Collection development policy and utilization of academic library resources in Nigeria

Abstract

This research work examined the roles of collection development policy towards utilization of academic library resources in three (03) public universities in Ogun State. The study adopted the use of descriptive survey research design and employed total enumeration sampling techniques to sample forty five (45) academic librarians in the study area. However, thirty seven (37) academic librarians form the sample size for the study which gave a response rate of 82.2%. Primary data collected through structured and validated questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics (simple percentage, means and standard deviation). Findings showed that collection development policy have a positive impact on utilization of academic libraries resources in the areas like assisting academic libraries in the procurement of library information/materials resources such as textbooks, journals article, monograph, reference materials, databases, computes etc. It was also gathered that, inadequate funding, attitude of the university management, high cost of information resources and materials due to exchange rate fluctuation, increase demand for information/materials resources by library patrons among others were factors affecting collection development policy toward utilization of library information resources. Furthermore, findings revealed that in order to encourage the use library information/materials resources, academic libraries should ensure that collection development be based on users and faculty request, be in line with the stipulated curriculum, purchase must be built on quality resources, exchange rate fluctuation must be take into consideration before making procurement among others. It is therefore recommended that the head of academic library must ensure that all fund release to the library either the 10% from the management or the accrued TETFUND intervention be judiciously utilized. Also, while building collections, either old or new, the collection development librarian(s) should make sure that all disciplines within the jurisdiction of the university were covered and well represented without any bias or prejudice.