Influence of the Implementation of Nigerian University Commission Library Parameters on Accreditation Readiness for Academic Programmes in Federal Universities of South-East, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated the influence of the implementation of Nigerian University Commission library parameters on accreditation readiness for academic programmes in Federal Universities of South-East, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 161 academic librarians in the five federal universities located in the South-East zone of Nigeria. These are; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo. The census sampling technique was adopted for the study since the total number of academic librarians in the five universities was within a manageable size. The sampling method was considered appropriate because it allows statistical enumeration and participation of all members of the population in the study. Data was collected using questionnaire and analysed using regression analysis. Findings show that libraries are under staffed in most universities in the South East of Nigeria and the libraries had information resources to a great extent, but still needed to widen their services given the growing student population and new courses offered. The study therefore concluded that it is imperative for university administrators through the governing councils to employ more library staff in all cadres (professionals and para-professionals) as well as support staff. Also, the academic library environment should be made more conducive to attract clienteles to the library at all times and maintenance of furniture and equipment at libraries should be standardized, while upgrade and expansion services should also be done systematically.
Keywords: Federal Universities, Librarians, Libraries, Nigerian University Commission (NUC), accreditation readiness, electronic resources, library environment, library staffing
Collaboration in Nigerian University Libraries: A Diagnosis (Published)
This paper sought to show the potential of collaboration of university libraries in ameliorating the common problems and challenges facing the Nigerian Academic Library System on the basis of the current status of collaboration in Nigerian university libraries. The paper addressed the following questions: what is the status of collaboration of Nigerian University libraries? How can University Libraries achieve meaningful collaboration? And what possible benefits can University libraries in Nigeria attain from effective collaboration? The paper clarified three forms of collaboration within the University Library system to address the indiscriminate use of the term ‘Librarian collaboration’ to pass for library collaboration. Based on literature reviewed, the current level of collaboration in Nigerian University Libraries is below expectation and is to a great extent responsible for poor quality teaching, learning and research bedeviling the Nigerian tertiary education system. University Library leadership and the Committee of University librarian in Nigerian Universities (CULNU) were identified as prime movers whose efforts could improve the level of collaboration in Nigerian University Libraries. The paper revealed that possible areas for collaboration include: resource sharing, inter-library loan, cooperative acquisition, cooperative cataloguing, cooperative referencing, staff development, library exchange and librarian and library user networks. The paper further noted that the key benefits of collaboration are significant reduction in operational costs, increased human cooperation and exposure of Librarians to global library practices. The paper identified factors that pose as either a threat or a challenge to the implementation of effective collaboration in Nigerian university libraries. They include: Inadequate funding, leadership issues, lack of structured library development policies, proliferation of informal collaboration, high competition in library profession and resistance to change. The paper therefore recommended that committee of University Librarian in Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Library Association should make and implement a policy for all University Library Leadership to develop and implement documented and structured develop plans and policies p to provide strategic direction for University libraries.
Keywords: Collaboration, Libraries, Universities, consortium, librarian
Utilization of Funds Allocated to Agricultural Research Institute Libraries in Nigeria (Published)
This study focused on the utilization of funds allocated to agricultural research institute libraries in Nigeria. All the fifteen (15) agricultural research institute libraries were involved in the main study; three in the pilot study, and twelve in the main study. The survey research method was adopted and the instrument used for data collection was the utilization of funds allocated to Agricultural Research Institute Libraries in Nigeria Questionnaire (UFARILNQ). UFARILNQ solicited responses from the principal officers of ARIs and their librarians who were themselves major users of the libraries. The responses were in line with the two research objectives of the study: utilization of funds allocated and extent to which appropriated funds met services needs of the agricultural research institute libraries. The data collected were analysed using frequency distributions, percentages, mean scores, standard deviation, graphs, and tests of differences and relationships for the four hypothesis. One way ANOVA was used to test for the differences in received funds and their utilization among the ARILs. The study established that funds allocated to ARILs were inadequate but well utilized except for purchase of computers which were deployed for services provision. The services provided were literature search, reference, selective dissemination of information, which were adjudged to be those required to meet the needs of users, except mobile library services which was non-existent. Even as funding was inadequate, the respondents were satisfied with their judicious use resulting in the ARILs offering satisfactory services. However, the hypotheses was tested at significant level of 0.05. The decision of the hypothesis was rejected at P< 0.05 and retained at alpha level of 0.05 (P> 0.05). For hypothesis one, the observed P-value in the test was 0.134, which was higher than the fixed level of significance 0.05 (P> 0.05). From this observation, the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in fund utilization by Agricultural Research Institute Libraries in Nigeria is therefore retained. Hypotheses one was retained. The recommendations of the study included all funds allocated to the agricultural research institutes libraries in Nigeria should be properly utilized for their respective purposes. Also the librarian of each agricultural research institute libraries in Nigeria should be a Principal Officer of the respective institute to enable the librarian to have a meaningful understanding of funds allocations.
Keywords: Funds, Libraries, Utilization, agricultural research institute
Job Satisfaction as Predictor of Personnel Commitment in University Libraries in South – West, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigated level of job satisfaction and its influence on personnel commitment in university libraries in South – West, Nigeria. The study used descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of 1,163 personnel from public and private university libraries in South – West, Nigeria, out of which 643 personnel were sampled using multistage sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. A total of six hundred and forty three (643) copies of the questionnaire were administered, out of which five hundred and forty one (541) copies representing 84.1% were retrieved and analysed. Data collected were presented and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that level of job satisfaction was high in term of nature of work (Mean = 3.87), promotion opportunities (Mean = 3.30), Supervision (Mean = 3.14) and communication flow (Mean = 3.45). Also, the results revealed that job satisfaction significantly influenced personnel commitment in university libraries (p≤0.05). The study recommended that university policy makers should ensure that library personnel are given adequate recognition, ensure payment of living wages as well as provision of befitting work environment similar to their colleagues in other units or establishment.
Citation: Badmus, Ibrahim Temitope, Alhassan, Jibril Attahiru & Ahmed, Abdulganiyi Okanla (2022) Job Satisfaction as Predictor of Personnel Commitment in University Libraries in South – West, Nigeria, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.8, No.2, pp.53-64
Keywords: Commitment, Job Satisfaction, Libraries, Personnel, University
The Role of Libraries in Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Nigerian Universities (Published)
With rapid development in technology and entrepreneurship, every university is expected among other things to train persons to become specialists imbued with the spirit of creativity and ability for practical work, become good citizens and promote the culture of national unity and progress. Students and staff in this respect, need to have information on the trends of their progression. Information is vital to the overall academic development of university students. It is central to the development of a nation or a people. Therefore, this paper accesses the Role of Libraries in Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Nigerian Universities. It also concludes that, information has always played a central role in human life and it is central and paramount for effective and fast development of a nation. Indeed, modern economics are driven by entrepreneurship. Without entrepreneurship ability to organize a country natural endowment, such as a country can hardly achieve her effective potential output/productivity. The paper recommends among other things. This paper recommended among other things that university library management and their universities should give priority attention to entrepreneurship education. Adequate resources and services should be provided to promote teaching, learning and research. Integration of this course into the school curriculum is necessary.
Citation: Ogar, Christopher Eje and Affiong Bassey Moses (2021) The Role of Libraries in Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Nigerian Universities, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.8, No.1, pp.1-8
Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, Libraries, Nigerian Universities, Promotion
Digital Preservation of Information Resources on COVID-19 in Libraries: A Theoretical Perspective (Published)
The aim of this study was to examine how information resources on COVID-19 can be effectively preserved digitally. The study adopted the exploratory research design. Data was obtained through in-depth review of relevant literature on the subject matter. The findings were analyzed descriptively. Digital Preservation of information resources on COVID-19 requires skilled manpower and adequate knowledge of what digital preservation is all about, the processes and procedures; there are immense benefits in digital preservation of information resource; on COVID-19 requires adequate funding to procure hard and softwares; most organizations do not have the political will to embark on digital preservation of their information resources; There is proliferation of information on covid-19 in both print and electronic media. Digital preservation of information resources on COVID-19 will ensure effective access to information on COVID-19 by both present and future generations. The paper recommended among others that: Institutions and organizations embarking on digital preservation of information resources generally and covid-19 in particular, must ensure that their staff are well trained to acquire the requisite skills in digital preservation; the relevant authorities responsible for digital preservation of information resources should avail themselves of the benefits derivable from digital preservation and develop the political will to accept and embark on digital preservation of their information resources, especially those on covid-19; Institutions and organizations must be willing to provide adequate funds to support the process of the digital preservation of information resources on COVID-19; libraries should monitor, harvest, digitize and channel information on COVID-19 into their digital institutional repositories for present use and the use of posterity.
Keywords: Libraries, Preservation, digital preservation, information resources; COVID-19
Knowledge Sharing and Utilisation as Means of Service Delivery among Library Personnel in Selected Universities in Southwest, Nigeria (Published)
This study examines knowledge sharing and utilization as means of service delivery among Library personnel in selected universities in Southwest, Nigeria. The population of the study was made up of Academic Librarians, Library Officers and Library Assistants. The study covered 12Nigerian University Libraries. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The instruments were grouped into four sections. Findings of the study revealed that both the tacit and explicit knowledge were being shared among the library personnel in which tacit knowledge was the most shared knowledge, library personnel shared knowledge with their colleagues most in the same department, seminars, workshops, mobile phones, conferences and staff meeting were the major modes of knowledge sharing and finally, the study revealed that acquisition, cataloguing and classification, selective dissemination of information and inter library loan were the major types of services rendered among library personnel in the selected universities in Southwest, Nigeria. Some of the recommendations were that Library management should encourage and promote knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization among library personnel and Library management should clearly state knowledge management strategy and create knowledge sharing initiatives in the library’s goals.
Keywords: Knowledge Sharing, Libraries, Nigerian university, Service delivery, Utilisation.
ISBN/ISSN Challenges in Libraries: The Way Forward (Published)
ISBN/ISSN is unique identifiers for information materials. Using them is beneficial to all the stakeholders in the book-chain. The features of the identifiers are enumerated as well as a brief history of how they came into being. Libraries use ISBN/ISSN numbers when they need to acquire new resources, when they process the new materials and when they offer services to patrons. However, as trusted institutions for reliable resources and information, libraries do face challenges at different points as pertains to the use of ISBN/ISSN. The publication of a Nigerian Publishers Directory as a standalone quick reference resource or embedded in the National Bibliography and African Books in Print and Other Media were suggested as pathways that could be followed to assist librarians when facing challenges associated with ISBN/ISSN issues.
Keywords: ISBN, Libraries, SSN
Influence of Libraries in Building a Virile Reading Nation: Challenges and Strategies in Starting Early (Published)
That the nation Nigeria is continually being described as a nation with poor reading culture with declining standard of education is a painful fact we have lived with for years. To reverse this trend and develop virile reading culture in the country, the paper examined the role and influence of the libraries as institutions with the mandate to support teaching, learning and doing research through the instrumentality of language and reading. The paper also examined the roles the stakeholders could play individually and collectively as a viable strategy in developing enduring reading culture in Nigeria through systemic thinking as theoretical construct. With the centrality of libraries the various influences of such stakeholders as governments, parents, teachers, booksellers, publishers, authors, and non-governmental organizations could easily be coordinated for positive and desired effect. The paper recommends adequate funding of libraries being the central player that is saddled with the responsibility of driving the acquisition of reading skills among citizenry of the nation.
Keywords: Acquisition, Libraries, Reading skills, language and language, reading culture
Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Libraries (Published)
This paper focuses on the fourth agenda of SDG, which centers round the quality of education. The library acts as the hub of academic activities. Therefore, this paper attempts to highlight information ecology, Information and knowledge society, highlighting the role of Library and Information centers in meeting SDGs. The paper highlighted some challenges facing libraries and librarians in actualizing Sustainable Development Goals. The paper calls upon the administrators, policy makers, managers, research scholars and the community members to use the library resources and services to act as a platform in meeting the SDGs.
Keywords: Development, Goals, Libraries, equitable, opportunities sustainable, quality education lifelong learning