University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA FAct' LTV OF SOCIAL STUDfES DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION STl'DIES RETIIINKING THE COLLECTION DEVF-LOP;\IEST PIIESOMENON: A CASE STUDY OF KNUST LIBRARY DAVID VINCENT KWEKU AJlKORFUL A DlSSERTATIO:\' Sl:BMnTED TO llU: DEPA.RTM.~!,\T OF INFOR1\L\TION STt 'DIES , {"'IVERSIT\" OF GHANA , LEGON, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF TIlE REQlJlREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGRt:E IN LIBRARY STUDIES OCTOBER. 1009, University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION Iberebydeclare; 1 ThaI thisdisscrtationiatberesuhofmyownreaearchcaniedoul in the Department of Infoonation Studies i.n the University oC Ghana., under the supervision of Professor Edwin Ellis Badu. 2 n... I have duly KknowJcdgcd all documentary and other 5OW'CeS of infonnalion I blveciledintheworJc. 3. That the study has neither in whole nor in part been presented for another degree elJeWhere. 4 That I am solely responsible for any error.; or omissions that might appear in the ~............. .................... DA YlD VINCENT KWEKU ARKORFlJI. PROF. EDWIN ELLIS BADU (STUDENT) (SUPERVISOR) University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION TIus work is dedicated to my mother, Agnes Du:ocan, my daughters Angela, Barbara and MtcheUe, nol focgetting Comfort Asmah, my rwcc:theart. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have been involval in the conduct of this researcb. I am very grateful to aU of them for their enCIOW'8gement., practical help and pieces of advice. Special mention is made of my supenUor. Professor Edwin Ellis Badu. who pains1.Ikingly read through the drafts and offered COIlItJ'Uctive criticisms to help complete the work. I am indeed grateful to him. To the Head of Department. my lecturers and auxiliary staff of the Department of lnfonnation Studies. your contribution to my success is immeasurable. I am very grateful to you. To all my course nutes I My • big think you. especially ROSel' and Ayesba. I am allO thankful to my mother who s\ood firmly behind me IDd encouraged me during difficult hmes I also Bcknowledp the immense assistance of Gordon Twurn-Barimah, Diana Oppong and Ebenezer MOMey. I am very grateful to them. Finally, 1 would like to express my lincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Comfort Asmab. my swccthcwt. for her unflinching love and IUpport throughout the period of the c::ourse.T'bankyouverymuc:b. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE Of- CONTENTS . .... i Declaration. Dedication •...... Ackoowlodscmeots ... .. .. iii TableofCooleols. ... .. ......... iv List ofTabla: ... .. .. vii List of Abbreviations .. . ........ viil Abstract .... CHAPTER ONE; INTRODUCTION ... .. ..... .•.•.••••• 1 1.1 BoclcgroundloIheSludy .... .. ............. 1 1.2 Statcmenl oftheProble:m .... ....... ............... 3 1.3 Purpo .. SIalOOOceptualjzed collection development. It is. he declared I planning function. Selection is secondary, because it involves making decisions that implement the plan. Attitudes change slowly. However selection is still widely regarded as the quintessential professiooal act. A view that is especially appealing in the light of current fiscal difficulties since it may seem to foHow logjcally that greater care must be el:crcited in making choices if tbeR are feUw tnoi sveelecrts. iAtycc oordfi nGg tho aEndealm hant.t pth:a/t/ luoggics, pboawcevee.ru. mgi.seseds tuh.eg phomt, spending more time evalUiting individual titles is no guarantee of the best possible coUection. The cballengcs arc oot bow well selectors choose materials but that they add the right materials to the collection. To ascertain u.c;cn: interests and needs, Ashworth (1967), advises that before attempting to formulate an acquisitions policy, it is necessary to know the kinds of demand that the library will be called upon to meet and the librarian needs to be in close touch with the users in order to detamine their needs in advance. Tbcre is the need toderennine foreacb discipliDCwhat constitutes a core collection of books, journals, refermce works and bibliographies which would enable a scholar to at least begin researcb agenda in the library. LeIs attention should be given to guessing what patrons might want in future, as more attention is focused on finding ways to supply what they want immediately. Acquisition budgets will gradually reflect the shift from pre-demand stock piling to on demand delivery. 2.3 Collection MaDageme.t Scholars have the perception that col1cction development funding does not end after the selection proce:sses have been completed and the books are put on the shelves. Thus, the term has come to eocompan a broad ranae of activities related to the policiea and procedures of selection, acquisition and evaluation ofUbrary collectiolUl. AiDa (2004) stales that while collection development relates to the telection and acquiation of iIIformaioa 1DIterials, collection management is an all encompassing term that ensures tbere it • bIbnce of materials acquired with re&pect to v.-ious diJcipli.nes and types of materials In addition. it includes 8 policy OD the conservation aod prela'V8tion of IS infOf1nltionU mnatievriealr.,s aist yw eonf aGs thhea wneead ihngt topf: i/n/fuorgmsatpioan cmeat.eurigal.se DdO ulo.nggehr necood. He adds that conection management is divided into the fonowing phases: 1. Selection 2. Acquisitiooofinformationmalerials 3. Weeding 4. Stock revision 5. Conservation and preservation (Aina. 2004) 2.3.1 Selection of Library Materials Selection of library materials is the act of choosing the document that a library wishes to acquire. Selection of library material does not occur in a vacuum. It is done in relation to both the actual and potential usc of the library. Selection assists in adapting to and meeting the changing interests and needs of its users. Many careful decisions hllve to be made by librarians in close collaboration with users before materials are selected or rejected. otherwise. the library cannot simply provide the best services. According to Muherjec (1974) "in the building of the library's book coUcction the determination of the objectives is the most important fundamental in the selection process". 2.3.2 AcquisitioDofLibraryMaterials Acquisition is the process that implements selection decisions. It is a fairly straightforward administrative or businca operation once the decision has been made to acquire an item. It involves securing materials for the bbrary's a;~0D. whether by purchase. gifts or through exchange pUrognriavmemress iatnyd olefg aGl hdeaponsiat rheqttupire:/m/eungtss. pThaec seoc.uurging.e pdrouc.egssh InVOlvcI the preparation afan order form. the tdoctioo ofa vendor, the recording oftbe receipt of the item and finally paymenl for the item. It must be noted, however, that even though details of acquisition work vary from Hbrary to library, the basic: routine work i.nvolved in lite process remains the same all OVlr the world. The routine won. in acqwsition involves obtaining infonnation about tho materiaJs to be acquircd,obtain.ingarccordofbibliograprucdetailssucbasthctitle,author,dateandplaceo( publication. publisher and the price. II involves determining that the library does not already have that material and has not previously ordered the requested item so as to avoid duplication. The next state involves identification ofpossihle sources of supply for each item, preparation and dispatch of the orders and maintaining records of the materials ordered. When an item 1$ eventually acquired, it is processed through. series of intemaJ library opc:ratioWl 5ucb as cata10guing and accessioning before it becomes available 10 the user. The four meanJ of acquiring library materials; purchases, gifts, exchanges and deposits have alreadybcenalludedto. Purchases of library itcnu are done through II variety of sources; they may be obtained from jobben. dealen Of publi.iher$. Similarly, the actual mechanism for the purchase may be done through a variety of mam. Some tbc:se are finn orders and subscriptions whereby orders are placcd with a vendor for tbe supply of specified items for a speeified time and at a spccified price, by standinl orders there are arrangements with vendors to supply all volumes or parts of specific titles as and when they appear. There are abo blanket purchues for the supply of copy of all publication outlined in an agrec:mmt and finally, there are approvaJ plans whereby malaialspreviouslyoutJinedinaprofilearesupplicdbythevendortotbelibrary. Library matUcrniIIi.v mearys aitIy., obef aGcqhuiarend aas hgitftbp f:r/o/mu g8 svparaietcye o.fu sogu.receds;u t.rgomh mUlvlduals. groups. other libraries and organizations and sometimes from publishers. Gifts may come as individual items or as part of. ool1ectioo of materials. Gifts may be solicited or unsolicited. A bomey may exchange materials it publishes with those published by other institutions. or with those publilbcd by others and given to the library for materials published by other libnricsorinstitutiODSusua1lyono()nc--for~'tIlebasis. Very often serials are used as the basis for exchanges. A group. organisation or publisher as a means of making items more readily avail.ble to the readers may place materials on deposit in the library. The library usually rewns the materials permanently in its collection. When this is done it is referred to as legaJ deposit. This is the process of examining the entire stock of A library to ensure that it adequately meet the needs of users. It involves both selection and logistic factors. some of which are deciding 00 the number of titles a b'brary should stock; and how to modify such titles as the use of the libnary changes; and how to hold fresh stock so as to sustain the interest of the users. lbis process is invariably systematic as continuous and it ensures that the matenals that a library holds on any subject are revised every few years. 2.3.4 WeediaC Weediog is a pari of the stock reviaion exercise but it is often canied out independenUy. It it tbellCtivityofexaminin,gitemsiDab"braryanddetenniningtheircurrentvaluetotbelibrary's coDoction.. Weeding iI kDowo by different n.a.m es in the United Kingdom and the United States of AUmenriicva.e Irns tihtey foorfm Ga' hcoaunntray. hit ttisp r:e/f/eurrgeds pto aacs est.ouckg r.eeledgautl.ognh WrulSl 1Il the latter it IS kno\o\'Il as C»sclection. McGraw (1956) defines weeding as ""the practice of discarding or transferring to storage excess copies of rarely used books and materials DO loogerofuse." The reason for weeding according 10 MagrilJ and Corbin (1989) are economy and quality of service. In this regard weeding is done to save money, to improve service. to allow for a more effective use of the library's~. for example, with regard to shelving space and staff required to maintain shelves and such others. To do weeding effectively, use, value or quality and current physical condition of the item are considered. Thus, materials may be needed because their use has declined or has ceased altogether or damaged beyond repair. Materials weeded may be sold, given out as gifts or thrown away. Where the weeded material is still of some value to the library it is transferred to a less accessible and usually less expensive storage location. The library invariably determines weeding programmes administratively. It is worth noting that collection development and later collection management functions were carried out firstly with the view to select materials to support the disciplines of Ihe pvcnt organizatioo. Secondly collections of materials were done in anticipalion ofuser need. Aina', (2004) assertion stems from the fact that collection development is undertaken bearing ill mind the needs of the academic institution. Therefore evet)1hing done to protect the selected materials and make them available to the: user can be considered u collection management. These include conservation and praervation of the selected materials. If the materiah; are DOt propc::rly and effectively preserved the contents will be lost and the objectives of collection development cannot be achieved. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.4 UluEdac.atiMi 10ere are vanous perceptions OD user education regarding what it is and what it ;s coocemed with. Writing on user education in university librvics; what, why and bow7 Sewa (1992) defines user education as "any effort fonnal or informal. which will guide and inrtrUct existing and potential user in the rec::ognitioa and information needs. in the effective and efficient useofinformatioo service and the assessment ofsourcemateriaJs that can satisfy spccificrequirement.5". Bannerman (2001). in her work on the importance of information Jitcrncy defines information competence as "the training oflibrary users to be able to find, evaluate, use and communicate infonnation in all its various forms" Colloction development procedures aim at meeting the infonnation needs of the user. lbis can only be achieved when the users are information literate and have the ability to exploit the library feaources. According to Hutchinson and Sawyer (2000), informatlOn literacy is trainingstudcnland othc:r users to bc able to find,analyzeand useinfonnation to further their career. User education in academic library is increasingly important and should be effectively implemented considering the fact that many libraries have gone digjtaJ and the search for inrormation online has become complex and widespread. Th("TC is a new phenomenon to collection development in academic libraries, and this has necessitated the need to inteaWfy user education for the user lO be able to access the relevant information at the right time. access services. They have set forth some provocative ideas about collections and collection building. Gossen and lrviD.& (1994) for Q8mple have observed thai within the past decade in .eedanic libraria. ecooomic realities Nve called a paradigm shift away from an anphasi. 20 on acquirinUg ncoimveprresheintysi voe fr eGseharachn cao llhectttipon: //tou gans pemapcheas.ius gon.e ddevue.lgophmg euedive methods for maintaining acces! through interlibrary loan and commercial documents delivery to researcb materials that areinfrcquently used in a particular institution. Schad (1992), in his article similarly refers to views expressed byschoJars about the changing role of ac:adcmic libraries from collection development to access services. He states that Summers (1989), for example predicted that libraries wHl move from a function of collcctina materials in anticipation of user need to one of acquisition upon presentation of need. Only • few major research libraries, he reasoned, should maintain large retrospective col1ections. Hoadley and Corbin (1990) speculated that the prejudice in favour of acquisitions will d.i5lppcar as the emphasis moves to fulfilling the needs of users rather than simply building lergercoUections. Mucwn (1990,) states that according to Schad (1992), library school students win need to learn more about how to identify and locate materials needed by scholars and less about how to build increasingly large local collcctions. These ideas suggest that f'wldamcntal change is at hand. Today, perceptions held about ICIdcmic librariea have changed dramatically. The emphasis on library services is shifting &om collection of books to easy access to information. The advent of many new technologies in the past few years has led to increased opportunitie! in infonnation delivery. Difficult economic timel for institutions of higher education have led to both serious diiCUSiioos and collabontive ventures in alternative methods of providing information. Due to the llUJDerouB problems libraries are facing in an attempt to build comprehensive Ind up- to-datecollec:tiom.atteD&ion is now focused on consortiabuildiDg. According Uto nAivlc:emrnsa itaynd oAf nGtwhi a(2n00a2 )h, tat pli:b/r/auryg sopouaocrteiw.un gm.aeyd tuak.ge hme 101m of coopuabve llmIJ'lgemc:nt bctweCD several libraries, for example, for loaning books Of an dcctronic network inter-oonnecting ddfc:rcnl Libnuies., or number of these together. They furtberstatedthal, cu:rmtly there is a new focus 00 corl3Oltia building worldwide due to the followingrcuons: a. The quality of service is enhanced b. The cost of service is reduced c. Duplication of SIoc:k is minimized Consortium building is increasingly placing empbuis on computerized. mUltiwlibrary networks involving shared databases, telec:ommunication links and common applications. Miller (1993) contends that library managers face the dilenuna of how to balance the need to develop libnry oollec:tions with the need 10 lequire and capitalize on new technologies; many aredecidinltocmphasizelCCeS5toratherthanowncrshipofresources. Maintaining and further developing collection is predictably harder than acquiring the milia] collection. Even the best academic libraries havedifficu1ty meeting the noods of their users 81 they Itrug,gtc to keep up with the current flood of infonnation sources in an expensive vwitty of fonn.ts. For example Harvard is now adding around 200,000 volumes annually. although the world's publishing output has grown more than 600,000 titl~ annually. In other words DOt even libraries as wellwsupported as Harvard can keep up with the information eJtplosiooandthc:inflatinacostsofseholarlymateriaJ,. It is now vcryclcar that bec:ause of the rising oost ofacbolarlymateria19 c:speciallyacademic journals and boob. mo.t academic libraries find it difficult to continue with their su1»cripllons. University budgets are dec.Teu.ing while the co.t of IICIIdaruc journals is ikyrocketinUg. nAisv ae rrasuilt"y I loDfiv cGn:hitiaal narae uhntatbple: /to/u pgursc:phuaec veit.aul jgou.erndalu S.UgDhscnpuons that help boost the quo1ity and suc=' of _e......w. Fergwoo and Kehoe (1993) argue that no library can own everything wllltad by its patrons. Nevertheless, most academic Ubraries have traditionally tried to own as much as possible and borrow as little as possible because owning an item provides faster patron 800css than waiting to borrow or purchase it upon demand. Howevtt, spiraling acquisitions costs have caused libraries to rethink bow much informatioa they can own and how much they will borrow or purchase from document deliverySClVices. In conclusion. no library, however, extensive its resources or luge its budget can afford to stock all the materials for its present and future users. Since in these days of financial stringcncy, no library achievcs complete self-sufficiency, il is prudent for academic library \0 rely on the back·up ICI'Vicee of interlibrary 10an network consortia and other library cooperation for building its collection. Academic libraries. with the need to acquire IIId capitalize on new technologies, are deciding to emphasize access to, rather than ownership of 2.6 Informatioa T«baology is Academic Libraries Kingmann (2009) stated that digital resources play an increasingly important role in academic libraries which must demonstrate their value to the institution and their impact on student learning and outcome in new and more compelling ways. If academic librariet are indeed bcoomin& c:ollaboraton in multimedia·rich, user·empowered. disinter mediated free..for.aJl where their value will be: proven only by demonstrably improving outcomes in leamin& tcaching and re5Cal'Ch. academic h"braries must demonstrate in new and more compelhng ways bow electrOniC raouroes contribute to the: 80als of their institulions. nus requires moving beyood Ullin, c--metrica solely for coUoction management or budSCUWy decisions to 2) exploring aUndn vivaleidrastinitgy t hoe f reGlahtioan nbaet whetetnp c:l/e/cutrgonsipc arecsoeur.cuegs .aendd uot.hgerh rne&!>ueI of blnry and instiMiooaJ outcomes. Many bitherto printed materials now appear in the form of CD-ROM, web pages and full- text datIbascs. The average cost of accessing electronic publishing has bec.."R found to be much cbcaper than owning the entire issues of 8 journal. Other advantages of online access are ease of accessibility and currency or regular update of infonnation. 1.7 Factors Affeclillg Collection Dcveloprmot to Libraries Magrill and Corbin (1989) writing on collection development environment, acknowledge the fact that since the mid·1970s. librarians have placed more emphasis on better manugerncnt of library collections. According to them, librarians have been brought to the point of engaging inbro.dandralionalplanningforthegrowthllIldmaintenanceoftheirlibraries'colJections by a variety of factors. One of the major factors has bCl.:n diminished financial resources. The ehanging structure of the knowledge distribution system, shifting government policies concerning the financing of education and research and the support or suppression of infonnation and vuiatioos in public attitudes towards schools and libraries also contribute to lhcpres..~ure for planning and evaluation. Government influences collection development in libraries through a variety of public policies that COVet the financing of research and development and other kinds of data collection. the regulatioD of information technology and the encouragement or rutriction of tbedistributionofcutainkiDdJofinfonnation. MagJill and. Corbin (1989) further state that "perhaps the area of government activity with the most direct effects on ool1ectioD development is the one thai involve. policiQ concerning public access to infonnation. Tbc policiea which determine which documeotJ sball be ellllitied aUs niversityseen:{ Of wh Ko:bf Gstahtisaticns aa ohd ttopth:e/r/ udgatas pshaalcl eb.eu cgol.leecdteud .gbyh govt:llUJlCDl agencies are of vital conoem to Iibnrics Jt:rVin& rc5CII'Ch speCIalists. Anything thai a government does to record or distribute informltion 10 the public opens up new possibilities for collection devclopment On the other hand, anything the govenunenl does to impede the public'saccesstoinfonnationcausesfrustrationsforlibnrilllS". Further 10 the factors that influence collection development in libraries, MagriU and Corbin (1989) identify what they term as local conditions being the conununity or inJtitution, the pwpose (s) of the library, thc clientele, thepre:sent collection Illd the available resources. lhc academic library performs this core function of collection development 10 meet the information noods or its patrons. The importance of knowing the library's community cannot be over-emphasized. as this is, of course, a library's main objective. Scbool,college and Wliversity libraries have also been affected bycen.ainaspocts,otherthan oxmomic, of the academic environment. Changes in the Slz.e and composition of the student body and the (acuIty in teaching methods, in areas of study and in research methods and interests have required more and different library materials and more duplication of $elected ilans. Cline and SiMOII (19H3) identified several developments that affect particular academic library collections. In addition to decreased buying power, declining budgets and changes in the college or university. academic librarians have faced the increased visibility of their operations 10 college and university administrators and the expectations of those administratoR that librarians will engage in businesslike planning and teponing. Cocrune:oting on the factors that affect collection development in univenity librariea, Andrade and Vergueiro (1996) state that "some authors believe that libraries are now goins through a total shift in their penpcctiw., moving a focus on ownership 10 one in which acceIS and terVicc are.a:ordcd a priority. OocliDing resources are only one of the £acton wbich arc driving libUrarnieisv teowrslli'dty, thoef fGacihlitaatnioao bhetttwpe:e/n/ uthge scplieanct eaD.du gkn.oewdleud.gge hregaro.u::u of physic:al location or owoenb.ip. Undoubtedly. lhi.i: shift in philOlOPby is bringing new cbal1enges to librarians, given cXJsung resowte level; they will probably need to bave • budgcting, in order '0 rnanageand even 10jusrifythe redueed budget". 2.11 Conclusion 1be Literature reviewed in the study has covered extensively in collection development in lCaClemic librarics. Academic libraries are undergoing a period of transformation. A new paradigm hI! comc to cbaracterize academic libraries. The principal role of providing academic matenaJs and infonnation sources to meet the information needs of the university community has come under serious challenge. Several factors ranginB from cut in budget" high cost of academic books and journals, advance in information technology and proliferation of inform.tion have influenced collection development. There is therefore the need 10 retrunk about collection development in order to enhance ac:rvice delivery IDd access to information. Digital resources and sharing of reeoun::es with other academic institutioas play an increasingly important role towards Khievio& the objectives of collection development. Ubrarians are bcing urgod 10 refocus on providing information upon demand other than collection development in anticipation of user need. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh R~ftren('n AlNA. LO. (2004) I jbntry and lnfnrmatioo Scim" Tqt f(K Afilca. fbIdan: Third World Infonnat.iooSavX:esUmited.pp.2S6-272. ALEMNA. A.A. aod AN1WI, I.K. (2002) A Review of Consortia Building among University Libraries in Africa. Lihwy MW8G'Kl'b Vol. 23, No.4IS, pp.2J~2J8. ANDRADE. O. and VERGUElRO, W. (1996) Colloction Oevelopmau in Academic Lt"brtries: a Brazilian library' s experience. New I jhrwy World Vol. 97, No.4 . pp. IS - 241 ASHWORm, W. (1967) Hpihook no SF" Uhmjenlhip ond Ipfonn.ljon work _]Jd ed .• London: Aslib. pp.37-39. BAKER, D. (1992) Access venus Holdings Policy with special reference to the University of EastAnglia.1ntg1qy1j"pArKlJ)ocuroenl Supply 20 (4), pp. 131-137 BANNERMAN, v . (2001) The lmportADce of information literacy in Academic Libraries in Ghana: QIwy Uhn!yloyma! Vol.ll. pp. IS-20. CABUTEY. AOOOOAOYE. E (1988) Collection development in developing countries : A Hypothetical Pcnpective. Ghana Ljbrary Inwpel Vol. 6, No. I. pp.2(}'30. CUNE. H,F. and SlNNOTI, LT. (1983) The Electronic Library: The impact of automation on tadcmic libraria, LexinJlOft., Mass: Lexington Boob. P. 186 EDELMAN. H. (1979) Selection Mdhodolo8)' in Academic Libraries. ~ and Tochnical Services No n p. 34. EVANS, E. (1995? ~?R.librvy wi Infonnetjnn Cmtrr fplltlSi9O' 31d ed,. EnaJewood. Colo: Ubnri .. UIIlimiI llry fonned the nucleus of the library at KNUST, Kumasi. Initially, the library was housed in temporary prefabricated buildings at the Bio'ogica1 Science Department. At the moment the Main Library is accommodated in two separate four-tier buildings which have been joined together. This bas been made possible by an Academic Board decision to ease the congestion which hitherto compelled large nwnbers of users to look elsewhere due to the lack of reading apace. The various departments of the Main Library are spread within the four walls of the two buildings. Thc::Ic departments include the Ubrary Administration, Acquisitions. Processing. Lending. Reference, Serials, Law Library and Photocopying Section. 3.3.3 Administrative Department The Administrative Department is directly responsible for handling all matters pertaining to the adrnirustntioo oftbe libraries within the university. It is headed by the University Ubrarian. and other administrative staff members including Administrative Assistants. Typists. Clerks, Messengers and an Accountant. 3.3.4 Acq.isitions Department The Acquisitions Department acquires relevant library materials that include books, journals, manuscripts. mipi etc. all in print fonnat. The deparbnent also acquires online journals and databasel to IUpport thc 8C8danic work of the University. Materials selected for acquisition are obtained through local and foreign purchases, donations and exchanges. Some local publishers also send copies of their works to the library in compliance with the legal deposit law of Book and Newspaper Act 1963. Ohm&. Graduate thcsesIdissertations and boWld journals are also important sourc;a of acquisition by the libnry. In recent tiUmcnai. vheorwseivteyr. odfo nGatihonas nhav he trtopm:/e/ utog srepraescenet .umge .eIqdau\.g Ih'Iv. ........... n of materials acquired by the library. The majority of these are received from the Ghana Book Trust., Book Aid Intematioo.aI and the United Nations and its affiliates like the WHO, FAO and UNESCO. 3.3.5 Serials DepartmeDt The serial, Department is raponsiblc for the subscription; processing and display of journals. Journal. received are displayed on racks in the department, while back issues are kept on shelves for consultation by users until they are ready (or binding. Users are oot aJlowed to remove jouma1s and newspapers to read in any part of the library other than the serials section. Users are also not allowed to borrow any materials in this department. A database lw been created for local newspapers and it has been given the name INDEX. 3.3.6 Cataloguing Department The Cataloguing Department is charged with the processing of all materials acquired by the uni\'fmity library. Suc:h materials are classified. catalogued and indexed for easy identificationaodlocation. Sincethc 1985/86 academic ycar, the libmyhas stufted from the sbeafcataJogue 10 thc card catalogue 3.3.7 Leadinl Department The Lending Department houses books wbich could be borrowed by users for reading outside the b"brary premises. It also handles the registration o( new users, user education, and mtcrlibraty lOaD transactions and offen assistance to users generally. 3.3.8 Rdutllee5 ad Research Library The materials fOUDd. ill this library are mainly reference works, notably dictiOnaries. CDC)'CIopcdiu,. bibltographies, aeographicaJ SOurcel, periodica1 indexes, subject indexes and 35 directories. U11nlcisvereerfas-ictoyo comfa tGerihaia. anrca m heatnttp f:o/r/cuongsWstpalaIOcDe W.ultrgun.e mde uIIU.glAhl1 ..... ....annot be borrowed. The main fuoctiOD of this department is to bIad1e readen' enquiries. 3.3.9 UBdel"lraduateLibrary The Undergraduale Ll"brary stocks multiple copies of prescribed and core books. It is a reserved collection and books may onJy be consulted within the libnry premiSCi. However, the Librarian may allow ovc:migbt borrowing of materials. 3.3.10 GhanaColI«tion This is • special collectioo of materials on Ghana. It includes Departmental Reports. Ordinances, Map of Ghana, Legislative Assembly Reports and Government Publications. The materials in this section are on closed &OCeS3 and arc used for reference only. 3.3.11 Theses/DissertationsColiections The LI."bnryco!lects unpublished graduate thesesldissertations from all the facultieslinstitutes and schools in the university. The collection is for reference only. Undergraduate reports are, however, kept in the respoctive Facultiesl Institutes and Scbool Libranes. 3.4 Sel«tiono(SubJKU Acxording to Busha and Harter (1980), the concept of population is fundamental to every research. PopuJation is any set of objects that have .t least one conunon characteri$tic. 1unior Library Assistants, Library Assistants or Senior Staff and Profession&) Librarians or Senior Members were !elected as the rubjects for the study. The staff strength of the three CIlegOries oflmrat}' pc:rsoMel. named above, Itood at 85 as al thai time. They were made up of Junior Ll"brary AaUtanu at the KNUST Library who have not received any formal baining in b'bnrianlbip. Library AssiJtaots are those who have received some formal training in Uiibnr&ivriaensrbsipi tyII oleaf stG aht tahen cae rhtiftict.psl:e/ /luevgels. pThaecy eal.suo glD.echdtOue .lgOOhK wu ... have saved the university for at least 20 years. Senior Members have acquired postgraduate Diploma, Muter of Arts or Mascer ofPhilosopby degrees in Library Studies. The table below illustrates the staffing situation of the KNUST Librai)' personnel. Table 3. t: Categories or staff at the KNUST library Staff Number Junior Library Assistants 44 LibraryAssiSlaDts 22 Professional Librarians 19 Total 85 The researcher considered the entire population w:ry usefu] 10 tho .tudy. The researcher personaBy did the distribution of the questionnaires to the respondents at their work places. The researcher further did the collection of the questionnarres at mutually agreed dates and thiI facilitated • web response rate. In some cases the researcher collected completed questionnaires from reapoodentson che spot. The research work took place al the time the university was on recess aDd both students and lecturers were on holiday. It must be noted; however, Ibat one senior member after collecting the questionnaire later reported sick and subsequently took a sick leave. All attempts by the researcher to collect the questiOMaUe failed. 3.5 Sampling According to Webster (1985), a sample il a finite part of. statistical population whose propcdie5 are studied to pio information about the whole. Wbco dealing with people, il caD be defined lIS a setofre:spondeoas telec:tcd from a larger population fortbe purpose ofa survey. webster furtb« defines sampling as the act. process of tecbnique of .electing • 37 ruitablc samUpnlci,v ersiOf I rteyp roesfc rGUthivae npaart hotft p://I popuugJastiopoa fcore t.hueg p.We"dp0u5e. g01h oac:nuining pcmleters or charactc:nstlcs of the whole popuJation. Gujarati (2003) maintains that in terms of statistIcal malysis of survey data, it is important \0 note that the critical Itudcol values for sample sizes of 120 and beyond (up to infinity) are practically the same. Heoce a minimum sample size of 120 in surveys is useful. lhe whole popuJation of the study comprising library pcnonod of the KNUST Library selcctod for the Jtudy came to 8S . The researcber used census in lelccting the population because it serves the rcalpurpoaeaOOobjcctoftheresearch. 3.6 Data Collection wtrumeDt Tlti. section discusses how relevant information wu collected from the respondents. and the datac:olloction instnrment used 10 accomplish the task. A data collection instnunent is any device used in gathering data or infonnation to facilitate the measurement of variables. Tadde (2004), citing Atengdem (1997) suggests that the under-listed be considered when cboosing a data collec:tioo instrument: L Ease of admini5tration b. EaseofelicitingrelpOnse c. PreciliofttDdaccuracywithwhiehtomeasurevariables d. Validityandreliabilityoftheinstrwnc:nt,and e. Practiea1limitatiomoftimeandcost Since it was a sut'V'e)' reseerdt. the questionnaire was used to solicit infonnltion appropnate foranalytis. Self-administa'edque&tionnaires comprisingbotb closc-endod and open-ended questions wUernc idveengrnseidt yan od fd iGstrhibautneda C oh tthtep J:u/n/uiogr Lsipbraarcy eA.susigst.aentds. u~.egmohr or ubrar)' Assistants and Senior Members of the KNUST Library involved in the study. Questionnaire is often used as an instrument for coUecting primary data. This involves the construction of • series of questions designed 10 elicit the desired data and infonnation required for the study. Questionnaires were used in this study because they allow for. wider range and distribution to cover 100% of the population. The researcher used the census method in which the same set of questions was answered by aU respondents. Above all, questionnaires enswe anonymity for respondents hereby securing objective answers. Botbstructu:redandunstructurcdqucstionswereused. Structuredqueslionsarecharacterized by a group of fixed responses. They do not, therefore. elicit unpredictable responses. Unstructured questions are also known IS open·ended questions. They are questions to which answen from which respondents would choose were not provided. A total of 8S questioruLlires were personally distributed to all the three categories of the b"brary personnel at the KNUST Library, namely Junior Staff, Senior Staff and Senior Members. Eight four completed questionnaires were retrieved personally by the researcher. The response rate was 98.8%. On1y one (I) person (1.2%) did not return a questionnaire. The respondent had taken her leave after collecting the questionnaire. The Table 3.2 below illustrates the number ofquestioMaires distributed and the response ratc. Table 3.1: Distributed Questionnair-es and Respondents ~ndealCatecory Questionnaire QuestioDnaires Received SeniorMemben 19 18(94.7%) 22 22(100.0%) JuniorStafl' 44(100.0"4) 85 84(98.8%) University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 3.7 OltaA. .l ysu Anlwcn provided by the respondents 011 the questionnaires wen: categorized on the basis of the divergent views expm:sc:d. 1'be8e views were expressed in percentaICS lUi ranked. thus markmg out. levels of agreement or diw:rgc:nce of views. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the data analysis. According to Nie. et aI (1975). the developers of the SPSS uve presented the social scientist with A useful working language for dulDllysis. Thisprovidcs users witb substantiaJ incrcase in the ease and flexibility with which they c:a. tackle their day- kHiay UK of the computer. This was what was used to calculate the responses in percentages. This was done by initially coding both open-ended and closo-ended questions contained in the questionnaire. The coding WAS to ensure that information with each response was given a value to make the entry of responses easy. After the DeCeIAI)' entries. the analysis was undc:rtaken and the results produced. From thCle anaI)'CI abies were drawn to describe the various phenometll that wen: covered by the raearcl!. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ReftrtbCfl ~=D::~:'!'P~~~~:T'ru::~~~Q~=J;=~I=~ Reading, UK (W>pUbhshcd). BURNS, R.B. (2000) lotmdw;tion tq Rs;nrrh Metbodt London: SAGE Publications, P.145 BUSHA. C.H. tnd HARnER, S.P. (1980) Rr:v;pch Methods in I jhwiang,jp' Trdmjgues ~S.. Diqo: AcadcmicPrcss..pp.5S-S7. GUJARA Tl, N. (2003) Basic Ecnnnmclric AnalYJis . ... ed., London: McGraw-ifill p.IOO2. KUMEKPOR, 1 .K-B. (2002) Rfl6e!II'Sb MrJhpds and Tqhniguq of Social Reat::II'clI NIE, N. d al (197S)~jc.a1 PeclF;,.fgrtbc SociII Sciences. New York: McGraw· Hill OKRAH, M.K. (2007) Kw&!Pe N1crumah lJnjymily Of Science and TecbooioBY Kumui Qhw: Fact. and Figures KNUST. Kwnasi: University Press. TACKlE, T.N.I. (2004) An AS~essment of Cgmnrals Lihn.rics in mce1.lOg the mformation needs ofstatr· A Survey of hhraries in selected financial InstitutioDF An MA Dissl,. . 'rtation In library studies: Dcp:u1mctlt oflnfonnAlion Studies, University of Ghana. (Unpublished). WEBSTI:R. M. (1985) Webster', ninth new collegiate dictionary. Meriam Webster Inc. ZACH, L (2006) "Using I Multiple - Case studies design to investiple the information _ sccki.nsbc:baviorofArtsadm.ini,trators"~Vol.SS,No.l.pp. 4_21. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh CIIAPTER FOUR DATA ANALYSIS AND FlNDINGS 4.1 Introduction In this chapter, findings of the study have been presented and data from investigations wen:: also analyzed. The finding; consist of the outcome of a swvey conducted on Junior Library Aniltmts, Senior or Library Assistants and Senior Members or Professional Librarians oftbe KNUST Library. The chapter is divided into sections to facilitate a c:ogeot presentation and analysi5 of facts and figures provided from the responses obtained from the questionnaires. AnaJysisoftherespmsesisprescntediotbeenJUingsections. 4.1 FiDdiDgsfromtileQuestioDDalres As earlier stated in this work, a set of questionnaire was administered to the Jurtior Library Auiltanli, Senior or Library Assistants and Senior Members or Professionals of the KNUST Library System. The same set of questions was designed for these three categories of staff. The first part of the QucstioMaire focused OIl respondents' persona) data including length of service and library qualification. The second part covered awareness of access to infonnation concept, library cooperation Illld information technology or automation. The third part focused on collection development. 4.2.1 Departments of the Respondents SiDce October 2004, the Kwame Nkrumab University of Science and Tedmology has been operating a collegiate system. Apart from the main University Library, there are six other college libraries in all the six reconstituted colleges. The college libraries are as aresull of the amalpmoltioa of faculty l.ibnries and departmental libraries. The KNUST Library S)'Itc:m comprises the main University Library, College Libnriea, Faculty and Departmental TbeTable4U.1n sibvoewrIslhiatyI 5 o0 fli bGrahryapenl1aO ohotctlp(S:9/./2u%g) swporat cate th.ue gUr.uevderusl.tyg LhlOnay. At the various COU. Libraries, 20 pcm>Md (23.8%) work !here. At the Fwty Libraries 12 b'brary personnel (14.3%) wOO:: there. Then the staffing situation at the Depctmentallibraries is 2 (2.4%). This is an indication that all the rcspective libraries are active and func:tional. The libraries undertake all kinds of library services including collection development and eccess toinfonnationdeJivery. Table 4. I: Pl.~orworki..l.theLibr.rySystem Pla<=e~Work -r--Numbcr-(N=84) - -.- --;;cPe.-.-•c c• -= ta""g.-:::(';,7"C,)----, ~--t---SO- 59.5 College library 20 23.8 Faculty Library 14.3 toepartmenlallibrary 2.4 ~ -----+--~84~--+--,IAAOO~.Oo/.".-~ ~ ---~-----~----~ 4.1.1 Job Designation Another area of inler~1 as far os the new phenomenon of access 10 infonnation is concemcd, is the caliber and the qualityofthe library personnel. 'Therefore the respondents were asked 10 state their job designations. The statrhierarchy ranges from the Univenity Librarian down to thcJUDiorUbraryAuiSWlI. Table 4.2 shows that the KNUST Ubrary System is beaded by the University Ubrarian. The bead is assisted by • Deputy Librarian. There was ODe (1.2~.) Senior lnfonnation Conununication Tccbnology (1CI1 assistant who was the heMl of the ICT centre. There are two (2.4"0) SenKw AsaiItant. Librarians and as many IS thirteen (15,5%) Assistant Librarians. From the Assistant La'bnrians upwards are the Senior Members of the library System. Tbe table further portrays that there are two (2A%) Chief Library Assistants at the KNUST Library. ThUe PnriiDvceiprasl Litiybr woyf AGsiihst.aDntsa a rhe tatllpO: /tw/uog. Tshpc:rac care .suevgen. el~dU~u"'.)g ;h)eJllUI J...Ibrary Assistants. WbereastbeLibraryAssistantsareelcven(13.1%) in number. From the Chief ubrary Assistant down to the Library Assistant form the Senior Staff Category of Ihe KNUST Library System. From the foregoing. the total number of Senior Staff is 22 (26.2%). A$ mao)' as 44 (52.4%) personnel form the Junior Staff Category. The total number of library penonncl of the KNUST Libnry System is 8S.This number includes one senior member whose questionnaire was not retrieved. Table 4. 2: Job DeiignatioD of Respondents --~ .. _._. ~n'- Numbu(N=84) Percentage(%) ~ibr~an I f--- - eniorlCfas.s.istant I 1.2 peputyLibrarian ""I 1.2 ~eniorAssjstantLibrarian -----2" 2.4 jAssistantLibrarian 13 15.5 biefLibraryAssillCant 2.4 rioci~ Library Assistant 2.4 enior Library AssistaDt 8.3 LibcvyAssiatant 13.1 wUocLibraryAssistant 52.4 otal 84 100.0 This is • sizeable number made up of IUgh calibre of library personnel with inunense experieoce. As expected they perform various libnvy functions includill8 infonnation delivery. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 4.2.3 Leagib of Service at the KNUST Ubrary The respondents were further asked in Ihe questionnaire to state the Dumber of yem they have worked in the bOrary. The possible answers nmged from under one year, I-Syears, 6- IOyears, ll-15years, 16-2Oyears, aod over20years service. Table 4.3 shows that silL (7.1%) personnel have worked under one year. Thirty·eigbt (45.2%) of the staff have worked between 1 and 5years. Twenty (23.8%) staff members have also worked between 6 and IOycan. From 11 to ISyean service. 5 (6.0-/.). personnel indicated. five (6.0%) personnel have also worked from 16 to 20yeu-s. Ten (I 1.9%) personnel indicated lhat they have worked from 16 to 20years and above. It can be deduced from the above infonnatioa or data that a large number of the staff has considerable number of working experience in the library. The questionnaire was de5igned to know the expel'ience and capebilities of the staff. Table 4. 3: RespoDses to Length of Service at the KNUST Library Underoneyeu 7.1 6-10ycars 20 23.8 ~ 6.0 16-20yeus 6.0 Over 20-" 10 11.9 Total 84 100.0% University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 4.lA QuaUficatioa(s) In Ubnriansblp The reapondeou have variou.s qualifications in Librariansbip. It was necessary to know the various qualifications of the blnwy personnel since lhis could be used IS a yardstick to measure the effiCIency and knowledge of the staff in terms of rendering library services. Table 4 below indicates that 2(2.4%) of the staff have Master of Philosophy in Library Studies. AJj many as 12(14.3%) oftbe staff have Master of Arts in LibraJ)' Studies. Those with Postgraduate Diploma are 4 (4.8%). Three «3.6%) of the staffbave Bachelor of Arts in lnfonnation Studies. As many as 13 (15.S%) of the staff have done the Diploma course in Library Studies. Only 2(2.4%) have certificates in Library Studies. Forty-eight (57.1%) oftbe total staff did not have any Certificate in Library Studies. As many as 36 (42.9%) of the total library penonnel have undertaken various academic or profcssional training in librarianship. Table 4. 4: Educational Qualification(s) oftbe Respondents ~catiop --~ - ~umber-;;;(N"--84~")'-- ----.---=P-.r.•-•- :-.a-ge'7.(%""'j----. ~~ ~ Masters of Arts 12 14.3 PnaIt!roduat.Diploma 4.8 &dlelorofArts 3.6 Diploma 13 15.5 Certific:ate N. ... 48 57.1 Total 84 100.0 '---. 4.1.5 Library IXnoanel.,.arepess of Access to Information The main focus of this research is access to information as a new phenomenon. It wu therefore very necc:ssary to find out from the respondents their awareness about this phenomenon. T'hiI was necessary since there is a new dimcn.sion to collection development Libraries an: moving away from the conY..C alionai practice of collcctina materials in anbC1pafionU onfi v~er soietcyd otof Gacchesas ntoa ihnftotrpm:a/t/iuong suppona cdeem.uangd.. eIdDCu .fgOhpu"u ....... .-e supposed lO rcndc:r or deliver library services to their users, and lhc:ir aw8lCllCSS to the new IXIDCq)twulbsolutelybClCCSS&ry In m answer to the questioo as to wbetbet the scaff members wae aware of the access 10 information CODeq:It, as lDIIly IS 68 (81 .0%) answered in the positive whilst 16 (19.0%) of the rc:mainina indicated wac unsW'C. It showed that majority of the staff are aware of the 8CCCSS to ioformatjoo concept. This development is very encouraging since it is only when the awarenen is cmded before decisions could be implemented to enhance acceu to infonnation. Table 4.5 reflects tile level of staff awareness to the access concept. Table 4. 5: Awa~.ess of Access to Information Concept 4.2.6 Accas to IafOl'llllltioD Illd priority in the dischar&e of duties Respondents were further asked whether in the discharge of their duties to the user conununity. w;x:es.s to information is coosidc:rcd a priority. In tapOnJC, 63 (75.00"') answered in the aflinMtive. 10 (J 1.9"/.) Rnlwaed in theneaative, and the remaining II (13.1%) were The study showed that the majority of the fOfpOOdenlS have K«IS to information ., a priority in the disc::barp of dleir duties. This is eoc:ouragins sincc it is only by doing so that the objeahu of the c:oUcction development could be ac:hievcd IDd the purpoec ror the _oflhe_clilnryachievcd Table 4U. 6n: iversAiteyc eouf t oG lnhfoarlnlUati ohDt tap p:r/i/ourigtys ipll athce edi.sucgha.reged 0u1 .OgUhUin Access a Priority Number (N-84) Percentage (-I.) 63 75.0 No 10 11.9 Not Sure 13.1 ToW 84 100.0 '--- 4.1.7 Policy on AcceN to InformatioD A laid down policy on ac:ccss to informluon is considered very necessary in the delivery of information servicca to users. In response 10 the question whether the library has a written or documented policy on IICCaIIlo information. 52(38.1%) answered in the positive, whilst the mnaining52 (61.9%) were unsure. A laid down policy 00 access to information would serve as 8 guideline in the implementation of access to infonnation decisions. 1be fulfillment of efficient and effective delivery of information service in an academic library would depend largely on I documented accesspoUcy. Table 4. 7: Laid Down Access Polky Access Policy Number (N-84) Percentage(%) Yes No 32 38.1 Don't know 52 61.9 Toto! 84 100.0 4.1.8 Use of InttrlibraJ')' Lo .. as a S.pplcmeat The researcbCl" wmt.c:d to know from the reapondCDb wbetha- the library uses interlibrary loan as a supplement to collection development Surprisingly, 56 (67'''-) of the respoodeots &niwered in thcnegalive. Twenty-two respondeo.ta represcnti.ng 26.2 0. ... howcverindic:atcd that KNUSUT nlitiwv.e'yr sUIiCtSy iontfe rGlibrharayn loaa nh IttSt pa :/s/uuppglesmpeantc teo .tuhogr. ecoldleu':.tg1UJhl~ Willi.:": the ranairung 6 (7.1%) were unsure. Due to the f8et thllt no single library can provide all the information need5 of it! users, the use of interlibrary loan as a supplement to collection deYclopment tw become reliable and inevitable. 4.2.9 Bow helpflll Interlibrary Loan has bHn in Information DeUvery Tbe study found out the extent to which Interlibrary loan f.eility has helped the library in the delivery ofinfonnation to the user community. Forty.one (48.8%) of the respondents gave a positive response:. Just two (2.40/.) responded negative whilst as many as Forty-onc (48.8%) Many libraries have resorted to interlibrary loan and sharing of resources as a way of providing infonnation to users upon demand. Table 4. 8: EdeD' of Interlibrary LoaD in loformation DeUvcry 'lntt~Ubrary LoaD Number (N-84) Perccntage (e.t.) Extmncly helpful 2.4 Veryhclpful 19 22.6 Helpful 20 23.8 Notbclpful 2.4 48.8 Toto! 84 100.0 - 4.2.10 Access and Provision or Materials RCIpOOdents were asked about what they would choose when given the chance to choose between accea to infonnatioc. and provision of information materials. In response 61(72.6".) of the respondc::ats iadicated that they would choose access to information whilst 23 (21.4%) of the respondc::ats .., indicated that they would choose provi$ion of materials. It is. healthy dcvdopment tba the TDIjority of the re$pODdeoLa lIy anpbasis on accc.ss to information upoD demand instUeand iovfe crosliiotcyti Dos f mGalheraialns aID hatnttpic:ip//lutiogos opfa ucseer .pueged..e LdIDun.lgIlhQ "" ..... now become a gateway to information and not repositories ofmateria1s. Most libraries are moving away from the old practice of collecting materia1J in anticipation of user need. to providing access to information upon demand. Table 4. 9: Access to iDformatioD and provisioa of information materials 4.2.11 Library Automation and Searell OnliDe Since the new phenomenon of access to information is enhanced with computerization or au1omation. the respondents were asked if their respective libraries are automated. In response,onJy 5 (6.0010) of the respondenls indicated that the libraries have been automatcd. On the other hand, 79 (94.0'10) of the remaining respondents indicted that their libraries have not been automated. In reccDt years the advent of technology has led to a situation whereby Jibnries arc changing from the manual system of operating to digitization or library automation s~em. This is as a result of the numerous benefits, including easy access 10 information, tha.1 go wiih automation. Table 4. 10: Rt'tpGDH"S to library automation at th~ KNUST Library lJ.en abiUlityn iversity of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh4.2.12 to Access lnrormadOD lndependeody It was essential to find out if users of Ihe library are able to sean:b for relevant informltion iodependently without recourse to the Ubnry assistant or the librarian. In such • situation it am be concluded that the users arc well.oquipped with search techniques to be able to exploit the Ubrary infonnation resources. It was very encouraging to learn that 80 (95.2%) of the respondents answered thai users are able to search for information on their own. Just 4 (4.8%) staled that some users coukl not search for information independently in the library. --57-- Sometimes 67.8 Never 4.8 Total --~'-I00.0 4.2.13 OaliGe Full-Text Document Delivery Another area of interest as far as access to information is concerned is the availability of online full-text docwnentary delivery in the library. Thi! is necessary because an insufficient library fund has led to cuts in subscription of jouma1s and other academic materials. When asked Irthe reapective libraries have onliDe full-text facility, 48 (57.1%) answered in the affirmative. but 32 (38.1%) answered in the negative, whilst 4 (4.8~) were unsure. Table 4. 11: Access to ruD-text online documents I Acceutor. ..... tel.t NlUIlber(N-84) Perceutage(e/o) LYes 48 57.1 I!N O 38.1 Don\know 4.8 TOIai 84 100.0 4.2.14 rm.Uacni.i1v ersity ofResources te SGuhppaonrta C OhUtetcptiO:/D/ ugspace.ug.edu.ghDevelopment Central to the achievement of 8 succ:essfuJ implementation of a laid down access to information policy is the availability of adequate funding or financial reIOurce5· nus becomes more compelling when you take cognizance of the increases in the prices of academic information materials like jownals and books. Respondents were asked if in their estimation the library was well resourcod financially to be able to meet the information needs oflhe user community. In response 52 (61.9%) indicated that funding was inadequate. Twenty-eight (33.3%) of the respondents however indicated that fwKIing for the library' , operation was adequate, but the remaining 4 (4.8%) were unsure if tbelibrarywasweIlresourced. Tlble4.13: Responses OD Adequate Funding Adequatefuoding Number(N 84} Perc~ Yes 28 33.3 No S2 Don't know 4.8 Total 84 4.2.15 Cut i. Ubrary Subscriptions The study found out if as a result of the insufficient budgetary allocation to the library, it lw led 10 the cancellation of journals and book subscriptions. The data for the study revealed 35 (41.7'10) of the respondents affinned the library has had to cut down on its subscription due 10 budgetary constraints, but 41 (48.8%) disagreed with this assertion, whilst the remaining 8 (9.50/.) were unsure. Since the library cannot own every pUblication due to several facton, it is: noccssary to lay emphasis on easy access to information upon request. Libraries arc cutting down their subx:riptioQUl naiovde rinssitteyad ofh aGveh aconpae hd ttipn :/c/uoUglbsopralicve .Oufg .ceoodpuen.mg VhI;; o.u ... :ction development and iDIcrIibr.'y lou as a way of meeting the iDfonnatioo needs of their users Response,;: to e:ut in subse:riptioos Cut ill 5ubKriptious Numbcr(N=-84) Percentage (';') Veo 35 41 .7 48.8 Don't know ------g - 9.5 Toto! 100.0 4.2.16 Awareness ofCoUedion Development Objectives Collection development iJ a core function of every academic IibriT)'. TIlis principal function is undertaken with the view 10 Khieve _ Jet objective. Rcs(XlndcnlS were asked if the library has ay collection development objectiVes to achieve. This question was very necessary since oollcction development facilitates access to infonnation. In response, 71 (84.5%) of the rmpondenu answered in the affinnative, whilst 5 (6.0~1I) answered in the negative. The n:mainio& 8 (9.5%) were unsure. Sioce collection is a core function of every Kademic library, the need therefore (or the staff' 10 be knowlcdgc.ble and committed to the ldUevcment of the objective: cannot be over emphasized. Collection Devtlopmtnt Objf'Ctivts CoUeclioD development Number (N=84) PerccDtalfl ('JI,) V .. 84.5 No 6.0 Oon'tknow 9.5 100.0 4.2.17 lmpUronvilvDecArsceiteyil loolfD G(orhmaatnioaD http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh The questionnaire sou~ the views of rc:spondents regarding bow to improve access to relevant infunnallon as and when infollMuon is needed. 'The respondents among other tbiniS suggested the ac:qulsilJon of relevant materials in all the subject areas. the establishment of electronic libraries and an mcrease in electronic resource subscriptioo. Other sugaestions werethattbeltaffsbouJdbeencourascd to updatctbcmsclves in the necd for collaboration bc:tween recognized acadanicinstitulions in Ghana and abroad. and also the need for both students and lecturers to be eqUIpped with infonnatioa literacy slciUs. In addition to these the rapondcnts suggcated that the library should engage in interlibrary loan in order to improve access to relevant infonn.tion, and incrcue Ihe bandwidth to enhance Internet speed. T.ble 4U. 1n6:i versSi.tgyg notfi oGnsh toa Ennah .hncttcp A:c/c/eusgs tso pIDafcorem.autigoD.e du.gh IlDprovtn~Acc:essto ~m-bir~ Percentqe(%) ..r ornudon Aoquisitionsofrelevanl 8.1 materialsmaUiUb"ect.-eu StaffbeencouragedID 7.1 ~_v. . "ICf Collaborate with rocopized 3.6 .... il>G ..... IlldAbrood Facilities be increesedto 3.6 lICCmrnendcd that concerted efforts should be made to ensure the successful completion of this project. KNUST Library system being automated is of paramount importance because firstly. it will enable the library to be better placed to fulfill its mission of making relevant infonnation ICCeSSible to the university community. Secondly. universities are unable to purcbue vital journal subscriptions that help boost the quality and success of academic raarch. However, many hitherto printed matenals now appear in the form of CD·ROM, web pages and full - text databases. Moreover the average cost of accessing electronic publishing bas bCCD found to be much cheaper than owning the entire issue of. journal. Otber advantages are ease of acceuibility and currency or regular update of infonnation. KNUST LibUranryi vs)e'SrlasDit. yli koe fa UG ahcaadenmaic hlibttrpar:ie/s/.u hgasl bpeaenc see.t uupg .toe dpruon.gueh ,oaterials to support teaching. learrungand raearcbby the parent ICIdemicinslitution. To be able IDplay its role expeditiously IDd meet the cballeqes of prolifentioP of infonnation. coonomic reccssand advance iD tcchnology, it isprude:nt for the library to be automated. 5.4.3 AlterDate Source or Libruy FlDuee It is also recommended that the KNUST Library, be allocated sufficient funds 10 maintain an optimwn stock that will be able to meet the information needs or its USCfS. The research revealed that the KNUST Libruy System does not have enough funds to be able to meet .11 the information needs of the academic community. Consequently, some journal JUbscriptions have been canceUed. It is WOftb.y of note that univcrsity budgets are decreasing while the cost ofacademicjoumals is skyrocketing. Having a clear - cut budget in place will help the librarian in consuJtation with aU stakeholders to judiciously collect materials that can satisfy the infonnation needs of theuserc:ommunity. It il further recommended that the KNUST Library System should find • way of generati.o& funds aod otbc:r fonns of external support to supplement its fundamental role of providina IDIIerWs lo meet the information needs of the university community. The library .houJd allO CIlpCC in serious collaborative and cooperative collection building with external and internal information oriented centres as a way of complementing their collection developmeaL University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh S.4.4 L..IbnryCoopentioa Further recommendation is made to the effect that resource sharing and inlcrlibrary loan have over tbe years proved to be very useful mcans of supplementing local collcctions to meetthc information needs of users. Therefore, KNUST Libnuy should intensify and widen its library C(H)peration since the opportwtities are there. Through library co-operatioo. many journal articles and full - textofacademicmatcrialsarebeingacccssed frceonline. RelI()UR:C sharing in general provides libraries with 8 most valuable means of augmenting their resources. Inter lending and as50ciateddocument delivery in libraries is. ,pccial aspccI of resource sharing that is concerned with access to and the physical diuem.ination of documents and other infonnation products between libraries and infonnation centres aDd tbeituscrs. Finally, it is an Iclcnowledpl fact that no library achieves ~elf·!;ufficiency in coJloctioo building due to financial stringency and several Oiht."f factors. It is therefore prudent for die KNUST Library to rely on the back -up 5CfViccs of interlibrary loan network for building its collection. KNUST Library shouJd enllse in consortium to automate and expedite or facilititCacces5lOinformation. S.4.5 T ralnlDgorUbraryStaff Whilst it is commendable to lcam that KNUST Library System boasts of library penonneI with library quali6cations ranging from certificate 10 master of philosophy. 48 (57.1%) oCtile staff do not have any training or qualification in librarianship. Effective and efficient fulfillment of information delivery Ier'Vice to the university community depends largely on the calibre, cxpcrieocc and knowledge of information technologies of the staff. It i$ recommUendievde thrast itthyo soe fw hGo hdoa noat h havtet pqu:a/l/iuficgastiopnas clDe h.buragn.aensdtup. gbeh fPOnsored $0 Wldertake various CIOWSCI or trainiog in librwy atudk:a. This will not only JefVe as a motivation to the stiff, it will abo equip them with the requisite knowledac to be able &0 plly their complementary role expeditiously towards the general success of the library in terms of overall performance and infonnatioo delivery. 5.4.6 UHr Educatioo .ad Tuiniag The $rudy fwther revca1ed that it is not always or not all the users, especially students of KNUST, can search online independently. This means user education of the users is either DO( effectively wwh:rtakco or user participation is not encourag;ng. Nevertheless. the collection development of the library is supposed to be fully exploited by the students. The users should therefore be trained effectively for them to search for information as and when it isoeeded. U5a1I of the KNUST Library should be adequately trained to be able to conduct online informatioa searcb independently or with liltleassistancc. This neoessitates the need w secure computers and make them accessible to the user community. In this contemporary time. digital resources play an increasingly important role in academic libraries, which must demonstrate their value to the institution and their impact on student learning outcomes in DeW and more compelling ways Tbere must be. oomprcheru:ive user education or library orientation programme aimed at tralIling the us.en oflhe library to be able to fully exploit the library feaourCCil. This isoac aspect of playing the role of information ddivery or access services to the: university community. Acconlioa 1U0 nFijvoIelbrnsoiIt y.. .os f MGolhleay n(1a9 8h4)t.t pth:e// uSOgasi.p aandc eo.buJcgd.>evd" u".,g. h• oucccssful prognnme of libnry u.sc:r cdUClltion should be hued on I synthesis of the neodI of studc:nu.. academic Ita.fI' and library gaff. Evaluation is based on attempU to measure the realization of prc--apecificd go.l. mel objectives coocemed with library UIC and information skills. attitudes 10 libraric:s,. effects of various lnstructionaJ programmes and \de of a Jivm library or informallonresources The: general observations rMdc in this study are in no way intended 10 be • critique. Rather the recommendations have been realistically and conscientiously made as a contribution towdS the search for effective, efficiently and tailor - made ddivery of information services U) the uter community. Information delivery is a principal role of tvt:ry audemic library. md this c:anDOl be compromised. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh References AINA, LO.(2004) l.ihryy and Infnmy'jon Scims;e Tnt for Afijq.- Ibldan: Third Worki lnformationSaviccsumited. BAKER, 0(1992) 1n1o!ImIinund~20(4),pp.131-137. eopp, R.E. and SMITH, L.C.(J99J) Refr:rence and Informltinn Ss;ry;cg· An Introduction· Englewood, Colorado: Libnries Unlimited lnc:. FERGUSON, A.N. and KEHOE. K. (1993) Access VI. Ownership; What is Most Cost Effective in thc Sciences. Declining AffiUj.;;j'joos ROOw pp.89 - 99. HOADLEY.I.B. and CORBIN. J. (1990). Up the B. ...' .lI" An Evolutiotwy Organizo1ional StructureforLibraries.~No.21 . July/August,p.676 . JALLBRANT. N. and MALLEY, 1. (1984) Usq Education io Idbraries 211d cd., London: Clive Bingley. KINMAN, V. (2009) E - Metrics and Library Assessment in Action. Journal of EIq1mOjc RM'MII'C.!!;I Lihnujan:tbip Vol. 21, No. I, p.15. KJSIEDU, C.O (1996) Interlibrary Lending and Document Delivery: The Ghana Experience. 10' Toward .. ' more Efficient and Effedive Inter1jhVlry LeMing and P9sllmml Peljyqy in Afru;a., Proceedings of the JFLA Seminar on Interlibrary and Document Delivery in Developing Countri.., Held in Accra 15 - 17 April. P. 42. MALLEY. I. (J984) The Basics oflnfonnatioo Ski lls Teaching. London: Clive Bingley. REITZ. 1.M. (2007)~: Libraries Unlimited Available at: http://LU.c:omfodlisl. Accessedonl~'ulY.2009 SCHAD. ':G. (1992) The FuturcofCollection Development in III Era of Fiscal StriDpcy: ASymposeum. TheJPumaI of AcadqnM; l.ihrntienshjn. VoI.IS. no.l,pp4-6 SHAlJGHEUSSnYiv. eT.rWs it(y19 o90f) GThhe aLnibaR thyt taps :I/n/ulognnsaplloanc published). BAKER, D. (1992) Access versus Holdings Policy with Special Reference to the University ofEut AngliL1nter lending and Document Supply 20(4), pp.131·137. BANNERMAN, V. (2001). The Importance of information literacy in AcademiC Libnric:s in Ghana. Ghana UhraryJoumal Vol. 13, pp. 15·20. BOPP, R.E. and SMITH. L.e. (199J) Reference and Information Services: An Iotrodudjon. En&Jewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited Inc. BURNS, R.B. (2000) In1roductjcm to Regarc;h MethodJ.l..ondon: SAGE Publications. p.145 BUSHA, C.H. and HARLER, S.P. (1980) ResearclJ Methods in Ljhrariim~~ ~.SanDiego:AcademicPreu.pp.sS·S7. CABlfTEY· ADODOAGYE, E. (1988) Collection development in developing countries: A Hypothetical Perspective. Ghana I jbrary Jouma! Vol. 6, No. I, pp.20·30. DOWNESSU. Rn. ivNe. (r1s9i9t0y) . oEfl cGcUhOnaicn Tao ch:btntoplo:g/y/ uagnds pAaccceea .tuo gIn.elordmu_U.gOBh. ~ Librvy Administration Vol. 12. No. J • P . 53. EDELMAN, H.(I979) Selection Methodology in ACldemic Ubraries, Library R• •e n. .... endTcchnica1services No.23,p.34. BYA NS, E. (1995) DevelQpjng t ibrary And In(onnation Cmtte CpllpcljoOl. 3"' ed. Englewood ,Colo: Librvies UnJimited, p. 17 FERGUSON, A. W. and KEHOE, K (J993),Access versus Ownership: what is ~ QOst effective in the Sciences. JOUIDJI of I .ihmry Administra1ion Vol. 19, No.2. pp.89-99. FJALLBRANT. N. and MALLEY. I (1984) 1J ser F4\lCition in IjbraDq. 2nd cd. - London: Clive BiDsIey. GOSSEN, E.A utd lRVlNS, S. (1994) Owneo;hjp _us Access. lJITS., Vol.l9 (I), pp.42- 51 GUIARATI. N. (2003) 6J-c;ic Econometric Analnjs. 4th ed. London: McGraw-Hili p.l002. HOADLEY. I,B. 1nd CORBIN, J. (1990) Up the Beanstalk: An Evolutionary Organizational Structureforll"nries.~No.21July/Augusl,p.676. HlITCHINGSON, S. and SAW YER,S.C. (2000) Compu1m. Cqmmunic.alion and ~: A user's introduction .7thcd., Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill. JAGANNATHAN, N. (1998) Collection Development at Andra Pradesh Open University Libraries Libraries Acqui5itions Practice and Theory Vol.12. No.1. p.286. KATZ. w. A. (1980) Collection Qeyelnnmen" 1M Selection ofM'leria]$ for 1 ibrarig. New York:HoI~RU>ebartutdWiruton. KATZ, W. A. (1997) Introduction to Reference WorJc Reference Sqyisg end ~ Vo1.2- 7theda~Boston:McGrawHil1. KISIEDU, UC.On.i v(2e0r0s9i)t yTh oe fB Galmh.a Ln>1a>r ohryt tpLa:W//>uCgh sotp. uaocec. ..u (gU.Ue duruA.gl.)h, 26"'t.wclL AVailable at: http.JIwww.ugMlIgh Aoceucd on 25th Apnl.2009 KISIEDU. C.O (1996) Interlibrary Lending and Docunent Delivery: The Gbina Ex~~. 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(1995) Spegal Ljbnyjes and Infwmatjon Cmtrc' An lotmdllstjpn lex! lrd cd., Washington: Special Libraries Association, pp. 161- 179. MUHERJEE. A. K.. (J974) Book Selection' Princinl~ Practices and Tool,. CaJcutta: World ...... Priv ... Limitod.p.IS. :::- N et aJ (1975) SPSS' SlIriSjq' 'pll!!! fQr the SociI' ScjC!QCSI, New York: McGraw· OFORI. A.G.T. (1981) Ghana lIn;yen.ity lihnry In M,M. Jac:bon (cd,) Coalemporary Developments in Librarianahip: An iDtcrnItioaal bmcIbook, Connecticut: Greenwood Prca, ?u~~~U.ni!ve2rs~it)y :of= G1h=an~a~ h~tt:p:.//u~g~sp1a~ce:.u,g:.e:dnu.=gh~~:!: on 20di April.2009 PITCHER, O. M. (1997) The knot of WiwtKD· A Q!mnjrJe qf Science and Tr4mglggy .l2ll:.l2:& Kumasi: UniVCBity Press. REITZ. J.M. (2007) Qll!JS London, Librari.. UniinUtcd. Av";loble at:http://UJ.oomlodlisiAccessed on 1~ July,2009 SCHAD, J.G. (1992) 1bt Future of Collection Development In an era of fitcal stringeocy. lbeJoumal gfAr,edqnjS; Ijhruianship. Vol. 18, No. I, pp 4-16. SEWA S. (1992) tliq F4!1C.1tioo in IJni\l!!!ii!y I ibrariq' wha' wby ,nd bgw'l In: Nair Raman(ed.) Academic Ubrary Effectiveness, New Delhi: Ess Publications. SHAUGHESSY, T.W. (1990) The Library as Information Center: Wishful Thinking or Realistic Role~ IoumaJ ofUbryv Admjnjstption Vol.12 (3),pp.3-1S. SruEART.R .0. . .00 MILLER.G.B.(1980) ColIWiM Development in I jmri", ,edited by Robert D. Snae.rt and 0.6 Millcr(fouodationJ in library and Information Science)volume 1000artA)Greenwich:ComPres.s.p.xix SUMMERS, F.W. (1989) A Vision of Librari8JUhip. Scbpgtl jhnry jouma! .No 35, pp.27- 28 TACKLE. T.N.T. (2004) An ASSQiRIlmt of Corporate Ubrarie;s in meetjng 'he infwn8'jgn Des" of staff' A Survey of limes in glq;tcd filWlciai inSiMjans. An MA Di$.SC:l1ation IUbmitted to the Department of Infonnation Studit$, University of Ghana (Unpublished). TWUMASL, P.A (1986) Social Research an Rurp' Community .Accra: University Prea. WEBSTER.., M. (1985) Webst.c:r's ninth new mllcgj"C! djsinnaO'. Meriam Webster Inc. ZACH. L (2~) "Using a ~~hiple - Case ltUdiCll dcsisn to investigate the anformation _ scekingbebav]OrofArtsadministraton"~. VoI.SS,No.l.pp.4-21. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh AJ'PEI'IDIXA lINIVERSJTV OF GHANA DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION STUDIES, LEGON QueotiODllalre for Seoiot Members. SeoiorSlBlfand Junior SlBlfoftho KNUST Libnuy DarSlrIModam, 'D&iJ questioDnairc seeks to elicil information on a new paradigm shift that has charactarizcd lbetIpOnIioaI ofaeodomicLibnries. In this phemnnoaon, the llbnuy wbicb was bithono...., ••_ IaDDW~ ... gatowaytoioformatio. . KiodIy ......o dtotbem .. your _wiDbcac:c:orded utmost ooofidcotiality. MJ- topI<;" "RoCIdaIda& Ibe eo_ DeveIopmool 1'hooomeaoD: A .... study of XNUSTLibary. llovIitV.L_ University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh SECTION A: PERSONAL DATA Ple;ue bdr. or provide Ihe answer as IDlY be appropriate. 1. Geoder. Mol. 0 Femal. 0 2. Age ____ 3. Where an the library systclll do you work? Ma;nl;bnry 0 FacultyHbrary 0 College lilitary 0 Departmental ~bnty 0 " What is your job designation? U ..v emtyUb...nan 0 ChiefLibnryAs~"'" 0 Deputy Librarian 0 Princ;pa! Ubrary Am..... 0 Senior Assistant Librari&n 0 SeruorLibrary AsristEt 0 Assistant librarilll 0 ~Li~~:Sistant E3 s. How long have you workcd with the KNUST Library? ____ 6. WMtqualification(.)doyouboldinlibrarianship? Ph D 0 Postp"". [);pIoma 0 M.Ph;1 0 Bach.lorof Arts 0 MUler of Arts 0 Diploma 0 Cerlifica.e 0 SECTION B, CONCEPT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION 7. ls the library aware of the access to infonnation concept? V.. 0 No 0 Don'.know 0 9. Docs your library have a laid dOWD acceu policy that stresses on access to infonnation? Veo 0 No 0 Don'lImow 0 10. If yes. what mCllSUf'el have been taken to implement this policy? University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 12. If)'C:I, Pkue JI,IIDC the libraries you have interlibrary oooperatioo with? 13. To what extenl has inlerJibnlry loan or h"brary cooperation helped to the delivery of savicetoyo..-\JIia1? Extremdy bclpful D Very helpful D Helpful 0 Not belpful D 14. Given the choice between access (0 infonnation and provision ofinfonnation maleriaJs. ~~I:~~e~ua::s 0 IS. Is your lihruy automated 10 be able to eonduct onJine dallibase searches on the spot for usen? Yeo D NoD 16. Does the libory have the f8cllitieslo order docwnents from commercial suppliers (ea. BritiJlt u»o-ary U:nding Division "BLW")? Yes D NoD Don'tknowD 17. Are your users taUghl the use of the following printed information retrievallools? The librarycataloJ!'JO D Theindcl<,. ofboob 0 Hondbooks 0 Periodicolindex. . 0 Abstracts D Encyclopedia D Bibliognphics 0 II. Do the users find their way about in the library without any assistance? Always 0 UlUallrQ Sometimes 0 Never 0 19. Arethc.UICTS able to aocess any library material indcpendentlyrcgardingrelevMCeloa subjed? AlwaY' 0 Usually 0 Sometimes 0 Nev"," D 20. Are the uscn adequately equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills 10 exploit all ~~DOftbe~:1S 21 . ~~"::c~gclicn1de tlught the ~the computer for any of the following? Boob and Journals f", """"'. wod< 0 CllrrauaITain c:::::J Chatting c:::::J 22. Does the b~have online full-text document deliver{! Yes D NoD 23. ~:~theopportuQitytodociectroaH:.scarehin&forinrormationonlheir Yeo D NoD University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 24. If No,Plclaeexplain 25. Does the library believe in engagin& in lCI'ious dilCUSSions aad coliaborBtive veotures • allernativemethodsofpf2vidinginformation? Yes 0 No 0 26. If yes, why do you think it is necessary now? 28. If yes, how has the Iibnry responded to Ibis new deve)opmcnt? SECTION C, COLl.E<.TION DEVEI.OI·ME!'IT 29. Does the library have collection development objectives to adueve? Yeo c:J No c:::J 30. In your estimation is the library well rcsourccd financially to meet the information neoda oftbeunivcnityoommunity? Y. . 0 NoD 31. H_1be library cur. down subscription as a rC$Ul1 of insufficient budget.)' allocation? Yes 0 No 0 32. If yes. what alternative meuun::s bas the librwy taken to supplement its subscriptionJ1 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh