There is a need for university libraries to demonstrate quantitatively their value to their institutions (Luther, 2008). Consequently, studies such as that of Lonsdale (2003) was conducted and revealed that a strong library program that is adequately staffed, resourced and funded can lead to higher student academic performance. Similarly, Wells’ (1995) study established a positive relationship between academic achievement and the use of a number of different library resources or services. Brown and Malenfant (2015) also affirm that university libraries contribute to student learning and success. In addition, Ida (2016) demonstrated that students from schools with libraries with adequate relevant academic materials perform better than those from schools with no libraries. In light of these views, higher education institutions are encouraged to advance and refine strategies that focus on the library’s contributions to universities’ missions when it comes to student success (Brown & Malenfant, 2015). The current study examines relationships between factors such as age, gender, library usage, and satisfaction and student academic performance. The expected research output is to produce a model that university managements can use to determine the value of the university libraries to its primary customers: students.
To determine the contribution of library usage to student academic performance.
To assess whether there is a relationship between library service satisfaction and student academic performance.
To analyze library user satisfaction with reference to students’ period of study, age and gender.
The study will quantify the role of a university library when it comes to student academic performance. The importance of ensuring good library customer service to students will be demonstrated by analyzing student academic performance outcomes. University libraries can use results of the research to convince their university management to continue investing in developing library academic resources. The study can be used as a benchmark by universities to model the value of their libraries based on the students’ feedback in order to source for extra funding from other stakeholders such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who are involved globally in the development of the education system.