Strategies For Effective Management Of College Library Resources

Project and Seminar Material for Library and Information Science

Abstract

The study is on strategies for effective management of college library resources. The study is broken down under the following concepts college library resources, feature of college libraries, strategies for library resources management in college library and sustainable approach to library resources-management in college libraries. The process of data collection of the study was suided by eight objectives and research questions formulated for the study.

The objectives of the study are

To identify the strategies adopted by A.I.F.C.E library to manage its resources.
To identify whether A.I.F.C.E. library has qualified Para-professionals for managing its resources.
To ascertain whether working tools are provided for the management of resources at A.I.F.C.E.
Library staffs to proper shelving and shelf reading. To find out whether A.I.F.C.E library is adequately staff to manage its resources.
To determine whether A.I.F.C.E library is computerized for resource management etc.

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Library resources are very important in the libraries and also in the college libraries. It plays a very vital role by provision information resources to this seeking information. Resources are processed, acquired to make for easily location, retrieval and use.

Pursuant to Nnadimele, 2005) a library is a collection of records of human culture in print and non-print book materials organized housed and interpreted by an information scientist or librarian to meet the broad varying needs of people for information.

Pursuant to (Omuiko,2004) college libraries are those libraries found in polytechnic college of technology, college of education and college of agriculture. The nature of information materials stored in line with the nature of seeking. As it is in every library, this college library has many unit with heads which manages those resources.

The resources are acquired to satisfy the information needs of the library clientele and to realize the parent institution goals. These resources are of two types: prints and non-print materials.

Pursuant to (Obiora, 2004), the print materials are the reference books text book, mimeographs, monographs, these maps, conference, proceeding, journals and newspapers. Non-print materials include slides, files microfiche, and utrafiche etc.

These resources are managed in the library thus management according to (Umunna, 2009), defined it as a team work, he further says that management interprets the policy made by the administration. Another scholar, (Onwubiko, 2004) sees management as the process of planning, organizing, co-ordinating and controlling the effect of organization and of using all other organization goals.

Therefore, library resources has strategies for its effective management which are planning, organizing, directing, staffing controlling and co0ordinating not only that it involves taking care and preserving them against damages of any kind, checking the human (i.e.) the library users to that will not miss-manage vandalized these resources while using them.

Another fantastic way is by financing these resources and also providing visible services like photocopying, binding, reference services etc. there are strategies for managing library resources these strategies are cataloguing and classification abstracting and indexing shelving and shelf-reading information repackaging and others.

For a while now, there was problem of managing library resources in college libraries this is because of inadequate qualified professional’s non-provision of working tools. The reason for this study is to carryout survey on the strategies for effective managing library resources at Alvan federal college of education library Owerri, remedy would proffer to identify problems.

1.2 Statement of Problems

Library staffs in A.I.F.C.F. faces problem in their bid to manage their library resources such as wrong cataloguing and classification, poor shelving and shelf-reading, lack of working tools, lack of qualified professionals and others which constitute problems to the management of A.I.F.C.E. library resources.
This work means to check difficulties faces the management of A.I.F.C.E. Resources and proffered solution to the identified problems.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To identify the strategies adopted by A.I.F.C.E. Library to manage its resources.
To identify whether A.I.F.C.E. Library has qualified professional for managing its resources.
To ascertain whether working tools are provided for the management of resources at A.I.F.C.E. library.
To determine whether A.I.F.C.E. staffs do proper shelving and shelf-reading.
To find out whether A.I.F.C.E. library is adequately staff to mange its resources.
To proffer solutions to identified problems.

1.4 Research Question

What are the strategies adopted by A.I.F.C.E. library in managing its resources?
What are the working tools provided for managing resources at A.I.F.C.E. library?
What are the problems in A.I.F.C.E. library resources?
Does A.I.F.C.E. library computerized for resource management?
Does qualified professional manage A.I.F.C.E. library resources?
What is the solution to these problems?

1.5 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is on the strategies for effective management of college library resources with particular reference to the library A.I.F.C.E. Owerri.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will go a long way in advancing knowledge in the field of management of library resources.
Besides, this work will be useful to those who may engage in carry out research on this area study related area not only that the finding of this study and the recommendation will broad our knowledge and enable libraries especially college libraries to know the strategies that will enhance effective management of library resources.

1.7 History of Alvan Ikoku Federal College Of Education

Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri which is the institution under study was before known as Avan Ikoku College of Education Owerri and then it was established in 1963 as an advance teachers training college.
To promote research and advancement of science and learning, and to improve the intellectual performance of the study in the institution etc.

The highest administration of the college is a body which is composed of the following; the chairman appointed by the administration, the two representatives of universities and institution of higher chief adviser on education, tree other persons appointed by the administration.

The college is in affiliation with the UNN to award the Bachelor of education degree.

Alvan Ikoku was charged to Alvan Ikoku federal college of education on 1st January 2007 and was commissioned by minister for education now removed, by name Mrs. Comfort Nwachukwu and currently professor Ngozi Uwazuruki is the provost.

It’s Library

Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education library is located at the West area of the administrative block. It occupies and a floor area and house over 25,280 volumes and seating capacity of 280 readers. It is organized into the following section with different people heading them. Reference section M.E. Onwuana, Binding section, Mr. Alfred Nwanyi, – Cata-class section H.C. Okorie, Acquisition section –Mr. M.U. Anuebo,s erial section Mrs. Oziriocha Clara, Circulations section Mr. A.N. Njiribeako and a genral head who is an acting head Mrs. Uchenna Nwaiwu.

The library has resources which can be followed by registered readers for a period of 14 days. There are also special studies collections. These include the local studies on: health, physical education and home resources.

The library is open to all students of the institution even students from other institution, lecturers and non-academic staff of the college. It opens by 8 am daily and closes by 4-6Pm. It does not open on weekends and public holidays.

1.8 Definition of Operational Basic Concept

Strategies:

Lay down paths, process and procedures through which the library as an organization achieves its set objectives out of its mission and purpose of creation (Onwubiko, 2004).

Effective:

Producing the result that is wanted or intended (Onwubiko 2004).

Management:

The process of planning. Organizing, co-ordinating, leading and controlling the efforts or organizational members and of using all other organizational resources to achieve stated organizational goals. (Onwubiko, 2004).

Library:

Store house of documented knowledge which have been professed and orderly arranged to make for easy location, retrieval and use (Obiora, 2004).

College Library:

Library found in Polytechnics College of technology, college of education and college of agriculture (Onwubiko, 2004).

Library Resources:

The totality of information materials that firm a library collection. They are classified into two: print and non-print materials. Print materials are in form of books also called monograph and serials. The non-book materials also called multi-media resources.

1.9 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the strategies for effective management of collage library resource.

In the preceding chapters, relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of effective management of collage libraries

5.2 Summary

Obtaining information quickly is the main concern of the users who want their library to be state-of-the art and responsive to their needs. Therefore the need to understand the dynamics of service delivery and make sincere attempts for users to speedy access their resources and to make effective use of them is vital. The staff of A.I.F.C.E Library must be concerned with how well the library performs. They should consider how the library could utilise the limited resources available to achieve an effective level of service to the university community. In spite of insufficient funds, A.I.F.C.E Library has made conscious efforts at rendering effective service to its users. On the whole, the generality of its users have been very cooperative in using the available resources and services provided by the A.I.F.C.E Library

5.3 Conclusion

It concluded that library managers must find ways of maintaining technology currency in order to compete successfully for resources amid rising costs and differing institutional priorities. This is largely because; the competitive environment where academic libraries operate requires successful differentiation strategies. If a given strategy doesn’t set library apart from the competition, it won’t work and hence academic library should make sure that its employees understand how they can help put some teeth into services differentiation. Challenges affecting information management are enormous. Some are beyond the control of library managers while others can be addressed given the appropriate structures systems and policies. Library management should understand information management from strategic and operational perspective in order to provide effective leadership. It has a role to play in building competitive organization through effective management of the workforce. The staffing needs, motivation, mentorship and continuous training and professional development have to be considered for effective execution of desired strategies and for successive achievement of set objectives. This is possible through formulation and execution of coherent staff policies and adoption of internal practices that expedite employee competencies and nurture behaviors that are required for library to achieve its strategic aims and outcomes.

5.4 Recommendations

Academic libraries should take advantage of available ICT infrastructure and real-time information spawned by the internet and wireless technology to perfect and differentiate their services, and monitor implementation initiatives on daily operations, steering them to a successful conclusion. In order to meet the rapid changes in information landscape, the shifting users’ requirements and needs, technological developments, and expectations, academic libraries should continuously conduct user surveys, analyze the professional development tendencies, innovate its systems and structures, and actively involve its stakeholders at every level of strategy development, execution and evaluation. Noting the effects of digitization of information sources and services, the librarian should play a more responsive task that includes role as a negotiator: able to identify the needs of users; a navigator: able to search the ocean of information regardless of the format; a facilitator: for information resources and infra-structure; an educator: being familiar with information in different formats and being able to train the users to have the ability to recognize, locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information; an entrepreneur: effective in resource mobilization; an information filter: to provide right information, in right time to the right person from right resource; and a marketer: for effective promotion and marketing of library products and services. There is need to install appropriate organization culture and prudent administration practices in academic library that encourage staff’s participation in decision making process. Anything less would illicit some resistance to any intended change and would negate all the efforts endeavored by management. The library leadership should assist its staff to align their goals with those of their department and the entire institution. This cannot be achieved without interactive dialogue, open discussion, and periodic consultative meetings with staffs. Library leadership should ensure employees’ empowerment, participative decision making, and effective communication systems. The study recommends HR systems that foster innovativeness and prudent management practices in order to provide vital support for effective execution of various library strategies. Library leadership should liaise with human resource function for formulation and execution of coherent staff policies and performance management systems that expedite employee competencies and behavior that are requisite for achievement of strategic aims.