The Changing Budgetary Emphasis of University Libraries in the Online Technologies Era

Abstract

This paper surveys the changing pattern of budgetary emphasis in university libraries in the era of electronic services. Drawing from the contingency theory, the findings indicate that there has been, in the last few years, a fast shift in the contents of university libraries holdings. The paper affirms that emphasis has greatly shifted from hard-wares in the form of books to electronic holdings and carry with it remarkable budgetary implications. The data collection methods combined primary and secondary sources. The primary source is made up of qualitative study of two universities in Ghana and Nigeria. The secondary source includes literature reviews from publications by other experts. The paper supports the view that the use of online platforms has yielded to less spending for greater service quality to the library users. The paper recommends more strategic investments in library holdings through wider linkage with online library service providers in a manner that ensures increasing service quality to all categories of library users. The universities and library managements should ensure that the accompanying IT hard- and soft- wares are adequately provided for in the budget. The paper will help universities and library managements understand and respond appropriately to the changing needs of the environment. Key words: budgetary emphasis; Online services; Strategic investments; Library managements; Service providers; Electronic holding