Evaluation of The Quality Assurance Practices of Nigerian University Libraries.
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is organized under the following sub headings, background to the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study, research questions and hypothesis.
Background to the Study
University libraries are libraries established in universities to promote scholarship and research in various fields of learning.
University library as Yusuf and Iwu (2010) put it are the nerve centres or the hubs around which scholarship revolves in the university environment.
They are established with the obligation of providing bibliographic or information services that are essential for the fulfillment of the mission of the universities.
For university libraries to remain relevant and central to the mission of the universities, provision of quality services is critical.
This is because quality services in the university library demonstrate ‘fitness for purpose’ of the library.
Winkworth (2001) in support of this, highlights that fitness for purpose entails effectiveness of the university libraries in achieving institution goals and objectives by ensuring high level of quality in their services.
Quality as defined by 1S0 11620 (1994) is the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears on the ability to satisfy stated or implied needs.
It is a measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects and deficiencies. The quest for quality in the university libraries which evolves into quality assurance provides the opportunity to examine all elements of the library:- its structures, systems, services, processes and people to identify defects and ascertain conformity to acceptable standards.
Unfortunately, from face value, personal experience and observation of the Nigerian university libraries, one could see that quality has eluded the Nigerian university libraries as they are not measuring up to the expectations for which they are established.
This can be seen in the manner at which books are heaped at some corners of the libraries, abandoned or unattended to; inadequate library personnel comprising professional, para-professional and non- professional; lack of balanced collection; not meeting users’ service demand; non or partial application of Information Communication and Technology to service; inadequate space; inefficient reference services; lack of user education/orientation and poor relationship between staff and users.
REFERENCES
Adebayo, E.L. (2006). Quality assurance and the implication for the management of university libraries in Nigeria. Paper presented at the national workshop organized by the CULNU Held at NUC auditorium, Abuja.
Agunbiade, S. O. (2006). Quality assurance and the role of education trust fund (ETF) intervention in Nigerian university library system. A paper presented at the national workshop on quality assurance in the management of Nigerian university library system, NUC, Abuja.
Aguolu, C.C. & Aguolu, I.E. (2002). Libraries and information management in Nigeria: seminal essays on themes and problems. Maiduguri: Ed-Lin-form services.
Aina, L.O. (2013). Information, knowledge and the gatekeeper. Paper presented at 132nd inaugural lecture of UNILORIN on 19th, May.
American Library Association (2006). Guidelines for university library services to undergraduate students. Chicago: ALA.
Andrich, D. (1978). A rating formulation for ordered response categories. Available at: www.scirp.org>Reference Papers
Association of College & Research Libraries (2011). Standards for university libraries: Evaluation of performance. Chicago: ALA.
Bertalanffy. V.L. (1950). Systems theory. www.iss.org/quote/vb.htm
Chineke, T. C., Njoku, V.O., Eleoba, P.C., Onuh, M. O. & Ukwandu, E.O. (2006). Introduction to computer packages for tertiary institutions. Owerri: Supreme Publishers.
Join Our Newsletter!
Don’t miss this opportunity
Enter Your Details
Be the first to comment