Challenges of Collection Development in Nigeria Public Libraries
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
- The general aims of this project is to find out the problems of collection development in Nigeria .
- To find out the state of collection development in Nigeria libraries.
- To identify the problems of collection development in Nigeria public libraries
- To identify solution to the problems of collection development.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literatures that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Concepts of library and its functions
Libraries are the knowledge and information foundation of any nation. A library collects, organizes and makes information resources accessible to all kinds of users regardless of their ages, background and interests. Islam (2004) defined library as a learned institution equipped with treasures of knowledge, maintained organized and managed by trained personnel to educate the children, men and women continuously and assist in their self improvement through an effective and prompt dissemination of information. There are different kinds of libraries and each performs different kinds of functions to meet the determined purpose and needs of the people they serve (Ode and Omokaro 2007). These libraries include the following: academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries, school libraries, and private libraries.
Uwaifo (2010) stated that academic libraries are the ones established and maintained by higher institutions of learning such as universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, schools of nursing, petroleum training institutes and schools of health technology. He also noted that the essence of establishing an academic library is to enable it support the curriculum of the tertiary institutions which established it. They are essential part of the learning community. He went further to state that the academic library is the information nerve centre of its parent body. Aina (2004) stated that the main purpose of academic library is to support the objectives of an academic environment in the areas of learning, teaching and research service. Jubb and Green (2007) observed that academic libraries have for centuries played critically important roles in supporting research in all subjects and 2 disciplines within their host universities and colleges. The following are the services provided by an academic library: Circulation of materials, shelf management, user education programmes, provision of information services, and operation of the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), exhibitions and displays, reader’s enquiry services, Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI), trainings and internet services, bibliographic services, Indexing services, abstracting services, access to electronic resources and document delivery services. The effectiveness and efficiency of services provided by an academic library are mainly determined by library users. Aina (2004) recognizes this fact when he stated that the user is very critical in the practice of librarianship. No library can exist without the patrons. The entire human and material resources in a library are put in place at considerable expense for the overall purpose of providing effective services to the library users. On its part the library has a responsibility to ensure that its resources and services are used (Edoka, 2000).
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 constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine challenges of collection development in Nigeria public libraries in Enugu state central library. Selected librarians in the central library form 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 thirty-six (36) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only thirty (30) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 30 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to examine the challenges of collection development in Nigeria public libraries using librarians in Enugu state central library as a case study. The study specifically was aimed at highlighting the the meaning of collection development in Nigeria libraries. problems of collection development in Nigeria public libraries.and, solution to the problems of collection development.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 30 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn from librarians in the Enugu state central library
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- Collection development is the systematic planning and rational building of library material.
- Collection development is the process of systematically building the collection of a particular library to meet the information needs of the library users in a timely and economical manner
- Collection development is an ongoing process, undertaken by librarians and library services staff, with input from faculty, administrators, staff
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:
- The public libraries should train more of their staff on collection development from time to time for knowledge acquisition.
- The state government should provide adequate funds to select materials that are needed for a better services to users.
- The management of the public library should notify the board, the importance of having a collection development plan and formulate policies that should guide the process of collection development in the Enugu State public library.
- The book budget of the library should be increased so that more books can be acquired for users.
- Libraries should solicit book donations and funds from Non-Government organizations (NGOs) and prominent individuals to enable them provide relevant and current information to their communities and thereby meet the changing needs of library users.
REFERENCES
- Adamson, Veronica, et al. (2008). JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study PDF (1 MB). Sheffield, UK: Sero Consulting. p. 51. Retrieved on 21 January 2009. “… a
- Adebimpe, O.A. 2001. Funding as controlling factor for book development in college library SPED Library Oyo experience. In: Quadri, R.F. & Gbadamosi, B.O. (eds.) Issues in library and information Ibadan: Emiola Jay Comm.
- Adesanya, O.O. 2015. Acquisition patterns in academic libraries: A case study of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe, Lagos State. International Journal of Library and
- Aguolu, C.C. and Aguolu, I.A. 2002. Libraries and information management in Nigeria. Ed-Linform Services, Maduguri.
- Aina, L.O. 2004. Library and Information Science Text for Africa. Third World Information Services Limited, Ibadan.
- Alhassan, A.J. and Abdulsalam, R.M. 2013. Acquisition and management of government documents in the National Library of Nigeria. African Educational Research Journal, 1(3), pp.191-197.
