Assessment of Library and Information Services in Support of Researchers and Librarians at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Nigeria

Abstract

The study that directed this article aimed to assess the opinions of industrial researchers and librarians regarding library and information services provided by the research library of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Nigeria. The library of the modern era is expected to develop naturally, growing bigger to accommodate different kinds of information resources and services for better information provision to its users. This study set out to determine if library and information services at FIIRO were indeed answering this call. A mixed-methods design was adopted with the use of questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and observation for data collection. It was found that both groups, the industrial researchers and the librarians, were not satisfied with the library and information services offered by the institute’s library. Poor funding, lack of political will by the management and government authorities, and the lack of internet connectivity were highlighted as some of the main problems facing library fitness. In order to improve these services of information provision, the study recommends several innovations, mainly that librarians should be involved in management decisions, especially in the formulation of library policies and strategies.