Components of Preservation and Availability of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in South-South Geo-Political Region, Nigeria (Published)
The paper studied preservation and availability of information resources in academic libraries in south-south geo-political region, Nigeria. The study was hinged on correlational research design. The population of the study was culled from three academic libraries in the South-South Geopolitical region of Nigeria, namely Donald Ekong Library, University of Port Harcourt, Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan and Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 87 respondents. 84 (97%) respondents provided complete response. Data were collected, arranged and analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings show that preservation techniques of preventive preservation, passive preservation, active preservation and restorative preservation have significant relationship with the availability of library resources with active preservation having the highest significant relationship in academic libraries in south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Consequently, it was recommended that libraries should engage in active preservation its collection and to ensure availability of library resources.
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Preservation, Universities, active preservation, and restorative preservation, passive preservation, preventive preservation
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
Perceived Constraints to the Utilization of ICT Facilities in Selected University Libraries in Imo State, Nigeria (Published)
Citation: Ijeoma Irene Bernard., Doris Chinyere Obiano and Chioma Esther Osuji (2022) Perceived Constraints to the Utilization of ICT Facilities in Selected University Libraries in Imo State, Nigeria, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.8, No.1, pp.33-38
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the challenges of utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in two selected University Libraries in Imo State. A sample size of sixty (60) library staff from the two selected University Libraries was used. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that the major constraints faced in use of ICT tools include epileptic power supply, lack of access to ICT facilities and lack of adequate office/accomodation. From the above findings, the study recommended that the institutions should go ahead to acquire more current and relevant ICT facilities that are not yet available. That the staff should be given free access to the facilities and provide adequate office space for operations. There should be regular training of staff on ICT both in-house and otherwise so that staff will be more equipped to use the facilities for enhancement.
Keywords: ICT, Library, Staff, Universities, facilities
Demographic Factors as Predictors of Career Commitment of Librarians in Universities in South-west, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated demographic factors as predictors of career commitment of librarians in Universities in South-west, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine career commitment traits among librarians in the universities in South-west, Nigeria; and (ii) examine demographic factors of librarians in universities in South-west, Nigeria. Survey research design of correlational type was adopted for the study. Total enumeration technique was used to cover a study population of 295 librarians working in the universities in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Two research questions were presented for the study, and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.The findings of the study revealed that positive significant relationship existed between academic qualification and career commitment (r = .195**, p(.004) < .05), job status and career commitment (r = .591**, p(.000) < .05), years of professional experience and career commitment (r = .575**, p(.000) < .05). Also, the findings revealed that gender and marital status could not significantly predict career commitment of librarians. The study concluded that that gender and marital status had no significant relationship with the career commitment of librarians in the universities in South-west, Nigeria. Hence both gender exhibit a moderate level of commitment to their career irrespective of their gender or marital status because they are professionals. Based on this finding, it becomes necessary to treat all librarians equally as there is no rationale for discrimination based on gender in policy issues that can assist them in their profession.
Keywords: Career Commitment, Demographic Factors, Librarians, Universities
Maintenance Culture in Academic Libraries of Universities in South West, Nigeria (Published)
This study explored maintenance culture in academic libraries of universities in south west, Nigeria by taking a cursory look at Lagos State University Library, Ekiti State University Library, Ado – Ekiti and Olusegun Oke Library of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso as case studies. Related literatures were reviewed on sub heading that concerns the subject matter. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Fifty (50) questionnaires were distributed to each of the university library sampled for the study making a total of One Hundred and Fifty questionnaires (150) in all. Out of this One – Hundred and Twenty Eight (128) were returned valid. Four point Lickert scale was used to elicit responses and data collected analysed using frequency count and percentages (%). The findings of the research work indicated some causes of deterioration of library materials in south west Nigeria which are characterized by high temperature and humidity, natural ageing, mutilation by users, insect activities among others. Some of the maintenance practices identified in the course of the work as being practiced were careful removal of documents from shelves, binding of torn books, fumigation, photocopying, digitization, mounting of securities to check delinquencies among others. It was revealed that there were lack of constant training and retraining for staff on preservation, no preservation policies, inadequate funding, lack of functional library equipments for preservation and conservation among others. Based on the findings, the study recommended the following: working policies should be formulated on maintenance, training should be organized, open communication should be established between library management and university community, equipment on preservation and conservation of library materials should be procured.
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Conservation, Deterioration, Maintenance, Maintenance Culture, Nigeria, Preservation, South-west, Universities
Job Satisfaction as Correlates of Career Commitment of Librarians In Selected Universities In Ekiti And Ondo State, Nigeria (Published)
The study was designed to investigate the correlation between job satisfaction and career commitment of librarians in six selected university libraries in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research method and utilized questionnaire to generate data for the study. Total enumeration technique was used to cover a study population of fifty four (54) librarians working in the six universities selected in Ekiti and Ondo state, Nigeria. Three research questions were presented for the study, and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between job satisfaction and career commitment of the librarians working in universities in Ekiti and Ondo State, Nigeria. Also, there was a significant difference between career commitment of librarians working in private universities and those working in public universities in Ekiti and Ondo State, Nigeria. The study recommended that the university administrators should make available all the necessary equipments to facilitate librarians’ duties and improve their job performance and also provide conducive working environment for them. The university manage should organize training on the job to improve their performance and librarians should be well remunerated and recognised. All these will make them to be satisfied with their job and be highly committed to their career.
Keywords: Career Commitment, Job Satisfaction, Librarians, Universities