Impact of Poor Funding of Nigeria Library on the Literacy Level of Nigerians
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The fundamental purpose of the study is to determine the effect of poor funding of public library in Nigeria: A case study of Benue State Library Board. The specific purposes are as followed;
- To identify the major source of funding of Benue State Library Board.
- To identify the alternative source of funding of Benue State Library Board.
- To examine the effect of poor funding of public libraries on literacy level
- To identify the implication of poor funding on staff morale of public library in Nigeria
- To identify problems associated with inadequate funding of Benue State Library Board.
- To proffer solution on how to overcome inadequate funding of Benue State Library Board.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This chapter seeks to review literature that is related to the present study. It reviews literature from books, journals, articles and from other relevant resources.
Conceptual Framework
- Concept of Poor Funding
- Concept of Public Library
Empirical Studies
- A Study on Source of Funding of Public Library
- Alternative Sources of Funding of Public Library
- Problems Associated with Poor Funding of Public Library
- Strategies to Overcome Poor Funding of Public Library
Summary of the Review
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Poor Funding
The importance of libraries in the educational development of nation cannot be over-emphasized. This is more, so given the indispensable role of storing and retrieving information which they serve. Given the above, a situation in which are public libraries are now lacking in books with structures and facilities in state of disuse cannot by any dint of imagination promote reading culture. The problem of funding in public libraries does not affect public libraries in Nigeria alone. According to Ehikhamener (2003) emphasized that public libraries all over the world are experiencing crises imposed by financial constraints, poor economic, inflation. No library can be adequately stocked with the necessary books and other library materials without adequate fund. He equally acknowledge that the constraints on funding is all embracing as it affects to a large extent not only book purchase but also staff salaries, quality and number of staff to be employed and above all, depth of services.
Webster New Twentieth Century Dictionary defines fund as a sum of money on stock convertible into money held available for the demand of a business is obviously a major element. By funding here, we mean the various ways we derive the expected fund for capital and recurrent expenses. It is equally making money available for the running of the library. According to Amafule (1997) states that every library stands on three legs, a building, collection and staff, but the ten on that hold those legs and bounds them together is money “he states that for the library to meet the objective for which it was established, money is very crucial for procurement, processing and maintenance of equipment. Adequate levels of funding are crucial to the success of a public library in fulfilling its roles. Without suitable levels of funding over the long-term it is impossible to develop policies for service provision and make the most effective use of available resources. This can be seen in number of examples: a new library building without adequate funds to maintain it, collections of new books with no money for their replacement and computer systems without funds to maintain and update them.
Funding is required not only when a public library is established, but should also be sustained on an assured and regular basis. A public library and the services it provides is a long-term investment on behalf of the community and should be funded appropriately. It is recognized that even in the wealthiest of societies it may not be possible to provide appropriate levels of funding for every service requirement. It is vitally important, therefore, that service development should be conducted on a planned basis with clear priorities. This process is necessary whatever level of funding is available to the library service. To determine strategic planning and the maintenance of agreed priorities, written policy statements should be developed for services. They should be reviewed at regular intervals and revised where necessary.
The Encyclopedia Britannica vol. 13 states that in many cooperate reports, fund means working capital needed by establishment. According to Adimorah (2008) in discussing public libraries financing in Nigeria, maintained that the financing of public libraries is a costly ventures which requires overhauling. He also present treads to leaving the financing of public libraries to state government alone is basically deficient. He proposed a balanced inter-governmental funding system involving the federal, state and governments. He suggested operational funding patter whereby the federal government should contribute 20% of public library fund state 50% and local government 30%. According to Cannel (1996) discussed that the financial problem according to him affects all types of library to purchase books and library materials from abroad. Corbeth (1997) he said adequate finance is vital for the satisfactory running of any kind of library. He pointed out that no matter how perfect the system of organization and its management and no matter how efficient and well qualities the staff is the fundamental requirement of really satisfactory services is an income sufficient to operate and maintain the services to an appropriate and maintain the services to an appropriate standard.
Funding still stressing the importance of proper funding as the most importance factor this determines its efficiency to offer user useful services. He states that this in turn reflects on the services it offers. He is of the view that library services should be paid for and that the cost should be borne by the community through their taxation to the government. Inadequate funding of any organization or project results to non fulfillment of its set goals government allocation is the most pronounced way of funding public libraries.
Ifidon (1994) states that during the affluence of 1960’s and 1970s in Nigeria, the library was regarded as a service oriented set up, non revenue generating organization and an organization which relies entirely on government for the funding. He went further to state that this conception was true in the period of Economic prosperity, comparative case and calm. In this period of economic depression many librarian still reason that way which has contributed greatly to the financial problems facing public library today. Oduagwu (2002) he states that, public library can be finance through:
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD
Introduction
This chapter presents the procedure to be adopted for this study. This covers the research design, area of the study, population of the study, sample, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of instrument(s), method of data collection and method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design to be used for this study is the descriptive survey research design. This design is the type that seeks to collect data in order to answer questions on a subject or topic. This is in line with Uzoagulu (2011) who noted that in descriptive research, data are usually collected, organized, analyzed and described as they exist in their natural setting without being influenced.
This design would be appropriate for this study because the study seeks to investigate the actual effects of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria with reference to Benue State Library Board.
Area of the Study
The area of study is Benue State Library Board in Benue State, Nigeria located in the North Central of the country.
Population of the Study
The population of this study will comprises of twenty five (25) staff of the Benue State Library Board, Makurdi. The reason for choosing the staff of the board as respondents for the study is that they are in a good position to provide relevant information required in equalizing the objectives of this research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSES AND PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS
Introduction
This chapter deals with the data presentation, analysis and interpretation of findings on the effects of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria: case study of Benue State Library Board Makurdi, Benue State.
Response Rate
The number of people who respond to the issued questioner is worked in to percentage and the percentage of people who respond to the survey is called the response rate. Obtaining the response rate is by dividing the number of people who submitted a completed survey by the number of people you attempted to contact. A total number of 27 copies of the questionnaire were administered on the respondents out of which 25 were retuned and found usable. The table below shows the response rate:
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND SUGGESTIONS
Introduction
This chapter presents the summary of the study and appropriate conclusion based on the data collected and analysis as well as recommendations and suggestions for further research.
Conclusion
Funds are very important and vital aspects to public libraries, as every activity in the library is based on funds, starting from acquisition, administration personnel and circulation. The public library cannot meet its objective without adequate fund. Public libraries reassure their subventions through government subvention. The public libraries are funded through their parent ministries be it either that of education and in some case ministry of information. At the time of increasing cut back in budget either by government due to economic situation, libraries are under pressure to search for alternative sources of funding their services in addition to government subvention, other sources of financial supports are activity being explored, since libraries have played important role in civilized community from the early times to the present and their very existing and continued development demonstrated the value that educationist placed on libraries, but then, our country Nigeria is not a reading nation.
Moreover, when compare with other developing countries, it is clear that the Nigerian government does not pay priority attention to education. The conclusion arrived at this research work is that government subvention is the main sources of funding for public libraries, but those funds are not enough to meet the needs of the libraries.
Recommendations
Funds available to public libraries are not adequate, therefore, additional funds is required. The following recommendations are made:
- Public library should be involved in inter library cooperation, otherwise known as resources sharing. It should team up with other agencies involved in cooperation. It should not claim self sufficiency rather they should embark on library cooperation and benefit from book aid international i.e. British Council which specializing in donating books to libraries.
- In the area of fund generation, the government should improve its financial allocations to the state library board to enable them purchase new mobile vehicle therefore, enabling them market their services and repair the broken vans.
- In this era of technological development the public libraries in particular should computerize their services, they should be connected to Internet to give relevant and up to date materials for the libraries.
- Government should also change their negative attitudes towards libraries, especially in the democratic dispensation it affect national development.
- The management board should not always wait on government to provide funds rather the library should look for other services that will yield fund, such like reprographic services, sales of library cards, binding and printing, photocopying services, fines and overdue books and ensuring that offenders comply with the library’s rules.
Suggestions for Further Studies
The study on effect of poor funding of public libraries in Nigeria: case study of Benue State Library Board Makurdi, Benue State North-central Nigeria. The following areas for further studies are therefore suggested:
- Effects of poor funding of academic libraries in Benue State
- Effects of poor funding of special libraries in Benue State
- Effects of poor funding of school libraries in Benue State.
Reference
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