Information is the pivot on which the survival of any society rests, [1]. It is the key to the wellbeing of humanity and stand as the major determinant of decision making. It could be equated to other economic resources such as capital and labour in which an increased investment leads to enhanced productivity. Access to information increases knowledge in the society. The library is the gateway to information in any institution because it houses information bearing resources in different format. In this regard, Mohammed conceived libraries as, veritable portals of organized information useful for coping with varieties of information needs, expectations and challenges. Traditionally, libraries are known for housing information in printed form for the spiritual, moral, social, educational development of individual of different categories. They provide ways in which these materials can be accessed and utilized easily through various management processes like selection, acquisition, cataloguing, classification, indexing and abstracting of the these materials. 

Library according to Ranganathan’ fifth law of library science is a growing organism. It must therefore constantly change in order to deliver value added information services to the society. Collaborating on this, Atkinson expressed that, today’s libraries are characterized by innovation and creativity driven by information and communication technologies acceptance and application. However, with the advent of information and communication technology, library resources are not only seen in print form but also in electronic form which is commonly refers to as ‘Electronic Resources’, ‘Virtual Resources,’ ‘Digital Resources.’ or e-resources for short. In defining electronic resources, Saye sees it as resources that are generated through some electronic medium and made available to a wide range of viewers both on-site and off-site via some electronic transferring machine or the Internet. For Ku, they are materials that require computer access, whether through microcomputer, mainframe, or other types of computers, and that may either be locally mounted or accessed remotely via the Internet.

The ambit of these resources includes, all kinds of digital collections in the form of e-books, online-databases, e-journals, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and the Internet, CD Rom, e-mail publishing, wireless publishing, electronic link, and web publishing, etc, which Idiedbeyan-Ose and Esse noted that, librarians need technical skills, management skills, to succeed in an e-environment and in this information age. Electronic resources are importance to pastors because of some reasons as highlighted by Parthasarathy [2] to include: “easy and instantaneous access without wasting time for processing, printing, binding, and delivery, eliminates printing, binding and postage costs, allow interactive facilities, enable simultaneous access to a large number of users, and data can be easily manipulated at regular intervals and can be kept always up-to-date in electronic media.” 

Despite the enormous benefits of electronic resources in theological institutions, experts such as Fatoki & Olayinka [3]; Sharma Otokunefor [4] & Saadi [5] have notice low use of the resources due to some factors such as fear, not aligning with the wind of change, ignorance of the existence of the resources by librarians, faculty members and students, as well as improper management of the resources. Thus, this study intends to examine those factors that militate against effective use of electronic resources, and provide way forward that will enhance electronic resources usage by pastors undergoing training in theological institutions. 

The Concept of Electronic Resources

According to the University of Kansas Information Service, electronic information resources are information bearing materials that are in digital content files that is stored, transmitted, or used with hardware/software. While Ukachi, electronic resources are information materials that can only be accessed electronically, with the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities. Ani, Ngulube and Onyancha sees electronic resources or e-resources; as information stored in electronic format in computer or computer related facilities (CD-ROMs, digital libraries or the Internet). Electronic resources are information resources that are available in computer processable form. According to Angle America Cataloguing Rules, an electronic resource is: “Material (data and/or program(s)) encoded for manipulation by a computerized device. This material may require the use of a peripheral directly connected to a computerized device (e.g., CD-ROM drive) or a connection to a computer network (e.g., the Internet).” This definition does not include electronic resources that do not require the use of a computer, for example, music compact discs and videodiscs. According to Library and Information Technology Glossary the term is used to describe all of the information products that a library provides through a computer network. These include e-mail, voice systems, local databases, and externally accessed databases, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), video, recorded magnetic media, digital movie, photographic files or other digitized information.

Electronic resources that are often consulted in theological libraries include: Internet, CD-ROM databases, online databases, Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs), electronic journals, electronic books and digitized materials. Multiple access speed, richer in content, reuse, timeliness and anywhere access are some of the features of electronic information resources. Nevertheless, it is expected that these resources should be well organized for easy access. Electronic resources may sometimes require passwords for them to be accessible, while some can be accessed without any restrictions. Aina state that, accessibility determines the speed at which an information output in any format is obtained. Kumar and Kumar, observed that, electronic resources are becoming more and more important for the academic community. It can also be seen as the most recent development in information technology and are among the most powerful tools ever invented in human history.

Electronic resources is now one of the major resources in every theological libraries because, it has significantly transformed information handling and management in academic environment. Collaborating on this, Ellis and Oldman posit that the use of electronic resources has availed researchers and pastors, access to information globally, particularly the Internet for their scholarly discourse. Manoj Kumar, Gauri, and Bimal add that, electronic resources has brought great significance in the advancement of teaching and learning in theological institution as it has provide students and faculty members to access information while in their offices or homes. It has radically impacted the field of Library and Information Science to such an extent that librarians now provide information at the press of their fingertips. For Jirojwong & Wallin, with this new technological environment, pastors in training can use an increasing array of electronic information resources, including online databases, OPACs, e-conference materials, e-mail, full-text databases, e-books and scholarly websites for academic and research activities because of its ability to provide users with timely, easy to access and, up-to-date information. 

Types of Electronic Resources

The following are types of Electronic Resources usually found in theological libraries:

• Online Databases 

Online databases are a collection of information sources (e-journals/e-books) by publishers from various fields and disciplines that libraries usually subscribe to. Users have access to the materials in the online database through the use of internet and password that the library provides. Online databases are essential in contemporary research processes in academic libraries. Some of these online databases include: EBSCO host, HINARI, AGORA, OARE, etc

• Electronic Book/Journals 

Electronic books/journals according to Johnson, Evensen, Gelgand, Lammers, Sipe and Zilper (2012) are materials provided in a digital format for access via an internet browser, a computer or other electronic device. They provide efficient access to information and, thus they are easy to distribute to library patrons than traditional print. Books and Journals made available in electronic form have now become an accepted norm for many academic institutions in the world. Theological institution are to make these resources available to all its authorized users in-house, on campus and remotely

• Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) Databases 

A CD-ROM is an e-resource format that contains up to 650-900 Mega-Bytes (MB) of information on a single-sided and single-layered optical disc. CD-ROM databases allow users access to relevant databases without vigorous internet connectivity in libraries. It requires a computer system to access the information contain in a CD-ROM

• Institutional Online repositories

An online repository is a digital library or archive which is accessible via the internet. All online repositories should have conditions of deposit and access attached. Most have free access to a part of a collection and require users to sign a licence if they seek to use copies of original documents or audio files

• E-Newspaper/Magazine

An E- newspaper/magazine is also known as online newspaper/magazine or web newspaper that exists on the World Wide Web or internet

• Multimedia products

These are image collection. It is as a result of adventure of e-images facility this type of databases is developed. They contain images videos, audios, text, etc

• Application Collections

This are resources that has collections of different apps that users can download or use either offline or online

• E. Altases

This is an electronic resource that contains collection of maps of several places of the world. This electronic resource provides mainly directional service to users

The Use of Electronic Resources by Pastors undergoing Training in EdoLand

 Pastors undergoing training in theological institutions use electronic resources for various purposes. This purpose includes; to increase their knowledge, prepare for examinations, do class assignment, write term papers, support class works, prepare for class discussions, retrieving current literature for studies, following blog discussions on subject area of interest, searching for scholarship opportunities, searching for sermons, get new counseling tips, etc. Oyegade affirm that, the internet, which is an electronic resource is regarded as the best channel for information retrieval for students’ research work because it is the gateway to the globe. He opined that, it allows different groups of people especially students and researchers to create channels of communication and self-expression. Ekhaguere, Olayinka, Taiwo, Alonge and Obono asserted electronic resource is use by pastors in training as it acts as a vista to retrieve up-to-date information in different fields of study.

Magara opined that, the emergence of the World Wide Web (www) enhance scholarly communication. Presently, the world is facing the issue of Covid-19 pandemic, many students in theological institution rely on the use of e-resources for their assignment, term papers, research and communication with their lecturers/facilitators as a measure of curbing the spread of the virus. Fakolujo reported that “Electronic mail (E-mail) over the internet enables one to overcome many barriers to communicate due to geographic distance such as time, costs and language”. More so, virtual study or research teams can also be formed by the students to link a variety of other students to enable them to contribute their skills towards a particular project. Also, faculty members make use of electronic resources to prepare their lecture notes, write textbooks and journal article, prepare conference papers, training materials and reading of messages.  Electronic resources are use to know how to evangelize, disciple members and increase the level of spiritual formation and maturity with God. The use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) is necessary for students mainly because they provide better, faster and easier access to information than information accessed through print media. Electronic information resources help to expand access, increase usability and effectiveness and establish new ways for students to use information to be more productive in their academic, moral, spiritual, and social activities. 

Factor s Militating against the Use of Electronic Resources by Pastor in Training

The emergence of electronic resources has triggered changes in theological institutions libraries Electronic-based resources have precipitated a paradigm shift in libraries both operationally and strategically. However, electronic resources present a number of challenges to the traditional library and operations and workflow that must be addressed in other to provide smooth management. Below are some of the challenges that hinder the effective management of electronic resources by pastor undergoing training in theological institutions.

• The Library’s Hours of Operation

Most theological institutions hours of operation hamper effective utilization of electronic resources. Libraries in most theological institutions open from 8am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays while weekends the library closes. Between the times that the library opens, students are in classes receiving lectures. When the student closes from lectures, the library closes, and all the equipments for students to access the e-resources are shut down because of the fear that, when the equipments  is on, eventuality can occurs, and no library staff will be on ground to salvage the situations. This situation is making students to use more of print materials than e-resources to carry out academic and spiritual activities

• Attitude of Faculty Staff towards Electronic Resources

Attitudes, according to Burns cited by Alkhanak and Azmi is a positive or negative evaluations of object, people, situation, beliefs which predispose the individual to respond in a preferential way. Attitudes of individuals towards a particular medium of information equally affect the use of that resource. The wrong attitude of some faculty staff towards electronic resources affects it utilizations by pastors undergoing training in theological institutions. From the comments of some lecturers moderating students’ long essays, it has been observed that some faculty staff members have the perception that the information contain in electronic resources in not credible and authenticity. While others feels that, using e-resources by pastors, is a lazy way to academic success. Collaborating on this, Opeyemi (n.p) noted that, he repeated an assignment because he used more of electronic resources than printed materials. Similarly, Okorodudu (n.p) reveals that, a lecturer rejected his term paper because he used only e-resources to do the work. Osayanmen add that, he was ask to submit the books, he will use to carry out his term paper work, because the lecturer said he will not accept any work that contain electronic resources. The fear of work been rejected, not wanting to have low grades, triggered the low use of electronic resources in theological institutions

• Low Information Literacy Skills

Association of College and Research Libraries, sees information literacy as the ability for users (pastors undergoing training) to analyze and evaluate the information contents. It involved finding and using that information to make a decision or create a product. Information literacy, according to Amalahu, Oluwasina and Laoye includes library literacy, computer literacy, search literacy, and critical thinking skill. This is important in the use of electronic resources, because of the proliferation of information presently experienced as a result of series of research and developmental activities taking place globally. Information literacy gives insight into interaction with the world of information. Information literate pastors become more thoughtful and versatile in seeking and using information in all formats. For one to be able to use e-resources calls for previous experience or knowledge of the use of Information and communication technology facilities. Some pastors undergoing training in theological institutions do not have knowledge of computer operations. The complexity of the use of electronic resources resulting from the need for one to be computer literate and also possess good searching and evaluation skills may pose a great challenge to their effective utilization by pastor in training if they lack these skills

• Weak or Poor Internet Connectivity

Michael [6] sees internet, a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect. Sometimes referred to as a “network of networks,” The internet is the hall marks for accessing and utilizing most electronic resources.  Kiyingib & Baziraake established that, there is a relationship between utilization of online library services and multiple aspects of internet connectivity. Watt & Ibeghulam; Owusu-Ansah and Bubuam reports that, pastors in training experience slow internet connectivity, as a results of low inadequate infrastructure, low internet bandwidth, and high cost of internet access subscription. Similarly, Alisona, et al affirms that, students in theological schools in Edo Land encountered rigorous stress in getting password to access the internet, inconsistency in subscribing internet access affects the use of electronic resources. Onuoka (n.p) expressed that, the amount of data allocate to students is very small, it only allow few browsing hours. Onuoka (n.p) continue to note that the long period it takes to load web page, download information and view downloaded materials affect e-resources usage

• Lack of Awareness of the Availability of Electronic Resources

The bible say that how can get hear the word of the Lord without a preacher, (Rom. 10:14). This implies that for one to use a thing he must be aware of the existence of what he want to use. Availability of electronic information sources relates to the provision for and inclusion of the resources in the collection of the libraries at the disposal of users in academic institutions. Information resources in electronic formats should be accessible when they are available. In the words of Roberts availability of electronic resources provides access to authoritative, reliable, accurate and timely access to information. Awareness is part of availability and it indicates the extent to which users have information and knowledge of electronic resources being subscribed to.  When users of theological institutions library have adequate information on the electronic resources being subscribed to they are encouraged to use them. Madukoma, Onuoha and Ikonne [7] identified lack of awareness as major contributing factor to non-use of e-resources because users do not have knowledge of the e-resources the libraries subscribe to. This is as a result of lack of interpersonal relationship between the library staff and faculty staff and students. Also, the librarians do not have knowledge of the existence of the materials due to lack of information literacy skills.  This implies that electronic resources must be made available in several brands to the users in their institutions. Their contents must also be publicized by the library in order to prompt their use. Thus, regular training programmes should be put in place to equip them with the necessary skills to explore the sources [8]

• Lack of Technical Support Staff

Electronic resources gadgets are products of companies and individuals of high technologies as well for their management and maintenance in the process of use. And since most of these high-tech companies are not found in Nigeria, in most cases many of the experts are not also readily available in Nigeria. This unavailability of experts has actually hampers the rate of use of these resources as pastors in theological institution

• Poor Management of Libraries

Electronic resources do not fly into the library by accident. It involves coordinated effort to select, acquire, catalogue and maintain them; and this is what management of electronic resources in libraries is all about. The problems of management of electronic resources have been found to be multidimensional. These problems appear to be compounded because of the limitations of use of electronic resources in academic libraries. Bothmann and Holmbery identified the challenges to electronic resources management consisting wrong planning, wrong policies and uncoordinated workflow. Okoye and Ugwuanyi identified poor managerial skills, poor budgeting and poor communication as major challenges. They summarized the situation: “the situation in the present study is that there are no librarians designated on e-resources librarian functions, particularly unique to electronic resources such as licensing, access set-up, link maintenance, inter-database linking are either non-existent or are at their embryonic stages of implementation.  Some librarians in theological institution in Edo Land have no free hand in developing resources and making decision on the library. In fact, some theological institution administration has no regard for the Library. They allow people who are not professionals to run the library. They have no policy for e-resources development in the Library System. No budget allocation for electronic information resources. Where there is budget, it is spent without input from the librarian. Funds for the library are disbursed piecemeal. Funds approved for project development in the library are not released on time. These factors make it even more difficult for theological institution library don’t have an up-to-date print collection let alone e-resources that are capital intensive and require specialized training and retraining. When all these issue are facing theological institution library, the library users will suffer the same fate

• Inadequate ICT Infrastructures

Alison et al. reported that inadequate number of ICT equipment in theological institution is a universal challenge and constraint to utilization of e-resources. The writer in his personal visit to some theological institution found out that some theological institutions that have over five hundred users, only 10 computers were available for e library purposes and these computers were not connected to the internet. Thus making pastors that do not have ICT facilities to access electronic resources to be stranded. Also, inadequacy of computer caused congestion at information search point, which in turn affect the level of academic performance. Several studies have attributed the non-availability of ICT equipments to high cost of purchasing these equipment in libraries

• Lack of Constant Power Supply

Nigeria is a country that characterized by epileptic power supply which have affected every sectors of the economy. In their study, Alisona et.al identified frequency power outage as a key factor influencing utlization of electronic resources in Nigeria. The writer observed that most theological institutions do not have 24/7hours power supply, which is needed to use electronic resources in the library. Corroborating on this, Ingutia-Oyieke & Dick noted that incessant power outages on campus as one of the infrastructural issues affecting utilization of electronic resources at theological institution. To Ingutia-Oyieke & Dick, power outages affected the LAN Internet connectivity, causes system break down and damaging computers in the library. When power is not available, users cannot access electronic resources, which invariably affect its utilization by pastors in theological institutions

• Low Maintenance Culture

Maintenance culture is an attitude which is sadly lacking in Nigeria, whether in the home, office, school or factory. Mbamali added that poor maintenance culture has become a widely recognized problem in Nigeria which has poorly affected the quality of public properties. Electronic resources equipment needs proper care to prolong it effectiveness in library. The lackadaisical attitude of some library staff toward maintenance of the ICT equipments in library make gadget to develop fault on time. When these systems are faulty, it take long time for them to be repair or replace. Thus affecting the use of electronic resources by pastor undergoing training, when the systems are not working

• Poor Funding

The bible in Ecc. 3: 8 identify money as the answers all things. Finance is a key factor for the implementation of electronic resources in libraries. The greatest enigma of e-resources is pricing which are not fixed as in case of printed material. In subscribing printed journals and purchase of printed books, there are hardly any such problems. There are fixed prices and subscription rates subject to verification if required. Theological institution do not received subvention from state government. The money they receive from their parent body, individuals, cooperate organization do not come regularly. Also, theological libraries in Edo land need funds to buy, install and run electronic resources for optimum used. Unfortunately, money allocated or available to the library have remained poor for decades. Due to the inadequate finance to buy the ICT equipments, employed technical skill staff, pay for internet access and subscription of e resources, is a challenge to the availability and utilization of these resources in libraries

Way Forward

Electronic resources are an infallible material in meeting the information needs of users. Despite the challenges pose in using electronic resources, theological institutions libraries must adopt strategies to provide e-resources to its users. Efforts to increase use of e-resources in the Library should concentrate on the selection of appropriate medium of information dissemination about the resource facility of the Library. In the process, specific attention should be paid to the use of UDS mailing system and personal interaction among librarians and lecturers. Lecturers are also advised to increase the frequency of visit to the Library to be able to discover more potentials of the Library to facilitate the use of the resources. Budget allocation for development of e-resources a certain percentage of the library budget should be allocated to the development of electronic resources in theological libraries. Librarians and other paraprofessionals should be trained and retrained so as to function effectively in an IT-driven information environment. The acquisition of requisite ICT skills will help them to develop digital information resources or strategically plan for the management of EIRs.

The need for policy formation on strategic plan for ICT infrastructural development in theological institutions’ library. This will provide an enabling environment for the organization and use of electronic resources in the Library. Commitment to digital library projects such as integrated library automation, creation of standardized databases, digitization of theses and dissertations, and creation of various types of institutional repositories (IRS). Commitments to each of these projects will redefine, reposition and reinvent the library for user-centered services. Acquisition of more computers, giving students adequate library use orientation, allowing librarians to handle information literacy skill courses in the university, acquiring EIRs that have user-friendly interface, training students when there is acquisition of new software, provision of alternate software, upgrading the Internet bandwidth and assisting students in retrieving needed information. Faculty member need to develop positive attitude towards the use of e-resources and also acquire the basic skills necessary for effective utilization of these resources. 

This implies that librarians need to give adequate library orientation/education to enable them to acquire the required information literacy skill necessary for effective utilization of these resources and also helps them in developing positive attitude towards their use of these resources. During such programmes, the faculty staff/students should be practically taught how to search and retrieve needed information and also made to know the relevance of the use of the e-resources. This should also be repeated at any time new software or databases are acquired to get them acquainted with the use of such resources as it is well known that people tend to utilize an information resource more when they value it and are also skillful in utilizing it. The services provision of the librarians should be extended to assisting them retrieving their needed information. This will go a long way in enhancing their continued use of the e-resources in the library.

The Internet bandwidth should also be upgraded to enhance accessibility and eliminate the frustration being experienced when searching the Internet. Theological institution management in collaboration with the library management should provide alternative power supply to be used whenever there is power outage.  The institution should provide a standby generator or solar system should for the library department. This will encourage greater use of the resources by students. In order to create awareness, there is need to engage distance learners in activities that give them practice and require them to demonstrate their competence in evaluating the quality of the information they use. Digital literacy should not be assumed because a generation has grown using the Internet and online technology. In addition stakeholders of the library should regularly solicit student opinion on the ease of use and usefulness of the online library's resources and services. Determining student satisfaction is one of the pillars of quality e-learning effectiveness. Keeping Relevant and Up to Date Resources by ensuring that the contents or the e-resources that the library subscribe to are relevant to the programmes that the theological institution is offering. Thus, there should proper selection of e-resources for the library collection. Theological libraries should work with different user groups to ensure collections of e-resources keep track of changes in content needs. Information specialists working with different users groups to explore relevant e- resources meeting with content needs and recognizing changes in content need

E-resources represent many challenges at every level of their selection, acquisition, preservation, maintenance and management. At the same time, these resources have also come with many advantages giving solutions to many professional problems like solution to space problem, providing remote access, convenience in use, increased readership with improved services, leading to more opportunities for productive research output and academic excellence within shortest possible time. Many software have been developed and new projects are going on to provide better solutions to the existing problems. Technology has been behind the evolution and development of e-resources, and the same technology may be able to provide better solutions and more opportunities to have complete bibliographical control over world literature which is impossible in case of printed resources. What is required is synergy of professional skills and abilities with application of right technology so that e-resources are managed well for effective accessibility and use by majority of users globally.

More cooperation and interaction are required among library professionals, publishers, vendors/aggregators, users and software engineers to discuss common issues to arrive at common goal of mutual interests to promote more production, use of these resources with their improved, maintenance and management to the maximum benefit of the users. It would be the joint efforts which may be able to provide better solutions to the problems. Future belongs to e-resource, their use would go on increasing with decline in use of printed material. It is being predicted that by 2020, more than 90% of the material would be in digital form. In such situation and future trend, library professionals in theological institutions will have to come up with new emerging digital environment and devise best possible techniques and methods of managing these resources efficiently and effectively for their improved availability and accessibility ensuring convenient and comfortable use overcoming all the barriers coming on the way.

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