Nigerian University Libraries Research Articles

Users' assessment of library security: a Nigerian university case study

The paper examines the incidence of theft and mutilation of library materials, and gives users’ assessment of library security and factors that influence theft and mutilation among library users in Nigerian university libraries. Questionnaire method was used to obtain data. Of the users surveyed, 62.63 percent admitted that stealing and mutilation were common phenomena among library users. Some reasons given for this are: limited copies of library books, fear that one may not find the materials on the shelf and negligence of library security men. Suggestions were made on how to deal with culprits caught. The paper concludes by offering some useful suggestions on the way out of these problems.

Budgets and budgeting in selected Nigerian university libraries

In Nigerian university libraries, government allocations are the main source of revenue supporting library operations. However, the level of government support differs between federal and state institutions. This is despite the reality that all universities provide similar levels of education and graduates who competitively compete with one another for employment. This inequality prompted a study to identify the various sources of funds supporting academic libraries and to determine which were the most useful. Among the discoveries was that the budget is used as a long‐term development plan, helping the librarians prioritize their needs. The results of this survey suggested several courses of action, ranging from lobbying from more government support to increasing philanthropic outreach.

Staff discipline in Nigerian university libraries

This work surveys staff discipline in university libraries in Nigeria. Staff of two university libraries – University of Benin Library, Benin City and Delta State University Library, Abraka – were used as subjects for the investigation. By means of questionnaires, data were collected from respondents while data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed sex of respondents, categories of staff used, their working experience, disciplinary measures staff have been subjected to, behaviours/acts that elicited discipline as well as respondents' views on the disciplinary measures of the libraries. Recommendations are made in light of the findings.

The Treatment of Other Libraries' Books by Nigerian University Libraries

To find out how Nigerian university libraries treat books belonging to other libraries brought to their libraries by users, a questionnaire was sent to 36 university libraries during the 2001/2002 academic session. Responses were received from 23 (62.162%) of the university libraries. The study found that all the responding libraries have, at one time or the other, had cases where books from other libraries were brought into their libraries. Only four (17.39%) of the libraries have clearly stated policies as to how such books should be treated. The study concludes that it is the responsibility of libraries to ensure the security of other libraries' materials found in their libraries and recommends various methods of ensuring this. It also recommends the need for university libraries to beef up their security apparatus so as to minimize the number of incidents of books leaving their libraries illegally.

Binding for Bookstock Integrity in a Nigerian University Library

Abstract This article reports on the effort to preserve worn-out books in a Nigerian University of Technology against the backdrop of almost whole dependence on the importation of foreign imprints to promote scholarship and research in Nigerian universities. Shortages of books are currently so severe in Nigeria that some university programs stand to lose accreditation but direct replacement is problematic. Worn-out books create inaccessibility problems for library patrons and run counter to the spirit of Rangnathan's laws of library science. Through the quantitative analysis of a total of 503 worn-out books withdrawn from the shelves, the subject areas of the books were determined. The analysis revealed that one-fourth (24.9%) of the books were in the engineering sciences, 76 (15.1%) were in social sciences (economics, banking and finance, management sciences) texts, while 57 titles constituting one-tenth of the total were in the mathematical sciences (computer science, mathematics, statistics, operations...

Organization and Administration of Law Libraries in Nigerian Universities

Nigeria is a federal state with an estimated population of 120 million, making it the most populous country in Africa. For one hundred years, from 1861 when Lagos was colonized to 1960 when it gained its independence, Nigeria was under British colonial rule. There are about 400 nationalities in the country. In 1914, the Colony of Lagos and the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria that had been constituted over time during the colonial enterprise were amalgamated into one single colonial state.

The management of library development funds in the Nigerian University System

The aims and activities of the Nigerian Library Development Fund (LDF), established to ensure adequate funding for Nigerian university libraries, are described in the context of the organization of higher education in Nigeria as a whole. The study explores the position of university libraries within institutions and discusses the implications of the LDF for Nigerian university libraries. Particular attention is paid to the problems experienced by the LDF due to: non-conformity with specified criteria on the utilization of the fund such as very large balances of unused funds with only a fraction of the fund accounted for as expenditure returns; over-subscription for books and periodicals resulting in large deficits caused by spending over and above the available funds; the spreading of funds over several quarters with a larger proportion of the funds used in paying salaries of library staff thereby ignoring the purchase of books, periodicals and other office consumables; and problems associated with the exchange rate between the local currency and stronger international currencies in the purchase of foreign books, periodicals and library equipment. It is concluded that the National Universities Commission (NUC) should stipulate checks and sanctions for universities that fail repeatedly to utilize LDF resources rationally and according to set guidelines. These sanctions should include withholding subsequent allocations as punishment for the poor utilization of the earlier released funds.

The security of computer and other electronic installations in Nigerian university libraries

Theft from academic libraries is a growing universal problem. This paper examines computer theft and that of audio‐visual equipment at the University of Ilorin. It aims to focus the attention of library and information service managers to this unhealthy trend that could undermine the delivery of services. It informs managers and other policy makers about effective measures for combating theft from libraries in Nigerian universities.

Non‐tenured leadership appointments in Nigerian university libraries: problems and prospects

Discusses a recent amendment in Nigerian universities’ law that changed the appointments of university librarians, registrars and bursars from tenured to non‐tenured. Appointments to these posts which were formerly until retirement at 65 are now for a fixed period of five years in the first instance, renewable for another term of five years at the pleasure of the governing councils and no longer. The background to this development is given and its implications for leadership motivation, continuity of policy, issues of orderly succession and the fate of the former incumbents are explored. It concludes that in the present Nigerian context, the merit of the new order far out‐weighs its demerits in terms of the much desired attainment of full academic status for librarians and leadership motivation. However, care has to be taken to ensure the future of the former incumbents within the organisations if they are to perform selflessly during their limited tenure.

Five Decades of Nigerian University Library Buildings

This paper discusses Nigerian university library buildings from 1948, when the first university institution was established, up to 1998. Through the use of a questionnaire, study visits to 12 of the 31 university libraries, interviews with library staff and review of the literature, it was found that all Nigerian university libraries started from temporary sites. While all five first generation universities had their first permanent library buildings erected within the first decade of their establishment, only five of the eight second generation universities have moved into their permanent library buildings after over 25 years of existence. Of the 15 third generation universities established in the 1980s, only five have erected and occupied their permanent buildings. Library buildings of the first generation universities were found to be very standard and grand in design while the same cannot be said of most of their second and third generation counterparts. For libraries with permanent structures, the designs were mostly modular. The paper recommends that library buildings be given priority in universities' physical development plans and that realistic library building standards be formulated with the co-operation of the National Universities Commission, the Nigerian Library Association and the Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU).

Women Librarians and the Challenges of Information Technology in Nigerian University Libraries

Edited version of a paper presented at the 2nd International Conference of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS) Abuja, Nigeria, 5–10 September, 2000. Women librarians form a considerable proportion of the academic staff of university libraries in Nigeria. Focuses on their status, role and position in the university library from the perspective of information technology in the new millennium, identifying the challenges of the future and offering trends towards their solution. Advances in information technology have made a lot of impact on information processing, storage and dissemination in the developed countries. Nigeria, as a developing country, has accepted the principle that better information management lies in the use of technology. This principle must be put into practice if the country is to achieve the maximum efficiency in information delivery and communication. Women librarians in university libraries are well-equipped to contribute towards this.

Five Decades of Nigerian University Library Buildings

This paper discusses Nigerian university library buildings from 1948, when the first university institution was established, up to 1998. Through the use of a questionnaire, study visits to 12 of the 31 university libraries, interviews with library staff and review of the literature, it was found that all Nigerian university libraries started from temporary sites. While all five first generation universities had their first permanent library buildings erected within the first decade of their establishment, only five of the eight second generation universities have moved into their permanent library buildings after over 25 years of existence. Of the 15 third generation universities established in the 1980s, only five have erected and occupied their permanent buildings. Library buildings of the first generation universities were found to be very standard and grand in design while the same cannot be said of most of their second and third generation counterparts. For libraries with permanent structures, the designs were mostly modular. The paper recommends that library buildings be given priority in universities' physical development plans and that realistic library building standards be formulated with the co-operation of the National Universities Commission, the Nigerian Library Association and the Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU).

Managing an acquisition windfall: a Nigerian university library experience

This paper discusses the problems of managing an acquisition windfall in a Nigerian university library after over a decade of acquisition drought brought about as a result of a serious downturn in the economy. The windfall, which came in the form of a World Bank $120 million facility to 20 federally owned Nigerian universities for the purchase of books, journals, library and laboratory equipment as well as staff training and expatriate supplementation, drastically changed acquisition patterns and rates in the affected university libraries. The responses by the library of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to the challenges of involving the faculty in the book selection processes, ensuring balance, processing the orders and receiving the materials into the library are highlighted. Post World Bank faculty prospects of Nigerian university libraries are also explored.

Job rotation in academic libraries: the situation in a Nigerian university library

Reports a study of staff opinion concerning job rotation at the University of Ilorin Library. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. It was found that the reaction to the possible introduction of job rotation was generally positive. It is suggested that the library manager should consider the introduction of a policy of job rotation policy in the library and indicates an approach that could be used when it is introduced.

Five Decades of Nigerian University Libraries: A Review

This paper reviews the growth of Nigerian university libraries from 1948 when the first university institution was established in the country up to 1998. Issues relating to their governance, funding, physical facilities, staffing, services and application of IT (Information Technologies) are reviewed through the literature. The paper concludes that there has been considerable quantitative growth in the number of university libraries over this period. The qualitative aspects relating to funding, stock, physical facilities and application of IT, however, leave much to be desired owing to the economic downturn the country has experienced in the last two decades. The paper recommends that the university sector, and by implication their libraries, should be better funded. Access to foreign exchange for timely acquisition of books and journals is considered very important as over 80% of the tertiary level book needs of the country are met by imported literature.

Appraising staffing patterns in a Nigerian university library, 1981‐1997

This paper discusses the staffing patterns at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Library, Bauchi, Nigeria from 1981‐1997. The expansion and scope of services of the library, application of modern technologies to library operations and funding dictated the staffing policy to a large extent. The difficulties encountered in getting the right calibre of staff, both professional/academic and supporting were highlighted. Finally, suggestions were posited for effective staffing of libraries in Nigeria.

Issues in career advancement prospects among librarians in Nigerian universities

Survey data were used to examine some issues, obstacles and the structure of career advancement prospects in Nigerian universities which was found to be slow and frustrating to reach the peak by practising librarians. The survey results indicate that 147 respondents (73 per cent) identified and rated the combination of professional duties with the academic work of publishing as their greatest obstacle to career advancement, whereas 25 librarians (12 per cent) indicate inadequate opportunities to reach the rank of university librarian as their second greatest obstacle. Furthermore, empirical results show that 12 respondents (6 per cent) indicated a lack of higher educational qualifications in librarianship as their third obstacle and ten respondents (5 per cent) indicated the lack of a generally accepted laid down policy on promotion criteria as their fourth problem, whereas eight respondents (4 per cent) indicated being uncomfortable with the unnecessary emphasis on publication output at the expense of performance of professional duties as their fifth obstacle. Issues such as the appointment of professors in university libraries, higher educational qualifications for librarians, retirement benefits and uniformity in designations were identified and solutions proffered. The author recommends the creation of new positions at the top to reduce frustration and stagnation

Job satisfaction and publication output among librarians in Nigerian universities

Survey data were used to determine the influence of job satisfaction on the publication output of librarians in Nigerian universities. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 202 librarians working in 22 out of the 35 university libraries in Nigeria. A multiple regression statistical analysis was employed to examine the influence of job satisfaction on publication output of librarians. The results of the empirical analysis indicate that of the six dimensions of job satisfaction used in the study, only three (librarians’ levels of satisfaction with their achievement responsibility and recognition) had a significant influence on their publication output. Other dimensions including salary, university library policies and administration, and supervision, had no significant influence on their publication output. The study also reveals that the intrinsic job satisfaction dimensions were the greatest influence on the quantity of publications among the sample population. This should be given top priority. However, the extrinsic job satisfaction dimensions which do not influence publication output should not be neglected, rather they could be improved to enhance job satisfaction and raise publication productivity.

Library staff welfare committee: its role in library management in Nigeria

Effective and efficient services will be difficult to attain in an organisation where disharmony and grievances thrive ‐ be it between staff and management, or among the staff themselves. The paper examines the role of a library staff welfare committee in the running of a Nigerian university library, and the social services offered to its members. Discusses the history, issues that plagued the scheme, the reactivation process, and the election of a democratic welfare committee. Concludes that the study has provided answers to some management problems in the library, while it points out that members prefer to be directed by their elected leaders. Suggests that a close working relationship is needed between library management and the welfare committee.

Library security, materials theft and mutilation in technological university libraries in Nigeria

Librarians across the world are increasingly concerned with the safety and physical integrity of valuable intellectual properties. The scenario in developing countries is exacerbated by economic difficulties. A survey of the problem in the Nigerian universities of technology revealed that in common with their traditional counterparts, they are not immune from theft and mutilation. Reference and periodical materials are the most likely materials that will be mutilated. Librarians could neither curb nor stem the problem. All of the libraries still rely solely on manual checks carried out by unskilled personnel at the library entrance and exit. The high cost of photocopying and frequent breakdown of copiers were the causes of library material theft and mutilation. Only 14 per cent of the respondents indicated greediness. There is a compelling need for the Committee of the University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU) to address the problem and put in place measures that would effectively monitor this crime, or else the Nigerian university libraries will soon be empty.