Library Finance in an Era of Information and Communication Technology: The Case of University of Lagos and University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Finance has impacted all spheres of life and sourcing for adequate fund to provide for library functions and services especially Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in academic libraries is most affected due to high cost and maintenance of the various ICTs used in libraries. This study was necessitated to portray the dire need and importance of funding the acquisition and maintenance of necessary Information and Communication Technologies in academic libraries, especially in Nigeria to ensure that library service delivery commensurate with users’ expectations in this information age. The study adopted the descriptive survey method for the study, considered the entire 145 library staff of the University of Lagos library and 113 library staff of the University of Ibadan Library. Purposeful sampling of six (6) staff each was undertaken for the study and the use of the questionnaire was adopted to elicit responses from the respondents and retrieved responses were analysed using simple percentages. It was found that government subvention, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, gifts and donations were the main sources of fund for libraries and these available funds were not usually enough to cater for the library’s needs in providing ICT compliant services to her information literate audience. Other identified sources of fund for library development include the Internally Generated Revenue from library users’ registration, overdue charges and clearance. The study recommended improved approaches to academic library funding aimed at ameliorating the dwindling financial status in administrating academic libraries, and these include soliciting from local, national and international agencies/authorities, incorporating service charge and the establishment of consultancy services unit for high rated services for efficiency and effectiveness.