Management of Grey Literature in Academic Libraries in Niger state.
ABSTRACT
This research investigated management and use of grey literature in academic libraries in Niger State. The purpose of it is to identify types of grey literature, examine methods of acquisition, processing, preservation and utilisation. In addition, to ascertain management challenges and strategies for improvement.
Research questions were formulated based on seven points of the purposes. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study.
One hundred and two (102) librarians (professional and paraprofessional) from Federal University of Technology, Minna, IBB University, Lapai, Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State College of Education, Minna, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru constituted the population.
The entire population was used. There was no sampling because the sample size was manageable. The instruments for data collection were structured questionnaire, interview schedule and observation checklist.
Documentary evidences in the area of grey literature formed the basis for construction of these instruments.
The instruments were face validated by three senior researchers in the field of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The research instruments were administered directly by the researcher. In analyzing the data collected, frequency table and mean score were used for the questionnaire and checklist, while the interview was presented in prose narrative form substantiating information obtained from questionnaire.
The findings revealed that appreciable size and variety of grey literature resources are available in most libraries but proper management is where problems lie.
The major methods of acquisition are donation/gift and standing order deposit for staff. Classification is the main method through which grey literature is processed, while cataloguing, indexing and abstracting are neglected in most cases.
It was also found out that the major methods employed by most of the libraries for preserving grey literature are the use of shelves with labels and vertical files collection with content descriptions. The popular access points are print lists and shelf guides.
Some of the challenges encountered with the management and accessing of grey literature resources in the area include lack of national bibliography for grey literature, as well as unwillingness of originating bodies to release copies of documents which topped the list.
Strategies itemized for improving management of grey literature resources include; provision of national bibliography, policy statements and adequate fund for acquisition and digitization of the resources.
Based on these, the study recommends for the provision of a national bibliography for grey literature, good policy statements for acquisition and use of grey literature, digitization of the resources, as well as government/institutions/libraries voting adequate fund for acquisition of grey literature, especially electronic resources.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Certification Page iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Contents vi
Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 11
Purpose of the Study 13
Research Questions 13
Significance of the Study 14
Scope of the Study 15
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Framework 17
Concept of Grey Literature 17
Concept of Management of Grey Literature 29
Concept of Utilisation of Grey Literature 36
Concept of Academic Libraries 40
Challenges in Managing of Grey Literature 43
Strategies for Improving Management of Grey Literature 46
Theoretical Framework 50
Review of Related Empirical Studies 54
Summary of Literature Review 59
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Design of the Study 61
Area of the Study 61
Population of the Study 62
Sample and Sampling Techniques 62
Instruments for Data Collection 63
Validation of the Instrument 64
Method of Data Collection 64
Method of Data Analysis 65
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
Summary of Findings 77
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Discussion of the Findings 80
Implications of the Study 87
Recommendations 88
Limitations of the Study 88
Suggestion for further Studies 89
Conclusion 89
References 91
Appendices 95
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Gyasi (2003) defines literature in its broad sense as ‘anything that is written’, while Rees (2007) sees it in the narrow sense of ‘writing which expresses and communicate thought, feelings and attitudes towards life.
Literature is thus summed up as permanent expression(s) in words (written or spoken), especially arranged in pleasing and accepted pattern or forms.
In an information generating society, written literature in various forms is generated on daily basis by individuals, corporate bodies, academic institutions, e.t.c
. Many of these are either unconventionally published or not published but exist and are used frequently. These forms can be appropriately termed grey (or gray) literature.
The earliest authorities in the area of grey literature such as Chilag (1982) and Wood (1984), defined grey literature as all categories of unconventionally published material.
On the other hand, Auger (1989) sees it as semi-published literature which is not formally listed or priced, but is nevertheless in circulation.
Collectively the term covers an extensive range of materials that cannot be found easily through conventional channels such as publishers, but which are frequently original and usually recent.
REFERENCES
Agatha, N.K. (2012). Enhancing the Visibility and Accessibility of Research:
Demystifying and Promoting Open Access at the University of Nairobi. Oxford: International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publication. Google Scholar- http://scholar.google.com (Accessed May, 2012).
Agu, P. (2010). Users and Services of Academic Libraries. Enugu: Praise House Publishers. Aina, L. O. (1994). The problems of organising and disseminating grey literature in Africa.
In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Grey Literature, 13-15 December, 1993. Amsterdam: Trans-Atlantic.
Aina, L. O. (2004). Library and Information Science Text for Africa. Ibadan: Third Word Information Services Ltd.
Alberani,V., Pietrangeli, P.D.C., and Mazza, A.M.R. (1990). The use of grey literature in health sciences: A preliminary survey. Bull Medical Library Association 78(4). Pp. 358-363. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov (Accessed Dec. 2011).
Anunobi, C. U. (2000). Managing past question papers in academic libraries. Journal of Library and Information Service, 3(4), Bauchi: Library Association.
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