Repositioning of University Libraries for National Development: A Case study of two Universities in Niger State

Abstract

The study focused on the repositioning of two academic libraries In Niger State for national development. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. A total of 74 professional and para-professional staff from the two universities formed the population of the study However, since the population was not large and manageable, the researchers used the whole population for the study Questionnaire and observation were the instruments used for data collection. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count, percentages and mean. The findings of the study revealed that information resources such as textbooks/e-books, journals/e-journals. newspapers, magazines and many others were available. However, the availability of these resources was found to be inadequate and up to date. Services offered by the university libraries covered by this study include lending services, reference services, e-library services and OPAC The study also revealed that inadequate funding, unstable power supply, insufficient staff training and lack of ICT facilities were the major challenges facing the repositioning of university libraries in Niger State. The study recommended that government should endeavour to provide adequate funds, libraries should source for funds to compliment government efforts, provision of alternative source of power supply; ICT facilities and staff training should be paramount in order to meet up with the current trends in Library and Information Science profession that could contribute to national development