The research objective is to discover the user satisfaction with library resources and services in Nigerian Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) In conducting this study, the survey research design was adopted with User Satisfaction with Library Resources and Services Questionnaire (USLRSQ) and structured interview as major instruments for data collection. The questionnaire was administered on 340 researchers from the entire 14 agricultural research institute in Nigeria. The overall response rate was 73.5%. The research data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. The study revealed that research library materials are obsolete. The study concluded that agricultural research institute libraries in Nigeria are not satisfying the users. This is largely due to gross under-funding of the libraries by the parent institutions. Measures recommended to improve the effectiveness of the research libraries include increased funding and prompt release of all approved funds to the libraries, the provision of Internet access in the library and periodic evaluation of the research libraries' effectiveness by user approach.

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User Satisfaction with Library Resources and Services in Nigerian Agricultural Research Institutes

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2015

The use of information and communication technologies for the support of knowledge management in selected academic libraries in Nigeria and South Africa

Introduction Libraries and information centres play an essential role in meeting society's information needs. Information Technology (IT) in libraries is having a remarkable impact worldwide. It has become a phenomenon that is so pervasive that nearly all academic libraries in Nigeria have begun applying IT. Omekwu (2004) observes that: Information Technology has brought about varieties of form of libraries and mode of disseminating information. There are now available such libraries as Automated Library, Polymedia Libraries, Electronic Libraries, Virtual Libraries and Digital Libraries. Each of triese forms of IT induced Library System has its own specific features, requirements, service mode, and associated problems. Nwalo (2000) observes the application of IT to library services has brought about tremendous improvement and makes possible more services. Mosuro (2000) reiterates the relevance of IT to library functions and services: Over the years, advances in the area of IT have offered Library and Information Centres more efficient ways of acquiring, organizing, storing and disseminating information. New Information Technologies are becoming an integral component of and have the potential of changing the status quo of libraries and librarianship. Computers as well as other information technology have come to play prominent roles in information management. It is unthinkable that any academic library can function effectively without the appropriate use IT . Mohammed (2004) comments that, Electronic and computer technology have come in to remove most of the limitations of access and use of information resources and services. Instead of "written word", we now have "electronic word" existing as bits and bytes of computer memory. Ramesh (2006) observes that new IT is changing the face of libraries because of the advent of the Internet. Virtual libraries can be a threat to the existence of the traditional libraries. He further identified such media as: Multimedia services * E-mail * Voice mail * Discussion group * Bulletin board * Chat sessions * Online reference * Web pages Padmini and Kishore (2006), writing on professional challenges in the digital library environment in India, comment that IT is making its way vigorously into libraries and information centres there. More and more libraries are being computerized, and several information networks are developing at national and local levels. Examples of such Omekwu (2004) summarizes the phenomenal developments, saying that, the "hi-tech information system have invaded the traditional domain of the printed media." The application of IT to libraries in Nigeria is yet to attain acceptable international standards. Ochogwu (2004) observes that many Nigerian libraries still use conventional tools that have become outmoded. Academic libraries have made the most progress. Many have automated their functions and services, while some are in different stages of automation. In these libraries, the pattern of information handling, provision of services, and participation in library cooperation has been transformed. As a result of that effort, this article focuses on IT and quality assurance in Nigerian academic libraries. Quality Assurance and Academic Libraries Quality products and services delivery are a essential in the competitive capitalistic economy. Manufacturers and service providers are deeply involved in producing quality products and services in order to control their share of the market. The demand for quality by consumers led to the establishment of standard organizations, locally and internationally. Quality standards have been introduced into manufacturing, healthcare, education, service, and governance in Nigeria. Most products produced locally or imported carry the stamp of certification. …

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Information Technology, Quality Assurance, and Academic Library Management

IntroductionThere has been a significant shift of emphasis from one writing material to another over the years. The format of library resources has also changed with the demand of time and the advances in technology through the ages. Stones and clay tablets gave way to papyrus and, parchments. The use of paper as an information holding document brought a great leverage to the users of the ancient writing materials. Thus books became the dominant information material of notable value then. Till now, books still remain relevant. However because of the flexibility of use of electronic based information materials, books are gradually being replaced by electronic materials. Many libraries have transformed and are transforming their resources through digitization process from paper to electronic.According to Shidi (2011), 21st century libraries have therefore been transformed from traditional status of store house of information materials (mostly print) into information centres where Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are used to acquire, process, store, retrieve and disseminate information. The emphasis on print resources or total dependence on them is no longer reasonable. This is because, apart from cost, delay, bulkiness etc that characterise print resources, print has a deficiency of assuming that everyone learns at the same pace and in the same manner and is therefore not sufficient in today's high- tech. multi-sensory approach to learning (Watson, 2005). Digital technology has therefore become a major resource used by librarians to enhance effective services delivery. Also it has a good number of advantages over the traditional library system which include: No physical boundary, Round the clock availability, Multiple accesses (a number of users can access the same material at the same time) and Preservation and conservation (can be reproduced several times without wear and tear). Other advantages are: Space saving, Networking ability, Cost saving and very friendly user search and retrieval interface (LISwiki, 2010).Electronic resources, according to AACR2, are "materials consisting of data and/or computer program(s) encoded for reading and manipulation by a computer by the use of a peripheral device directly connected to the computer or remotely via a network such as the Internet" (as cited by Reitz, 2005, p. 244). They are electronic sources that are made available electronically and can also be accesses as such (electronically) through such facilities like online computer catalogs, the Internet and World Wide Web, digital libraries and archives, government portals and websites, CD-ROM databases, online academic databases such as Medline Online, or commercial databases such as LEXIS and NEXIS all of which are computer networked facilities (Ekwelem, Okafor & Ukwoma, 2009). International Records Management Trust (2009, p, 5) define an electronic record as they call it as anycomponent of information created electronically that forms part of an electronic record and that is usually stored separately within the digital file making up the electronic record as a whole. Every electronic record consists of at least one digital object, component or element, such as the bits of data that come together to create a word processed document. And some electronic records, such as photographs, video clips or web pages, may contain many different objects or elementsDigital library according to Waters, In Gary (1998 p1) are:organizations that provide the resources, including the specialized staff, to select, structure, offer intellectual access to, interpret, distribute, preserve the integrity of, and ensure the persistence over time of collections of digital works so that they are readily and economically available for use by a defined community or set of communities.In a simple term, "it is an organized collection of digitized material or its holding in the digital form, which can be accessible by a computer on the network by using TCP/IP or other protocol" (LIS wiki, 2010, p1). …

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The Significance of Electronic Resources and Digital Library Theories for Skills Development of Library Staff in Nigeria

Introduction Library technical services include selection, acquisition, cataloguing, classification, typing, binding, conservation, and related services (Nwalo, 2003:117). They can be classed as the "behind the scenes" services that are done before users can make use of library services. This paper focuses on technical services in an electronic or computer-based library system and the need for budgeting in libraries, including requirements or considerations when budgeting, technical services in a consortium, and best practices in budgeting. Budgeting standards for automated technical services are recommended. The Need for Budgeting in Libraries A budget is a guide or directive for fiscal management. Libraries need funds for services, and these services must be budgeted for. Fletcher (1990) gives two definitions of a budget, calling it "the overall picture of ... allocations (for expenditure) and ... income," as well as "the financial allocation for specific purpose or purposes during a given period." Although libraries are service-oriented and have little or no revenue-generating motives or objectives, they still obviously require a budget. Technical services is not a significant source of income in the library system. Very small amounts of income are made from reprography and binding, but the amount is infinitesimal compared to the funds expended on technical services. The need for budgets in libraries is increasingly important. In public institutions, government funding continues to dwindle. The literature (books and journals) that must be managed continues to grow. There is an increasing demand for online resources and services. Libraries must effectively divide funds between staff and materials, which include acquisitions, services, and equipment. Library fiscal management is becoming more decentralized. Current trends give a measure of financial control to divisional, sectional, and unit librarians. It is within this framework that budgeting for library technical services is approached. Technical Services Budget Considerations A number of studies have been carried out on budgets and financing of library services (Rosenberg & Raseroka, 2000; Ubogu, 2003; Smallen and McCredie, 2003; Emojorho, 2004); however, budgeting for technical services has received little attention. Most discussions of budgeting for technical services use a line-item budget as a focus. A line budget itemizes elements of the budget, which add up to the totality of what the library hopes to spend in any fiscal year. Perhaps the most important item to budget for in technical services is personnel.Personnel, for these services can be broken into three: Professional staff, technical staff, and auxiliaries. Tools, equipment, and supplies are also important, and services and functions are also included in the technical services budget, as is equipment maintenance. Those include cataloguing and catalogue maintenance, labeling, binding, serials control, and reprography, as well as others, depending on the type of library and its goals. Especially when libraries are automated, there should be guaranteed sources of funding. Automation is more expensive than manual systems. When libraries are planning for automation, not enough may be allocated and some costs are either underestimated or overlooked. Smallen and McCredie (2003) prescribe solutions that go beyond "budget dust," i.e., using funds that come as windfalls, that come occasionally, and that cannot be relied on to be available on an ongoing basis. Technical Services within Consortia Consortia are a form of cooperation or resource sharing among groups of libraries and information centers. In technical services, cooperative acquisition, joint cataloguing and classification, and shared union catalogues are aspects that are shared. Library consortia encourage participating libraries to digitize collections, create online catalogues, and improve information technology (Sam, 2005). …

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Budgeting for Library Technical Services in an Electronic Age

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Irene B. Hoadley

Papers

Academic Libraries; State of the Art.