INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON USERS’ PATRONAGE OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

The study examined the influence of social media use on effective library patronage in public universities in Akwa Ibom State. Two specific objectives, two research questions, and null hypotheses were stated to guide the study.  An ex post facto research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study was 1,875 registered library users from public University libraries in Akwa Ibom State. Proportionate sampling was used to draw 562 registered library users for the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire titled “Social Media and Effective Patronage of Questionnaire” (SMEPQ). Face validation was carried out by three experts, and a trial test method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Cronbach's Alpha statistic was used to obtain the reliability coefficient value of 0.86. Regression analysis was used to answer the research questions and to test all the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Findings of the study showed that Facebook and YouTube have a low significance and no positive influence on effective patronage of libraries in public universities in Akwa Ibom State. It was recommended, among other things, that public university libraries should make their presence felt on Facebook and YouTube to enhance and optimise patronage by users.