Application of Collection Development Policies in Academic Libraries in North West, Nigera

ABSTRACT

This research work investigated the application of collection development policies in academic libraries in North West, Nigeria.

The study was guided by six specific objectives which includes to: ascertain the availability of collection development policies; ascertain the content of collection development policies; determine the extent of application of collection development policies.

Ascertain the perceived benefits of the application of collection development policies in achieving the objectives of the libraries; investigate the constraints to the application of collection development policies among the academic libraries;

and suggest strategies to enhance the application of collection development policies in academic libraries of North West, Nigeria.

A descriptive research design was used for the study. The area of the study was North West, Nigeria. A total population of 166 respondents consisting of all professional library staff of 10 out of 35 academic libraries in the zone was sampled and used.

The instrument for data collected and used were; questionnaire, interview and observation checklists. The instruments developed in accordance with the research questions were face validated by three expert lecturers from the Department of Library and Information science, and the researcher’s supervisor.

The researcher with the help of one trained research assistant from each academic library studied distributed 166 copies of the questionnaire to professional librarians in ten academic libraries, 160 were duly filled and returned, representing 96% of the total population.

Simple percentages, frequencies, table and means scores were used for data presentation and analysis. The study was designed to ascertain the availability of policies on collection development in academic library in North West Nigeria.

The results of the findings revealed that major obstacle in the application of collection development policies in academic libraries are; lack of funds, administrative bottle necks, effect of ICT among others. Some suggestions were given as;

The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) should create a standard policy for academic libraries’ on their material collection development, and ensure compliance by all academic libraries. Efforts should be made to recruit more librarians in academic libraries in North West, Nigeria.

The researcher conclusively, suggest that for application of collection development to be meaningful and realistic in academic libraries, officers in-charge of collection development need to be committed,

appropriately trained formally and informally, and also be willing to spend considerable time and energy to develop useful and relevant policies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page – – – – – – – – – – i
Approval Page – – – – – – – – – ii
Certification Page – – – – – – – – – iii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgements – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – – vii
Lists of Appendices – – – – – – – – – ix
Lists of table – – – – – – – – – – x
Lists of Figures – – – – – – – – – xi
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study – – – – – – – 1
Statement of the Problem – – – – – – – 11
Purpose of the Study – – – – – – – – 12
Research Questions – – – – – – – – 13
Significance of the Study – – – – – – – 14
Scope of the Study – – – – – – – – 15

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Conceptual Framework. – – – – – – – – 16
Concept of Academic Library – – – – – – 17
Collection Development in academic libraries – – – – 17
Collection Development Policy – – – – – – 24
Availability of Collection Development policies on Collection Development in Academic Libraries – 26
Contents of Collection Development Policies in Academic Libraries – – 29
Extent of Application of Collection Development Policies in Academic Libraries – 31
Perceived Benefits of Application of Collection Development Policies in Achieving the Objectives of Libraries – 32
Constraints to the Application of Collection Development Policies among the Academic Libraries -35
Strategies for Enhancing the Application of Collection Development Policies in Academic Libraries – – 38
Review of Related Empirical Studies – – – – – – 40
Summary of Literature Review – – – – – – – 47

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD – – – – – 49

Design of the study – – – – – – – – 49
Area of the Study – – – – – – – – 49
Population of the Study – – – – – – – 50
Sample and Sampling Technique – – – – – – 50
Instrument for Data Collection – – – – – – 51
Validation of Instrument – – – – – – – 52
Method of Data Collection – – – – – – – 53
Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – – 53

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF DATA – – – – 55

CHAPTER FIVE: DICUSSION AND CONCLUSION – – – – 64

Discussions of the Findings – – – – – – – 64
Implication of the Study – – – – – – – 68
Recommendations – – – – – – – – 70
Limitations of the Study – – – – – – – 71
Suggestion for further Research – – – – – – 71
Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 72
REFERENCES – – – – – – – – – 74

INTRODUCTION 

Academic libraries are libraries established in institutions of higher learning. Uwaifo (2010) defines academic library as those libraries established and maintained by higher/tertiary institutions of learning such as universities, polytechnics, colleges of educations, school of nursing, school of health technologies, petroleum training institutes etc.

Aina (2004) stated that, academic institutions are categorised mainly into two namely; university and non-university institutions such as, colleges of education, polytechnics, school of nursing, and others, other than secondary schools.

Libraries in these institutions perform functions directly related to the  mission of each institution they serve. Libraries of these institutions according to Dara (2005) are established to be the source of the procurement and supply of textbooks, journals, and adequate current valuable information to promote academic excellence.

The central function of an academic library is to support the teaching, learning and research programmes of the institution by acquiring adequate print and non-print information resources and audio-visual materials, and make them available for use by students, faculty members and researchers in general.

These libraries are established in their various institutions in order to support all  academic work, and achieve the objectives of academic libraries which are to provide adequate information resources for teaching, learning and researches for all users.

REFERENCES

Abalaka, B.F. (2010). Acquisition Practice in state university libraries in North Central Zone of Nigeria. Unpublished MLS project, Department of library and information science, university of Nigeria Nsukka
Abubakar, D. (2007). Availability, needs and use of information sources by lecturer and researchers of faculty of environmental science, University of Jos, Nigeria. Borno Library, Archival and information sciences Journal, 6 (2), 60-69.
Adedibu L. O. (2006). Collection Development Policy: The Case of University  of  Ilorin Library. Journal of Nigerian Library Association, 39 (2), 11-14
Adekanmbi, A.R. (2007). Availability and use of collection development policies in college of education libraries, Botswana. African Journal of Library, Archives and
Adomi, E. E. (2006). Collection development and Management in context. Warri Goddick Publishers.
Afullo, T. J. (2000). Global Information and Africa: The Telecommunication Infrastructure for Cyberspace. Library Management. 21 (4), 205-213.

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