International Journal of Library Science 2014, 3(1): 7-13 DOI: 10.5923/j.library.20140301.02 Usability Assessment and Statistical Analysis of Library Resources in Energy Research Centre Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka Chimah Jonathan N. 1,* , Nwokocha Udo 2 , Ocheruobia Uchenna M. 3 1 National Centre for Energy Research & Development Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria 2 Department of Library & Information Science, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria 3 Department of Statistics, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria Abstract This paper reports the findings of a statistical assessment of the use of library and information resources in NCERD Library, University of Nigeria Nsukka. The periods studied are from 2005 to 2012. Library resources available were identified to include books, theses, dissertations & projects (TDPs), journals, conference proceedings and newspapers. Quantitative research design was used because the study involved statistical analysis of records of the library resources in order to ascertain their use by NCERD staff and students. Data was collected by observational technique and recorded documents. Five Research Questions and one Hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Researchers aim to find whether the use of library resources is independent of the type of library resources available or not. The paper also tends to discover whether the resources are adequately utilized or not. Keywords Library resources, NCERD library, Library statistics, Resources usability, Statistical analysis 1. Introduction Research is the basis of innovation and development. It is a precursor for advancement in this era of globalization as it gives competitive advantage. Research will be ineffective if there is inadequate collection, storage and retrieval of library materials. The stock of information resources in libraries constitutes the bedrock of research in any establishment. Harande [1] noted that, “for effective interaction between the information seekers and information resources, the information resource management should be accorded paramount important place in the scheme of information transfer. It is pertinent that the information managers should combine the function of gathering information with analysis, synthesis and delivery of information in usable form. This action increases the value of library and information centre’s output”. Information required by users appears in various formats such as books, serials, maps, compact discs, etc. These formats are collectively called information carriers. This is because these various objects bear information that is useful to the users of a library. Books and journals are the best known of all the information carriers. Books have been in * Corresponding author: jonachim2000@yahoo.com (Chimah Jonathan N.) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/library Copyright © 2014 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved existence since the advent of printing technology during the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, other information carriers supplement the print-media collection, especially for learning and recreational purposes. As much as possible, users want relevant information regardless of the format in which it appears. It therefore becomes imperative for libraries to acquire, store and preserve a variety of materials for their users. Aina [2] identified the range of information carriers normally acquired by libraries to include books, serials, manuscripts, cartographic materials, graphic materials, sound recordings, motion pictures and video recordings, microform and digital materials. All these make up library resources available in most libraries. However, the scope of this study is limited to only books and serials (journals, conference proceedings and newspapers). 1.1. Background Information on the NCERD Library The National Centre for Energy Research and Development (NCERD) of Nigeria is a research institution established in 1982 with the mandate of carrying out research in the field of renewable and alternative energy technologies including manpower training, research output demonstration, dissemination and commercialization. The research center operates with energy policy targeted for increased renewable energy output and usage. Engineers and research scientists in the energy sector generally as well as students with related disciplines are expected to maximally utilize major sources of information for higher result. It is