Providing Academic Library Services in an Environment Where Faculty Are Increasingly Teaching a Curriculum That Draws Less and Less on Library Resources
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
- To determine the extent to which faculty members across diverse academic disciplines have shifted away from traditional library resources in their teaching and research activities.
- To investigate the underlying factors contributing to the reduced reliance on library resources.
- To Evaluate the implications of reduced faculty reliance on library resources for academic libraries.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Academic libraries and the restoration of high-quality teaching and learning
In the twenty first century, teaching and learning have undergone significant transformation. New teaching and learning methods have emerged recently, including “Open and Distance Learning (ODL), Learning Management Systems, M-Learning, Online Education Ventures, Virtual Campuses, and the Flipped Classroom” (Jain, 2013). These new educational trends have a substantial impact on libraries and the services they provide to meet users’ information demands. According to Aras & Colaklar (2015), a library is a key institution that colleges need to have for both research and educational objective as a component of the leaning process. Aras & Colaklar further say that no institution of higher learning can maintain educational and research activities without a functional library. Academic libraries, according Jain (2013), exist to help their academic community. Academic libraries, according to organizational theory, are an organization within a bigger organization, whose purpose and functions are dictated by the larger organization’s numerous elements (Gabby & Shoham, 2017). They are expected to be affected by the ideology of the community they serve in terms of their goals and structure. A university, a polytechnic, a research institute, or a college can be the community. Similarly, the quality of a library’s service within an institution is tied to the quality of that institution’s education. As a result, for any academic library to fulfil its essential purpose within the education ecosystem, it must maintain a constant dialogue with the consumers it serves. The type of services provided to users, the communication channels employed, the user’s demands, and the users’ perceptions of the roles and relevance of the academic library in teaching and learning processes are all important factors of interactions. Various studies on the roles of academic libraries (Gabbay & Shoham, 2017; Anunobi & Okoye, 2008) have found that academic libraries assist research, learning, and teaching. In order to obtain exceptional academic skills, academics, scientist, technocrats, researchers, and students want simple access to important and up-to-date research information in the library. Teachers and students will have easier access to information resources through the use of technology tools such as the internet, social media, CD-ROMs, PCs, video-conferencing, mobile phones, and electronic communication. As a result of the employment of these new technology tools, the academic library will be able to give quick and distant access to information resources and services to teachers and students.
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.
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 providing academic library services in an environment where faculty are increasingly teaching a curriculum that draws less and less on library resources. 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 providing academic library services in an environment where faculty are increasingly teaching a curriculum that draws less and less on library resources.
Summary
This study was on providing academic library services in an environment where faculty are increasingly teaching a curriculum that draws less and less on library resources. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the extent to which faculty members across diverse academic disciplines have shifted away from traditional library resources in their teaching and research activities, to investigate the underlying factors contributing to the reduced reliance on library resources and to Evaluate the implications of reduced faculty reliance on library resources for academic libraries. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from University of Uyo library. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study underscores the need for academic institutions, libraries, and faculty to adapt and collaborate in response to the changing landscape of higher education. As the traditional boundaries of library resources expand and diversify, libraries are presented with opportunities to play a central role in supporting teaching, learning, and research in innovative ways. This study serves as a foundation for further exploration and action, offering insights and recommendations to ensure that libraries remain indispensable partners in the evolving educational journey of faculty and students
Recommendation
- Libraries should diversify their collections to include multimedia resources, open educational resources (OER), and non-traditional formats that align with modern pedagogical methods.
- Explore partnerships and collaborations with content creators and publishers to expand access to relevant digital resources.
- Academic institutions should prioritize information literacy education by integrating it into the curriculum to ensure that students are equipped with the skills to navigate diverse digital resources effectively.
- Libraries should offer information literacy workshops and online tutorials to support faculty and students in developing these essential skills.
- Establish close collaborations between academic librarians and faculty members, assigning liaison librarians to academic departments to provide customized support.
- Offer faculty workshops and training sessions to familiarize them with the latest library resources and tools that can enhance their teaching and research
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