1.1 Introduction
A library collection is the sum total of library materials i.e. books, manuscripts, serials, government publications, pamphlets, catalogues, reports, recordings, microfilm reels, micro films, microfiche etc, Building a collection may occasionally involve the selection and acquisition of these materials, but in most cases it is the planning of the systematic development of the already existing collection. Collection development faces a number of challenges the world over. Some of the notable challenges as identified by Adekanmbi and Boadi (2008) are lack of constant training for librarians, inadequate staff for the libraries, lack of administrative support, and unavailability and non-use of collection development policies. Much as this is the case, finances are possibly the single biggest obstacle to the exercise.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Collection development is an important activity in any library and information centre aimed at building relevant collections that meet user information needs. Moreover, it requires strong support and commitment from decision-makers in terms of funding, and stakeholder participation in the selection process. Standards for School Libraries (2014), published by the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria. Assessment of information resources in school libraries for meeting professional standards in South – East, Nigeria entails measuring and appraising the collection of school libraries in relation to the Minimum Standards for School libraries in Nigeria (2014). Library information resources are the information bearing materials that are either in print or non-print format. They include CD-ROM, textbooks, journals, OPAC, online databases, serials, Internet resources among others. In a university, the information resources housed or provided by the university library are meant to support the teaching, learning and research activities of the university, and undergraduates constitute a greater percentage of students in most universities.
The Policy (NPE) further stipulates that State, Federal Capital Territory and Local Governments, as well as proprietors of schools shall establish functional school libraries in accordance with the established standards and actively promote reading culture in all their educational institutions. They shall also provide for the training of librarians and library assistants for these services. Weekly library periods shall be part of the school curriculum to aid learning activities. The Federal Government Guidelines on Inspection of School Library (2012), recommends that every school should have a standard library and it should be built separately or use a space of two classrooms. Furniture seating capacity should not be less than 50-60 seats in the library.
Goodall and Pattern (2011), asserted that the performance of students can be considerably improved if the school library is well-stocked. The authors further stressed that a school library does not exist in isolation but exists to serve the objectives of the parent organization. The objective of a good educational system is to equip pupils to be able to play their role in the society effectively. They further maintain that school library attempts to advance the objectives of the school and the aims of a good school library is to become a force for educational excellence.
The world is fast becoming a global village, provision and use of school library information resources deficiency places the students at a disadvantage position. This is so because most of the information needs in order to keep abreast with one's contemporaries can only be achieved through current and credible information materials such as textbooks, novels/story books, magazines, manuals, etc. which are domiciled in the school libraries. More so, the secondary school stage of any child is fundamentally important to education achievement of a child as well as the nation as a whole. Nonetheless, there have been serious search for the solutions to the poor library usage mostly experienced among secondary students in Nigeria and beyond.
Therefore, in Imo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Evaluation of Collection of Development Practice in Selected Private Secondary School.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the school library is the live-wire of the secondary school system. It is very relevant in preparing students for higher education and vocation. However, collection development in school libraries has become very difficult in recent times with increasing prices of books occasioned by the high cost of book production. Moreover, literature appears to indicate that student’ poor academic achievements in schools are connected with the low standards manifest in the school libraries. There are also unacceptable situations ranging from incidences of inadequate resources like books and manpower to total neglect, abandonment, and absence of the libraries in many secondary schools in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Most school libraries in Nigeria are stocked with foreign books that are not only obsolete but alien to the experiences and background of the Nigerian students. These are likely to dampen students’ interest and may scare them out of the library. Attention to school libraries by government, school management and stake-holders seem to be inadequate especially when compared with public and academic libraries.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate Collection of Development Practice in Selected Private Secondary School in Owerri West Local Government Area. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the collection development practices in academic libraries in the area under study.
- To explore factors that influence the collection development price in academic libraries in the area under study.
- To evaluate the collection development practices of Selected Private Secondary School in Owerri West Local Government Area.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the collection development practices in academic libraries in the area under study?
- What are the factors that influence the collection development price in academic libraries in the area under study?
- What are the collection development practices of Selected Private Secondary School in Owerri West Local Government Area?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant relationship between collection development practices and library resources utilization among secondary school students
- H1: There are significant relationship between collection development practices and library resources utilization among secondary school students
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant factor that influence the collection development price in academic libraries in the area under study
- H1: There is a significant factor that influence the collection development price in academic libraries in the area under study
1.7 Significance of Study
The significance of this study is to help in following ways.
- Help in supplying adequate library materials and making them available at the right time.
- It helps to know the needs and demands of library patrons in search of information.
- It helps in carrying out community analysis.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Evaluation of Collection of Development Practice in Selected Private Secondary School in Owerri West Local Government Area. The selected private school under study is Goldsmith International Secondary School in Imo State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Collection: It is the means by which information items or materials are finding in the libraries.
Development: It is the means of assembling of materials to insure that the collection is good enough to certify the collection by updating the library with qualitative books.
Selection: It is the means of identifying what you want, the one that will be used.
Acquisition: It is the due by photocopying.
Policy: It is the plan or procedure, which a library carries out its collection development.
Public Library: It serves the population of community or region free of charge or for a normal fee.
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