in selected university libraries in Nigeria. African journal of Library, Archives and Information Science Vol. 21(1) pp 73-84.

(20.) Popoola, S O and Akande, S O (2009). Demographic Variables as Predictors of Library Personnel's Perception of preservation of Information Resources in Nigerian Federal University Librararies. Gateway Library Journal, 12(2), 1-13.

(21.) Vera, A N and Edore, A T (2015): Assessment and evaluation of KOHA ILS for Online Library Registration at University of Jos, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Computer and Information System. Vol.3(1)

Fehintola N Onifade (PhD)

+2348034010557

fnonifade@funaab.edu.ng

Adeniyi Sowole

+2348136740458

niyisowole63@gmail.com

Taiwo A Idowu

+2348033431363

taiwoaderonkeidowu@gmail.com

Nimbe Adedipe Library

Federal University of Agriculture,

Abeokuta, Nigeria

Fehintola Nike Onifade

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, onifadefn@funaab.edu.ng

Adeniyi Sowole

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, niyisowole63@yahoo.com

Taiwo Aderonke Idowu

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, taiwoaderonkeidowu@gmail.com

Table I: Reasons Why Students Registered with the Library N =178

Reasons                               Frequency   Percentage%

To borrow books                       64          35.95
To read for examination and work on   75          42.13
assignment
Not to have problem with clearance    27          15.17
Because it is compulsory              12           6.74
                                      178         100

Table II

Reasons Why Students did not Register with the Library. N=46

Reasons                                      Frequency   Percentage%

I have personal books                        21          45.65
Library is too noisy                         2           4.35
Registration procedures are too cumbersome   14          30.43
It is not compulsory                         9           19.56
                                             46          100

Table III: Challenges Confronting Students Registration. N=224

Problems                                      Frequency   Percentage%

Registration time is too short                68          30.4
Registration time clashes with lecture time   84          37.5
Registration procedures are too many          16          7.2
Delay in getting the library pass             9           4.0
Lack of awareness on library registration     47          20.9
                                              224         100

Table IV: Rate of Fresh Undergraduate Students' Registration with the
Library

           2009/2010            2010/2011

Colleges   NE     NRL    %      NE     NRL    %

COLAMRUD   176    125    71     278    219    78.8
COLPHEC    229    213    93.0   323    307    95.0
COLANIM    426    366    86     450    296    65.8
COLNAS     646    370    57.3   642    477    74.3
COLPLANT   455    335    73.6   407    386    95
COLENG     119    106    89.1   125    102    81.6
COLMAS     --     --     --     --     --     --
COLERM     328    153    46.6   296    229    77.4
COLVET     30     21     70     33     26     78.8
Total      2409   1689   70.1   2547   2042   80.2

           2011/2012            2012/2013

Colleges   NE     NRL    %      NE     NRL    %

COLAMRUD   261    223    85.4   286    261    91.3
COLPHEC    291    195    67.0   274    216    78.8
COLANIM    499    355    71.1   492    395    80.3
COLNAS     653    554    85     659    595    90.3
COLPLANT   454    320    70.5   449    326    73
COLENG     203    196    97     181    177    97.8
COLMAS     506    493    97.4   619    593    95.8
COLERM     363    225    61.9   338    238    70.4
COLVET     38     30     78.9   42     37     88.1
Total      3268   2591   79.3   3340   2838   84.9

           2013/2014

Colleges   NE     NRL    %      OP

COLAMRUD   242    222    91.7   84.5
COLPHEC    267    230    86.1   84
COLANIM    375    296    78.9   76.2
COLNAS     598    486    81.3   77.6
COLPLANT   346    277    80.1   77.9
COLENG     147    143    97.3   93.4
COLMAS     508    489    96.3   96.4
COLERM     328    213    64.9   64
COLVET     33     30     90.9   81.8
Total      2844   2386   83.9   80.1

Source: Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Student Enrolment
List and Library Registration Statistics

Note: NE means number of students enrolled in the college per session.

NRL means number of students who registered with the library for the
session.

OP means overall percentage of students that registered from each
college for five year period.

Table V: Rate of Registration of Returning Undergraduate Students
2009-2014

           2009/2010            2010/2011

COLLEGES   NE     NRL    %      NE     NRL    %

COLAMRUD   643    292    45.4   680    176    25.9
COLFHEC    694    284    40.9   744    219    29.4
COLANIM    1209   360    29.8   377    249    66
COLENG     345    124    35.9   411    212    51.6
COLERM     838    262    31.3   960    354    36.9
COLNAS     1827   841    46.0   2008   750    37.4
COLPLANT   1246   384    30.8   1387   279    20.1
COLVET     131    41     31.3   128    50     39.1
COLMAS     --     --            --     --     --
TOTAL      6933   2588   37.3   6695   2289   34.2

           2011/2012            2012/2013

COLLEGES   NE     NRL    %      NE      NRL    %

COLAMRUD   816    185    22.7   958     380    39.7
COLFHEC    938    239    25.5   1059    569    53.7
COLANIM    1648   250    15.2   1827    659    36.1
COLENG     464    225    48.5   575     316    54.9
COLERM     1043   359    34.4   1271    593    46.7
COLNAS     2191   780    35.6   2053    956    46.6
COLPLANT   1579   383    17.6   1667    564    35.7
COLVET     132    56     42.4   149     65     43.6
COLMAS     506    235    46.4   543     257    47.3
TOTAL      9317   2712   29.1   10102   4359   43.1

           2013/2014             PPA

COLLEGES   NE      NRL    %      %

COLAMRUD   1074    351    32.7   33.2
COLFHEC    1030    600    58.3   42.8
COLANIM    1970    644    32.7   32.6
COLENG     703     256    36.4   45.4
COLERM     1374    627    45.6   40.1
COLNAS     2101    1147   54.6   43.9
COLPLANT   1835    655    35.7   29.4
COLVET     171     63     36.8   36.7
COLMAS     1207    554    45.9   46.3
TOTAL      11465   4897   42.7   37.8