The Effects of Poor Funding of Public Libraries in Nigeria
Chapter One
OBEJCTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are as follows
- To establish the state of funding in public libraries in Nigeria
- To find the major source of funding public libraries in Nigeria
- To find alternative source of funding public libraries in Nigeria.
- To highlight problems associated with inadequate funding of public libraries.
- To make recommendation on how to over come inadequate funding of public libraries.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
On state of funding public libraries, Nwafor, (2002) stated that every library stands on three legs, a building, collection and staff, but the only thing that holds those legs and bounds them together is money. He further states that for the library to meet the objective for which it was established, money is very crucial for procurement, processing and maintenance of equipment. Fries, (2008) pointed out that adequate finance is vital for the satisfactory running of any kind. Adedoyin, (2005) stated that funding, if properly done by the government can help in growth of public library to meet the expectations and the demands of its user community. Opara, (2008) opined that the bane of public libraries in Nigeria is poor funding. Every other problem confronting them emanates from that. This problem is steadily compounded by the reality of both inflation and the information explosion, including the growing concern for the provision of information in all its formats. Mohanty, (2016) in his statement connoted that in order to escape poverty and usher in economic prosperity in the 21st century; India needs to concentrate on regional or local economic development through municipalities, as cities and towns are the engines of economic growth and generators of public finance for socio-economic development. In the same vein, many states in India face major challenges in running public libraries due to acute shortage in infrastructure, funds and lack of local policies (Singh, 2012). On the main sources of funding public libraries there are various sources of funding according to scholars, public library is a community institution primarily funded by tax revenues, where any person without regard to race, religion, or economic condition should be able to obtain free access to the recorded history, learning and knowledge of mankind. (Okiy, 2004). Finance is a critical input in the running of any organization. Okiy (2008) affirmed that public libraries financing in Nigeria maintained that the financing of public libraries is a costly ventures which requires overhauling. He also present treads to leaving the financing of public libraries to state government alone is basically deficient. He proposed a balanced inter-governmental funding system involving the federal, state and local governments where federal government should contribute 20% of public library fund, state government 50% and local government 30%.respectively. The only main source is government allocation and it is the most pronounced way or source of funding public libraries in Nigeria. More so, Evans, (2000) Ikem (1995) pointed out that UNESCO public library manifesto in 1994 which is the third in the series after 1949 and 1972 declared the public library as the local center of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users. It further stipulates the funding legislation and financed by national and local government. Many other writers held the same view. For instance Oduwale, (2005) stated that public libraries are tax supported libraries that services the generally of the public without bias to sex, age, race or religion. Adaramola, (1998) noted that public libraries are libraries established and funded with tax payer’s money for the free and unrestricted provision of books and other related materials to members of the public for study and recreational purposes. In view of the above, various sources of public library finance which includes; Government sources, Subscription, Income generated by the library and endowments The alternative sources of funding of public libraries is reviewed by Friese (2008) opined that for a public library to function effectively there is the need to explore and exploit other areas of sourcing funds through the internally generated revenue to complement direct funding from the government. He also stressed that proper funding is the most important factors which determines public library efficiency, this in turn reflects on the services it offers. Banerjee (2015); Pyati and Kamal (2012) reported that the Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other voluntary agencies play an active role in the development and management of public and community libraries in and around Bengaluru. Avadaiappan (2015) recommended that constituency development fund of the Members of State Assembly/Parliament at least 3 years in every assembly segment; creation of ‘library infrastructure fund’ with the support of the government, public sector undertakings, multinational companies, private donors and through public-private partnership. To this end, alternative sources for funding public library have to be efficient to provide high quality library services and responsive to the local people’s needs (Scottish Library and Information Council, 2015). Buschman, (2016) averred that public libraries become landmarks in our vibrant cities and towns, there is needs for government to established synergy with NGOS in order to drag the public library system into the 21st century and prepare for the challenges Nigeria faces in a digital world, such as addressing issues of privacy, building democratic values, which crucially include free speech, freedom of thought, and equal access to information.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the effects of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria. Imo state library forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on the effects of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria. Five objectives were raised which included; To establish the state of funding in public libraries in Nigeria, To find the major source of funding public libraries in Nigeria, to find alternative source of funding public libraries in Nigeria, to highlight problems associated with inadequate funding of public libraries and to make recommendation on how to over come inadequate funding of public libraries. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Imo state library . Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It has been concluded that government subvention is the sources of funding of Imo state public library. Also It has been concluded that public library in Adamawa state are not given adequate fund to run the library. It is therefore, concluded that that international donors are the alternative sources of funding public libraries. It was concluded that the effect of poor funding cause’s inability to acquire current material in the library and it has been concluded that that none released of subvention by government is the problem militating against adequate funding of public libraries
Recommendation
- Government should increase subvention of public library to meet the expectation and the demand of its community
- Government should provide adequate funding to public libraries for acquisition of resources and running its services
- Federal and Government state should established a good relationship to persuade international donors/ NGOs to provide adequate fund to public libraries as an alternative source
- The government should improve its financial allocations to the state library board to enable them acquire current and up to date material in the library.
- State government should expedite action to released subvention to alleviate problem of funding of public libraries
References
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