Factors Influencing the Provision of Academic Library Services in Achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the various factors that influence the provision of academic library services with the overarching goal of contributing to Ghana's achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). The study purposefully selected libraries from public universities. The libraries are the Sam Jonah Library, University of Cape Coast, and the John Kofi Borsah Library, Cape Coast Technical University. Positivist paradigm, and quantitative research design was used in the study. The study used the questionnaire as a data collection tool. The study involved a total population of 103 individuals. The study included the entire population due to the researcher's decision not to sample due to the limited population size. Fifty-two (52) responded to the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS. The study highlights a mixed assessment of library satisfaction, recognizing positive aspects but also pinpointing areas requiring attention for overall user contentment and inclusivity. There are notable differences between UCC and CCTU libraries, concerns about specialized personnel, and the need for uniform computing knowledge that suggest opportunities for improvement. The nuanced analysis of institutional policies for SDG4 emphasizes areas for enhancement, while challenges faced by librarians prompt proposed strategies like mobile libraries and digital literacy programs to overcome limitations in technology and internet access. The researcher proposed some recommendations to address and alleviate the challenges librarians face in their service delivery, such strengthening specialized staff training programs at UCC library and establishment of legal policy framework for the SDG 4 at CCTU library.