Alternative Funding of Public Libraries
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Research objectives are just as useful as they are in most other aspects of life. “Research objectives provide the researcher a wonderful feeling of aim and direction,” according to Torty (2021). The study’s overall purpose is to investigate alternative funding of public libraries.
The study, on the other hand, was focused on achieving these precise goals:
- Investigate the need for an alternative funding sources of public libraries.
- Investigate the different alternative funding sources of public libraries.
- Investigate the challenges of alternative funding of public libraries.
- Proffer possible solutions to the identified challenges of alternative funding of public libraries.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in two sub-headings:
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Library
Library is a learning institution equipped with treasures of knowledge, maintained, organized and managed by trained personnel to educate the children, men and women continuously and assist in their self-improvement through an effective and prompt dissemination of information embodied in the resources. This is an instrument of self-education, a means of knowledge and factual information, a center of intellectual recreation and a beacon of enlightenment that provides accumulated preserved knowledge of civilization which consequently enriches one’s mental vision and dignifies his habit, behavior, character, taste, attitude, conduct and outlook on life. (Islam, 2004). The international federation of library association (2001) observed that libraries are organizations established, supported and funded by the government either through local, regional or national government or through some other forms of community organization. IFLA further explained that library provides access through a range of resources and services and it is equally available to all members of the community regardless of race, nation, age, gender, religion, language, disability, economic and employment status and educational attainment. According to Ochogwu (2010), library is defined as professionally organized collection of graphic and non-graphic materials for exploitation. It is generally seen as an institution responsible for the acquisition, organization and storage of recorded knowledge in various media for study, research and consultation. Contemporary libraries maintain collections that include not only printed materials such as manuscript, books, newspapers, magazines etc., but also art reproductions, films, sound and video recordings, maps, e-journals, e-box and other media. Libraries provide people with access to the information they need to work, play, learn and govern.
Nature of Library Services
Having explained the meaning of the library services, then it is pertinent to look at the nature of library service because this study had maintained that it was important to the success of the education system. This section examines the nature of library services as found in studies. To start with, the function of library services is meant to provide assistance to students and other users of the library on how to retrieve the information they are looking for (Idris, Oji & Abana, 2012). The operation of the library, by the nature, is enormous and service oriented (Arua & Chinaka, 2011). The library service in school is an essential service which enables the users to have constant access to the relevant materials; hence, there is a need for library personnel to rise up to the occasion in providing the service to students with a view to boost their learning in school (Gama, 2008). Meanwhile, Heath (2011) and Salman, Mostert and Mugwisi (2014) had discussed the need for the school librarian to play an active role in efficiency in the use of library materials. They opined that the role of the school librarian is very important in this aspect, he/she is the head of the library personnel services and must coordinate the activity of the library properly. In order to do this, then the school librarian has a crucial role to play in ensuring timely delivery of services to students and the entire staff in the school (Mathew, 2011). Equally important, the school librarian must be well versed, competent, intelligent, qualified and have dexterities to run the library. Since the librarian is the head of the library personnel in schools, he / she superintend the affairs of the library and report the activities of the library to the principal of the school (Harris, 2008). Furthermore, the work of the school librarian is not limited to provide the materials for students only as noted by scholars (Idris, Orji & Abana, 2012), but they should endeavor to guide them and other users on how to access the books and other materials (Lance, 2012). It also includes maintenance and keeping of reference sources (Lance, 2002). In addition, Ajegbomogun and Salaam (2011) highlights the duties of school librarian as follows:
- The collection as well as the acquisition of relevant materials in journals, newspapers, books, charts, records, pictures, microphone, illustrations, maps, periodicals, atlases, pamphlets, etc. Those materials must be provided in consonance with the needs and aspirations of the students.
- The organization of the materials, arrangement and maintenance for easy identification.
- Assembling of all lists of indexes that are related to the materials in the library for record purposes.
- Providing files for likely complaints to be received from students, teachers and other library users.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine alternative funding of public libraries. Staffs of Rivers State Library, Port Harcourt form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of thirty-six (36) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only thirty (30) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 30 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to examine alternative funding of public libraries using Rivers State Library, Port Harcourt as case study. The study specifically was aimed at investigating the need for an alternative funding sources of public libraries, investigate the different alternative funding sources of public libraries, investigate the challenges of alternative funding of public libraries, and proffer possible solutions to the identified challenges of alternative funding of public libraries.
The study adopted the survey research design and conveniently enrolled participants in the study. A total of 30 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn from the staff of Rivers State Library, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:
- The need for an alternative funding sources of public libraries is that it helps to enhances service delivery, Enables provision of necessary infrastructure, Enables provision of current books, Helps in maintenance of staffs and library, and enhances overall performance of the library services
- The different alternative funding sources of public libraries include; Fees for Services, Private Donations, Government Grants, and Corporate and Foundation Grants
- The challenges of alternative funding of public libraries includes; librarian’s attitude, Inadequate philanthropic culture of Nigerians, Inadequate structures for effective and efficient accountability and transparency, Unco-operative attitude of those involved in the fund-raising process, Inadequate time to plan the due to head librarians tenure in office, and government attitude towards library development in Nigeria.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the light of the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are hereby proposed:
- Public libraries, as a matter of necessity should seek other sources of funding to supplement the traditional sources which are hardly adequate to provide modern facilities that will make the libraries ICT compliant. This they can do by commercialising their services to include those provided by private individuals or organizations within their premises. Such services may include photocopying, printing of documents and card production.
- Public libraries should seek ways of establishing partnerships with individuals and the private sector in the establishment of modern facilities that the budgets cannot carry.
- There is also a need for more advocacy and publicity in the mass media on the crucial role of libraries in the operational efficiency of their states. Through such awareness programmes, profit-oriented corporate establishments and non-governmental voluntary organizations could be mobilized to provide financial assistance to Nigeria’s Libraries.
REFERENCES
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