Challenges of Acquisition of Library Materials and Services to Users in Special Libraries in Nigeria
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are listed as follows
- To identify the challenges affecting acquisition in special library.
2. To find out the factors that are responsible for these challenges.
3. To examine the impacts of these challenges on the services of the library under study.
4. To suggest solutions to the challenges of acquisition in special library.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
CONCEPTS OF LIBRARY AND ITS FUNCTION.
Library performs the functions of acquiring, informing, educating, interpreting, and entertaining library users/clienteles. According to the encyclopedia of library and information science (2009) it is the transmission of the social heritage from one generation to the next.
Acquisition
Omoleyede (1981) says that:
Acquisition is the process whereby book, journals and other learning materials are taken into stock of a library.
Harold (1998) says that acquisition is the process of obtaining books and other documents for a library, documentation center or archives.
Debo (1984) says that acquisition is the process of obtaining books and non-book materials are collected in a library or a group of libraries.
By this he mean that in addition to books, periodicals, government publication, reports, micro-forms, films that carry printed materials and reduce them to a great length are collected into a library.
Edward Evans (1979) also said that acquisition is the process of identifying the strengths and weakness of a library’s collections in terms of patrons’ needs and communities resources and the attempt to correct the existing weakness if any.
From Evans identification it can be said that acquisition attempt to evaluate the library’s stock.
At this juncture, it would be very important to look at the purpose of stock acquisition and procedures in acquisition of books (BOOK PROCESSING).
The main purpose of acquisition is to satisfy the users/patrons need, thereby adding to the collection of library’s stocks.
However, it could be said that library without collection is like a soldier without a gun or a library which does not acquire is like a car which does not go for maintenance. Library stocks especially books are weapon for education, civilization etc.
Procedures in book acquisition are like that of every other acquisition procedure in the libraries. It includes selection, ordering, processing and accessioning.
ACQUISITION POLICY
Acquisition policy is a plan of action designed for the selection of materials for the library. The policy is meant to guide the librarian’s thinking and decision as to what subject area to collect materials and how much emphasis each area should receive.
Arikenbi (1979) identifies the process as “acquisition system”. According to him, acquisition system covers that part of the issuance of order, the keeping of records dealing with the processing of order and cancellation of claims fund accounting, compilation of statistical data.
The policy differs from one library to the other, dependency on the type and size of the library. The purpose of the policy is to ensure a balanced collection, consistency and uniformity.
Roger (1971) says that every institution must have a collection policy or series of policies whether it is kept in a few minds or in a written form.
When an acquisition policy is not well spelt out or well defined, there might be imperfect collection and mistakes in acquiring materials. Highlighting the challenge usually caused by lack of a well defined policy in collection development, Okpala (2000) stated that policy is a document which spelt out a plan of action and give information that are to guide decision thoughts and actions when acquiring or selecting materials.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOLY
Research design
This research uses the method of case study, supplemented with oral interviews and questionnaire to gather information from the library staff on stock acquisition.
The choice of the methodology is chosen to enable the researcher to study the situation systematically and accurately.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The study adopts survey research design. The term “survey” deals with interview and questionnaire. This is preparing questions to ask people or individuals in the area of research which could be written down or administered orally.
According to equipment-Resources (2008) had it that the aim of the study and nature of phenomenon determines the research design is used because the research is not trying to create a method or a way or means by which library materials should be acquired but rather, the research looks into already existing method of stock acquiring library materials, then suggest possible solutions and recommendations which could be necessary.
AREA OF STUDY
The research work is carried out in Imo state Legislature. Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
POPULATION
The population study is 55 legislators comprising of 5 staff and 50 legislators.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The analysis of responses and discussion of findings are based on the table below.
A poor information service is caused by the information services units of the legislature library.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary.
Book acquisition is the process of bringing into the library new materials to meet the wide and varying needs of the users book acquisition is meant to be a continuous process. As we all know, knowledge is not static, there are new development day in day out, so a library is expected to be acquire new materials as they are published.
Acquisition process is being carried out by a professional in the field of librarianship. Even though no library can acquire all that are needed by the users. He needs a guide and equally an assistance of some people and other neighboring libraries to meet the need of its users/patrons.
An acquisition policy is a guide for the librarian and it is a document that spells out a plan of action and gives information that are to guide decisions, actions and thoughts when acquiring materials for a library.
Library materials comprises print and non print materials which are systematically acquired, arranged for easy retrieval of information, knowledge research, relaxation and cultural enjoyment.
The various methods of acquisition can be through direct purchase, gift and donations, exchanges, legal deposits and inter library co-operation. All those methods are to be combined for acquisition in a library. No one should be left out.
The challenges encountered are lack of fund to build up the library book, challenge of staffing in the department/ library compared to the number of library users. There is also challenge of inadequacy of reading space and furniture. These challenges should be carefully looked into so as to improve the acquisition work of a library.
Genuine acquisition work is not just acquiring materials that are in the market but acquiring the relevant materials which are in line with academic programme of the institution. When a material goes out of use, those materials should be weeded so as to create space for new materials that you are to be acquired.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This is the researcher’s personal opinion on how book acquisition could be improved.
- The library should be re-organized, more skilled staff who are dedicated and knows much about different sections in the library should be employed.
- The researcher proposed that the institution’s management should not depend on the government grants alone but should try to allocate more fund to the acquisition department to enable it continue with providing materials for the users.
- The acquisition librarian should try as much as he can to follow the policy of acquiring materials if he wants to be in the right track, also for consistency and continuity.
- The acquisition librarian should bear in mind that he is not acquiring materials for himself but for the legislators and other users. Should Endeavour to satisfy the needs of the users.
CONCLUSION
In viewing the research, the library acquire most of its materials through gift and donations. Legislators of the institutions finds it difficult to go to the library because they do not acquire enough and up to date (current) materials. if the library is not well equipped or booked, legislators finds it difficult to retrieve information and up date themselves in the library. Table 1 shows that 90.9% of library materials are acquired through donations/gift and sometimes, these gifted materials will not cover the polytechnic curriculum.
REFERNCES
- Anyanwu E.O “Legislators Companion” Assembly Handbook, Lagos Triedrichs Ebert Stifling Press, P.G 6-10 (2003) A Worshop on Effective Management of Council in Imo State Fitled: An Overview of the Legislature: It’s Role in the Presidential System of Government Pg 1-5 (2003).
- Consultancy Report (February 1991): African Regional Centre For Information Science Legislature of Ibadan Ascon Badagry Pg 1820. Imo Legislature in the Fourth Republic by the Planning Research and Statistics Department, Owerri Pg 1-2 (19902003) Imo State House of Assembly Brochure, Pg 11, (1999).
- Jeggde O. (1994) “Law Libraries of the Future. Nigerian Association of Law Libraries Lagos P16 (1994).
- Manyland General Assembly (2006): Department of Legislature Services Journals June, 28,P.1.
- New Encyclopedia Britannica (1992(: 15th Ed. S.V. “Libraries Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.
- Nigeria Brochture (1980): Information on House of Assembly Imo State Published By The Information Division, Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Owerri Imo State P.1
