Library Funding and Sustainable Development of Higher Education

Abstract

The curiosity to produce manpower to accelerate the actualization of educational and developmental goals in Sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated the clamor for the sustainable development of higher education. African leaders have realized that higher education stimulates the development of the capabilities of the existing and future generations to accomplish sustainable livelihoods and well-being within peaceful and democratic societies. This study investigated the role of library funding in the sustainable development of higher education, using a descriptive survey research design. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. A questionnaire was used to obtain data from librarians in tertiary institutions in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. The study found that library funding is a must in ensuring the sustainability of higher education. The major source of library funding is from the founding bodies (founders). Other sources of funds are not adequately exploited. The frequency of getting funds for major library projects and the extent of budgetary provision for the acquisition of information resources to corroborate sustainable development of higher education are low. It was recommended that higher educational institutions should continually devote a substantial proportion of their budget to the procurement of library information resources and infrastructure that are germane to the current trends in education and industry.