IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the Implementation of Information Resource Development Policy in Academic Libraries in Kaduna State. To achieve the objectives of the study, five research questions were formulated and answered. Survey research method was adopted for the study while structured questionnaire and interview were the instrument used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed descriptively. The respondents were asked the following questions: the extent of coverage in the policy, implementation and evaluation of the policy. The findings revealed that only three out of the seven academic libraries studied have a written information resource development policy. The findings also revealed that the Information Resource Development Policy of the Academic libraries in Kaduna State with written policy contain most of the components of information resource development policy and this components is extensively covered in the development of their resource. However, the study further revealed that not all the acquisition librarians are aware of the year of establishment of the policy and how frequently it is revised. It was also discovered that the information resource development policy of the libraries with written policy is fully guided for resource development and the changing information needs of patrons have to some extent affected the implementation of the policy. The study recommended that, Academic Libraries in Kaduna State should have a standard, written and functional Information Resource Development Policy that will help the library in the selection, acquisition and management of information resource in order to meet the aims and objectives of the library and institution at large.

Background to the Study

The library is the nerve center of academic activities in universities and is a bank of knowledge with varied and useful information carried in different kinds of material, each of which has its unique way of handling. The academic library is an important agent in the pursuit of academic excellence in higher institution. Its main goal, according to Umuakwe and Oyebinama (2009), is to support the objectives of the host institution which has to do with learning, teaching, research and administration.

Academic libraries, according to Oyelude (2002), are libraries that are found in tertiary institutions which include universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. However, these academic libraries in universities are also regarded as research libraries because among their objectives are the provision of materials in support of postgraduate, faculty, external and collaborative researches. This shows that libraries are very important in institutions of higher learning because they assist the institutions to achieve their aims and objectives by providing information that will meet the information needs of the users. It is also evident that, the extent to which the institution is able to carry out its laudable objectives portrays how well the institution’s library has been supportive in the provision of all the essential information resources.

A deficient collection that is built on uninformed decision can have adverse effects on the academic library and subsequently in attainment of the goals of the parent institution. Therefore, every academic library requires a workable information resource development policy to guide its decision on resource development. The academic library is charged with the responsibility of ensuring academic performance through collection building, maintenance access and use. In addition, it supports the attainment of goals of its parent institution. Adeyemi (1991) observed the roles which academic libraries must play to assist in achieving the goals of their parent institutions viz:

• Maintenance of adequate information resources, monographic and serials.

• Bibliographic activities of newspaper clipping, indexing and abstracting of reference aids and sources;

• National and international library cooperation, lending and resource sharing.

• Reliable reprographic and document delivery services;

• Well trained and dedicated staff;

• Display and exhibition of reference stock.

Therefore, for academic libraries to achieve its optimum goal, it must stock adequate and relevant collections. Such collections, according to Kent and Lancour (1971) include amongst others books, manuscripts, serials, government publications, pamphlets, catalogue, reports, recordings, microfilms, microfiche and micro cards, punched cards, computer tapes e.t.c. Other collections that have recently been added to libraries are the internet, electronic and digital resources.

The development of an academic library collection is not just the duty of the librarian; it is a cooperative effort between librarians and the teaching faculties. A deficient collection can have an adverse implication on the institution. It is because of this that Olanlokun and Adekanye (2005) averred that it is imperative that the collection must be developed in such a way that it will meet the aspiration of the library patrons.

This implies that it is only with adequate library collection policy that academic libraries could reach the academic goals of their parent institutions. As Chukwu (1998) pointed out, the major indicator of a good library is the quality of its collection.

Information Resources

Information resource, according to Ojedokun (2007), is a term often misused and or interchangeably used to mean information source. According to him, information resource include data, the processes used to convert this into useful information, the equipment and technology required to use this information and the people involved in making best use of the information. Examples of information resources include computers, computer networks, electronic files and data, people and printed materials. Fayose (2000) identified information resources as those materials which enable libraries to carry out their functions effectively which are made of books and other information bearing media. Information resources, therefore, include everything that is used in providing the required information service to the client. This means that, library’s information resource transcends just books and journals to include none book, electronic, and even virtual in addition to human resources. All these are necessary because, for libraries to be able to carry out their functions effectively, they must develop their collections to cut across all disciplines and satisfy the information needs of their users.

Hence, every library, especially academic library aimed at collecting, organizing and disseminating information to users. This is because the place of information resources in the library can never be over emphasized. Hence, the library needs to do all that it can to ensure that the relevant resources required by the library users are developed.