ISSN 2240‐0524 Journal of Educational and Social Research Vol. 2 (3) September 2012 307 Library Awareness of part-time Students in the University of Benin, Benin City Ngozi Blessing Ossai-Ugbah John Harris Library, University of Benin, Benin City. Edo State, Nigeria. blessing.ossai-ugbah@uniben.edu ngozichikaogu@yahoo.com Doi:10.5901/jesr.2012v2n3p307 Abstract This study was on library awareness and use by part-time students in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study was conducted on with 300 level undergraduate part-time students in department of Local Government Management in the 2010/2011 session. The study adopted a random survey method in the distribution of questionnaire. 50 questionnaires were distributed but thirty nine (78%) was retrieved and analyzed. The study found that 24 respondents (61.53%) are more aware of the library outside library sources and 33 respondents (84.61%) do not participate in library orientation for students. The study recommends that library orientation be made a criterion for admission and actual visit to the library be a part of the course on use of the library for part-time students. Keywords: Library, awareness, Part-time Students, University, Benin. 1. Introduction A library attached to a university, college or any educational institution is known as an academic library and plays what Nwalo (2000) called “behind the scenes” activity. Academic Libraries play educational roles with a primary objective to meet the academic needs of the particular institution for which it is created to serve. The purpose of a University Library is to enhance research projects apart from the curricular needs of students and the institution. University libraries propel their services to improve the teaching and research missions of the institutions, particularly for students. However, student location dictates their awareness and use of library services. Part-time students fall into the category Mclean and Dew (2004) call “off-campus students”. According to Adeyemi and Osunde (2005): Two types of part-time degree programmes are offered by Nigerian universities: on-campus and those offered via outreach programmes. The on-campus, part-time programmes are offered at main campuses; outreach programmes are offered at satellite outreach centres…, in theory part-time students must meet the same admissions requirements as their full-time student counterparts. On-campus students studying part-time are taught by regular faculty, use the same facilities, and attend lectures during the evenings, weekends or vacations, as fulltime students studying on-campus. It is the former viz: on campus part-time students that the scope of this study covers. The rise in part-time University education is attributable to increasing quest for knowledge, and growing societal-demands by school leavers and adult workers for greater opportunity to enhance their education (Adeyemi, 2001; Nwadiani, 1993). This study examines the level of library awareness of part-time students of the University of Benin, Benin City. 2. Literature Review An academic library according to Islam (2004) is an institution operated for knowledge and run by trained personnel with a goal for education and self improvement. The library is the centre of intellectual and academic activities provides resources to enhance teaching and learning for both students and faculty (Mabawonku, 2004). Omojuwa (1993) described the library as a citadel of spiritual, inspirational, and recreational activities through reading. This is where awareness of library services becomes important to students in any institution of learning. Metzger, (1991) opined that Library services help each individual widen their scope of leaning and perception. Authors like Fowowe (1998) observed frequency in use of library services is a product of awareness of the role the library plays in educational development. Goje (1995) noted that students must have access to all resources available in the library. Ajibero (1998), and Aguolu and Aguolu (2002) find that Nigerian university libraries do not meet user expectations. As a result, most students do not learn how to use the library and are not aware of the relationship of the library to their studies. Rathinasabapathy (2005) noted