GENDER BASED DIFFERENCES IN THE UTILISATION OF OPEN ACCESS RESOURCES AMONG UNIVERSITY LIBRARY STAFF IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated gender-based differences in the utilization of Open Access (OA) resources by university library staff in Benue State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, the research encompassed a population of 249 library staff across selected universities. A total enumeration was employed to investigate the entire population and data were collected through structured questionnaires. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse data in answer to research questions while a one-way ANOVA was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed extensive use of a variety of OA resources, including journals, books, institutional and subject repositories, blogs, OPACs, emails, databases, theses, dissertations and e-magazines. This confirms the increasing relevance of OA resources in academic libraries, consistent with prior research, which identified accessibility, relevance and institutional support as major usage drivers. The study also identified significant gender differences in OA resource utilisation. Male staff predominantly used OA resources for research and scholarly communication while female staff tended to use them for instructional support and personal development. These patterns reflect findings who reported similar trends in university libraries in South Africa and Ghana. The study concludes that gender significantly influences how OA resources are accessed and applied in academic settings. It recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive training, improved institutional policies, equitable professional development opportunities and collaborative OA initiatives. These measures can foster balanced utilisation of OA resources and enhance the overall effectiveness of academic library services in the region.