Effect of Brain Drain (Human Capital Flight) of Librarians on Service Delivery in Some Selected Nigerian Universities

Clara Chinyere Okoro, Saturday U. Omeluzor and Itunu A.Bamidele

Abstract

This study seeks to describe and analyze the challenges occasioned by brain drain or human capital flight of librarians on service delivery in Nigerian Universities. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select two geopolitical zones (South-South and South-West) from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Total enumeration was  used because the population under study was considered appropriate for the research. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. Sixty copies of the instrument were distributed to 60 librarians in the two selected geopolitical zones. Copies of all the questionnaires were completed, retrieved, and found usable, thus giving a response rate of 100%. Survey results indicated that 315 librarians emigrated to foreign lands for various reasons, including unstable academic calendar and prospects for further training among others. This loss of personnel in the university libraries has a negative impact on service delivery as qualified information professionals and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts are limited to mentor the younger professionals. Shift duties in academic libraries are also scaled down for lack of manpower. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that the Federal Government of Nigeria should, as a matter of urgency, robustly fund tertiary education to enhance productivity. As they do this, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is to empower academic libraries by ensuring that the staff development policy is strictly adhered to. This will translate into self-enhancement for staff, positive job attitude, and retention of professionals in the system.
For further detail, read more http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/4/3/2158244014541131.full-text.pdf+html

Utilization of Journal Publications by Undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Nigeria


Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor and Hannah U. Amadi

Introduction
Journal publications serve a very important purpose for learning, teaching and research in any university. According to Ogunniyi, Akerele, and Afolabi (2011), a well stocked and organized library is a pride of any educational institution. Academic journals according to the College at Brockport (2013) are periodicals in which researchers publish articles on their work. Research articles that discuss recent findings are published in journal. Also, journal publications contain theoretical discussions and articles that critically review already published work. Journals are typically peer-reviewed which means that articles published in them were read and critically examined by more than one reviewer to ensure that it is in accordance to acceptable standard for publication.
Journal is one among the serials subscribed by libraries all over the world with authenticated research results and findings in different areas of knowledge. According to Keenan and Johnson (2000), Feather and Sturges (2004), and Reitz (2004), serial is any publication that is published in any medium issued under the same title in a succession of discrete parts usually numbered (or dated) and appearing either in regular or irregular intervals with no predetermined conclusion. Serial publications are provided in successive parts to users and is intended to be available and continued indefinitely in the library. Serials publications include periodicals, newspapers, magazines, journals and annuals (reports, yearbooks), continuing directories, proceedings and transactions, and numbered  monographic series. Most libraries subscribe to journal publications on continuous basis. Nonetheless, a specific journal title is identified by a unique international standard serial number (ISSN) and a key title assigned and maintained by the international serials data system (ISDS). Consequently, journal is among the diverse information materials that are available in any library. It is needed especially by faculty and research students to support in accumulating current literature review and findings. Madu and Adeniran (2005) outline some characteristics of journal which include, the editor might change; the content of each issue is different; the publication interval varies;
they are published annually, bi-annually, monthly, quarterly, forth-nightly and weekly; no planned end to the sequence; currency (up-to-date); more expensive than books, and are usually subscribed to.
Before the inception and advancement of ICT use in library services, journals were mainly printed and manually distributed. However with the development of ICT, and its subsequent usage in the library, dissemination of most journals is electronically managed via the Internet and catalogued, accessed and retrieved from databases. Journals that are subscribed by a library form an important and useful collection of the library stock. Also, articles in journals are published more rapidly than books and thus journal constitute vital up-to-date information. This is particularly important in rapidly developing areas of science and technology. In addition, articles in journals frequently discuss in-depth and highly specialized topics and it includes information that may never appear in book form. These attributes and others makes journal publications unique, distinct and special among other library collections.
For more details about this publication, visit: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1006/

Implementation of Koha Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS): The Babcock University Experience

Saturday U. Omeluzor, Olugbenga Adara, Madukoma Ezinwayi, Itunu A. Bamidele and
 Felicia Oby Umahi

Abstract

This paper appraised the implementation process of Koha Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS) at the Babcock University (B.U.) Library, Nigeria. The software installation, data entry and data migration were successfully done and usage of the software began instantly. This study adopted a survey design using questionnaire as the instrument for gathering of data. It enumerates the experiences of B.U. Library in the implementation of Koha ILS using a total of 17 librarians and 24 technical staff that were part of the implementation program to illicit information. It explains strategies towards efficient migration of data from X-Lib to Koha, and elements responsible for adequate utilization of ILS. Analysis of data was only on challenges to the implementation program and strategies for successful implementation of Koha. This research was a result of the experiences of B.U. Library documented to support libraries. The software continues to receive improvement and upgrade by the user community worldwide. However, this research only describes the progress made and challenges faced on the implementation from June 2010. This research established no major problem since the implementation of the software at Babcock University Library. Library staff and majority of the library users have commended the decision of the University Library for installing dynamic software like Koha. Finding on Table 1 revealed that erratic power supply and insufficient manpower were bane for the smooth running of the software. It was also established on table 2 that ILS be incorporated as a course to be taught in the department of Information Resources Management (IRM) of Babcock University in order to train people who will manage the software. Moreover, 100% of the respondents agreed that seminars and workshops be organized. In addition, an effective collaboration between the ICT unit and the University Library was also seen as an advantage. This work was based on facts and experiences gathered before and during the implementation period. It elaborates the basics and suggests steps toward successful implementation of ILS. It is intended to serve as stepping stone for libraries especially in Nigeria that are in dare need to implement automation software. Read more: http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/j.css.1923669720120804.1860

Training of Library Assistants in Academic Library: A Study of Babcock University Library, Nigeria

Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor,  Abayomi Imam and Hannah U. Amadi

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the need to train and retrain library assistants in academic libraries. The researchers however used Babcock University Library to ascertain the impacts of training of library assistants. A descriptive design was adopted for this study. A total enumeration sampling method was used. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The population was made up of 30 respondents who were library assistants at the Babcock University Library, Nigeria. A total number of 30 questionnaires were administered. All the questionnaires were retrieved and were found useful giving a return rate of 100% used for this study. The result shows that library assistants were not given training in the area of system management and web searching. In addition, 27 (90%) of the respondents agreed that training will enhance their job performance while 30 (100%) of the respondents agreed that training will improve their skills to support library users in searching for information electronically. Based on the findings the researchers recommend that library assistants should be trained on electronic information technology usage as this will impact the overall service delivery in meeting the goals of the academic library. Read more http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/spsgo/3/3/2158244013503964.full.pdf

Faculty members’ awareness and use of Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) services at Babcock University, Nigeria: A study


Itunu A. Bamidele, Saturday U. Omeluzor, Glory Onoyeyan, Aluko-Arowolo Titilayo K.

Abstract

The study investigated the awareness and use of Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) by Faculty Members of Babcock University, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design.  Questionnaire was distributed to 240 (60%) faculty members at various schools in August 2013 during an annual colloquium workshop. One hundred and ninety-six (196) copies of the questionnaire was retrieved which was used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and frequency. It is clear that prior to the introduction and use of OPAC at Babcock University Library, traditional methods of information retrieval hold sway. Also, despite its acclaimed usefulness, most faculty members tend to prefer traditional methods to OPAC. Findings reveal that majority of the respondents (71.4%) were not aware that OPAC can be used to retrieve materials before coming to the library. Also, 65.8% of the respondents were not aware that they can access/browse Babcock University library web-based OPAC with their mobile phones before coming to the library to borrow materials; while, 59.2% of the respondents were not aware that the materials available at the Babcock University library can be accessed outside the library building. Only 26% of the respondents used OPAC independently to retrieve library information resources. Majority of the respondents retrieved library information resources by perusing through the shelves and/or seeking the assistance of a library staff. It was obvious from the findings that majority of the respondents were not aware hence the need for the study. Lack of orientation from the librarians also constitutes major factor that militate against awareness and use of OPAC. This study therefore recommends that Librarians should organize orientation and sensitization programmes in order to create awareness, and encourage the university community and especially faculty members at various schools to effectively use OPAC to ensure maximum utilization of library information resources.

http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/IKM/article/view/17208