International Journal of Library Science 2019, 8(1): 7-17 DOI: 10.5923/j.library.20190801.02 Environmental-Friendly Customer Relation Approaches to Resolving Low Patronage in Academic Libraries: Perspective and Preferences of Student-Users Williams T. Saibakumo 1,* , Flora Orewa 2 , Lawrence O. Nwose 3 1 Cataloguing and Classification Section, University Library, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria 2 Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Delta State, Nigeria 3 Polytechnic Library, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, Delta State, Nigeria Abstract Purpose: Customer relation (CR) services in universities libraries are not as productive as expected especially with the advent of technology in Nigeria. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine levels of impact of some newly adoptable and available CR approaches that could possibly facilitate students’ patronage in academic libraries in Nigeria in this technology age from the opinion of students. Methodology: The descriptive survey design was adopted using 320 randomly selected student-users of academic library. A semi self-structured and interview-based constructed questionnaire was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to draw inferences, interpret data and discuss the perspectives of the students. Findings: Time, space, lack of manpower and low levels of satisfactions were observed in the academic libraries to pose a threat to its patronage by students while the use of social media platform, creation of dynamic interactive websites, extension of library open hours, hybridization of the traditional library, e-library and internet, the use of rapid response feedback system and e-mailing services for student inquiry and queries can resolve the low patronage experienced by academic libraries in the technology age. There is the possibility of reaching out to a larger population of student patrons through the provision of a call centre, an interactive dynamic and remote access to library repository. Creating or increasing awareness on services offered in the libraries, marketing products and services can potentially attract more patronage from other users and co-operate bodies by 3%. Research Limitation: The paper sourced information from the immediate environment of the authors which is a single state and its findings and discussion are addressed within the confines of the scope covered, thus cannot be used to generalise in terms of conclusions for other areas uncovered. Social/Practical Implications: Considering the adoption of these new approaches will productively improve academic library performance and patronage where students are the dominant patrons. Originality: The paper x-rays the perspective of student users of academic libraries in Delta State on certain new approaches that have been advocated for by some librarians and tried to ascertain the extent to which this can be of use to them. Keywords Library patronage, Customer-friendly approach, Academic libraries, Students-perspective, Nigeria 1. Introduction In recent time, the advancements and ground breaking achievements in technology has stimulated the much ballooned advocacy on the expansion of academic library services in tertiary institutions (Ritterbush, 2014; Brian, 2015; Ream & Parker-Kelly, 2016; and Chen et al., 2017). This is tentatively targeted at meeting the growing research/academic information needs of students and other * Corresponding author: saibatwilliams@gmail.com (Williams T. Saibakumo) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/library Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Scientific & Academic Publishing This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ users of academic libraries. In time when budgetary allocations for academic libraries are fast declining and remote access to information on the Internet that is now available to many taking over. Libraries need to adopt new approaches in their services to tackle the issue of patronage. This ever changing wind of technological innovation and creative advancement is causing academic libraries to braze up with the trends in other to stay extant. Understanding academic library sustenance techniques is pivot to its continual existence and relevance in the present digital society. One of such ways according to Earl (2017) is to train librarians and other library staff on digital service and regular update on research services. Keeping up with the trend in the communication technology is crucial to the functionality of information professionals in the society. This probably prompted the extension of library services to