1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The Federal university of technology (FUTO) was founded in October 1980 while the Library started functioning in 1981.
Before then the library was initially cited at Lake Nwanchere Campus while the permanent Campus was under construction in Ihiagwa. The pioneer Librarian was J.C Anafulu.
A class room block was selected and converted in the mark shift Library. It was fitted with shelve for ten thousand (10) volumes of Library materials. Other member of the Library professional staff joined in October to prepare for the opening of the Library on the October 1981.
At the time of opening of the Library, approximately, 2,500 volumes of Library materials were on the shelves. The importance of journals to science and technology oriented University Community was organized at early stage and a least of about 600 titles were ordered. in the month of May 1982, the reserved collection was introduced making the total volume of books held by the Library reached six thousand.
After two years of operating in class room blocks, the University Library in the first week of September 1983 moved to a permanent building. The building which was originally designed as a Library for federal Government Girls secondary school. The Library of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is now a well and standardized Library.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Serial is the backbone of every academic library because of its indispensable nature as careers of current information on research findings in all fields of human endeavors. Therefore such as books are acquired organized, stored and display that users will make effective use of it. So, also there is need for proper co-ordination and management of serials. For that serial section of a Library to serve it's patrons effectively.
When one task about acquisition and management of serials. It involves normal disbursement of fund and how to manage fund coming in and going out of the library. But unfortunately one discovers that the proper co-ordination and utilization of serial resources in Imo state academic library are fraught with numerous problems which make it difficult for the libraries to pay the expected roles.
To determine the problems that affect the effective management of serials in Federal University of Technology owerri library is the essence of this investigation. The areas to be investigated are funding stating, selections of information materials, acquisition, storage facilities, personnel, organization, as well as the management style and techniques to these problems.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are:
- To determine how the serial collections are acquired in Federal University of Technology owerri library.
- To find out how the library serials are organized.
- To find out how these serials are circulated and disseminated.
- To find out the qualification of staff working in the Nigerian section of the library
- To ascertain the factors that affects the acquisition and management of serials in the library.
- To recommend solution on how to improve the acquisition and management of serial in Federal University of Technology owerri library
1.4 Research Questions
- How are serials acquired in the library?
- How are serials organized in Federal University of Technology owerri library?
- How are serials circulated and disseminated in the library?
- What is the strength and qualification of staff of Nigeria section of Federal University of Technology owerri library?
- How can serials collections be managed in Federal University of Technology owerri library?
- What are the factors that hinder effective management of serials collections of the library?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The study is limited to only the Nigerian section of Federal University of Technology owerri library. The researcher will cover such area as selection, acquisition, organization and storage, circulation and dissemination of information materials, funding, personnel, as well as Management style of the Serials Department.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The Federal University of Technology owerri library is a federal Government owned organization. Like very other state owned organization. It has been fraught with so many problems which are left unattended to over the Years; as a result, there has been so much decay in the library as well as the library serials department (NIGERIAN). The information materials are so old and current materials are very rare. Serials rendered to clients are not the best and therefore not effective. These problems and more one what the researcher intends to investigate.
In discovering these problems, the investigator will also proffer valuable solutions to these problems.
It is expected that the study will be kind of blue print for other academic libraries that would like to establish a serial department. The researcher also hoped that the work will be significance to people with task of managing serial collections of the library. It is also hope that study will be of immeasurable benefit to the following people viz. libraries, librarians in training, universities, polytechnic or college of education planners, administrator, resources persons and pursuers of knowledge and learning.
1.7 Brief History of FUTO Library
The Federal university of technology (FUTO) was founded in October 1980 while the Library started functioning in 1981.
Before then the library was initially cited at Lake Nwanchere Campus while the permanent Campus was under construction in Ihiagwa. The pioneer Librarian was J.C Anafulu.
A class room block was selected and converted in the mark shift Library. It was fitted with shelve for ten thousand (10) volumes of Library materials. Other member of the Library professional staff joined in October to prepare for the opening of the Library on the October 1981
At the time of opening of the Library, approximately, 2,500 volumes of Library materials were on the shelves. The importance of journals to science and technology oriented University Community was organized at early stage and a least of about 600 titles were ordered. in the month of May 1982, the reserved collection was introduced making the total volume of books held by the Library reached six thousand.
After two years of operating in class room blocks, the University Library in the first week of September 1983 moved to a permanent building. The building which was originally designed as a Library for federal Government Girls secondary school. The Library of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is now a well and standardized Library.
1.8 Definitions of Basic Concepts
Serials:
A serial is defined as a publication issued in successive part bearing numerical or chronological designation intended to be continue indefinitely, serials include periodical (Newspapers, magazines, journals and memo's, proceeding transactions of societies, annual (report, year book and numbered monographic series).
Academic Libraries:
These are libraries that cater for the teaching, research and recreational needs of students, lecturers, and non academic staff in institution of higher learning like polytechnics, universities, college of education and monotechnics etc.
Library Acquisition:
Acquisition is the process on obtaining library materials to satisfy the need of users. It is also the process of obtaining books and other materials for the library, documentation centre or achieves.
Library Management:
Library manager broadly defined includes all the things that go on from time a group of citizens establishes a library to serve it's need to the moment that library does something which helps a citizen. The objectives of the institution and its methods, it facilities and personnel are involved.
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