ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND THEIR IMPACTS ON THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY: LIBRARY VISITS, REFERENCE SERVICE AND CIRCULATION

This study examines the impact of electronic resources on academic libraries, focusing on library visits, reference services, and circulation of materials. The study was conducted in an academic library, with a population of 250 library users, including students, faculty members, and librarians. A sample size of 150 respondents was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that electronic resources have significantly influenced library usage patterns, leading to a decline in physical visits while improving access to research materials. Reference services have evolved with librarians transitioning from traditional assistance to digital facilitation, while the circulation of print materials has decreased due to the convenience of online access. However, challenges such as limited access to subscription-based databases, digital literacy gaps, and inadequate infrastructure were identified. The study concludes that electronic resources have revolutionized academic library services, necessitating the adaptation of library functions to the digital era. It is recommended that academic institutions enhance digital literacy training, improve access to electronic resources, upgrade library infrastructure, and maintain a balanced hybrid collection of print and digital materials to meet diverse user needs.