CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The establishment and development of academic libraries in all parts of the world is very necessary for the development of their parent institutions – the Universities. According to
Olanlokun and Salisu (1993), this type of library started in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and America with the founding of universities in those continents. The far Eastern University Libraries followed much later. According to Salisu (2002), academic libraries are recent phenomena in the developing countries of Africa. For instance, Aguolu (1989) stated that Nigeria had the first academic library with the founding of the University of Ibadan in 1948. No other university came into existence until the independence year when the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was established in 1960.This was followed by University of Ife in 1961 and both Ahmadu Bello and Lagos Universities in 1962. New Universities sprang up in the seventies in response to the yearning of the people for higher education. This trend has continued up till today.
The National Universities Commission (2010) indicated that there are 113 approved universities in the country by this; it means that there are no less than 112 university libraries. It must be realized that University Libraries being an integral academic parts of the University generally emerged simultaneously with their parent institutions. Hence, there are as many university libraries as there are universities in Nigeria.
Tabs (2003) define academic
library as an entity in a post secondary institution that provides all the
following:
An organized collection of printed or other materials or a combination there of. A staff trained to provide and interpret such materials is required to meet
the informational, cultural, recreational, or educational needs of clientele.
An established schedule in which services of the staff are available to clientele.
The physical facilities necessary to support such a collection, staff and students.
In order to provide users with excellent services, university libraries in Nigeria need a staff well vast in all facets of their work. This is because librarians perform unique role in the society which no one else can exactly do. This is why Kenerson (1997) stated that all categories of library personnel in all types of library have needs to learn; often for a number of reasons. The daily task and major issues that confront individuals require them to apply their knowledge and skills appropriately to each situation. He further stated that universities are experiencing profound changes as a result of automaton of their holdings as well as net-working capabilities to the world of information resources. Indeed, technology is the primary driving force behind this rapid rate of transformation. The catch phrase, according to Zhang (2004), is “do more with less” has forced University Libraries to place a high priority on the continual growth and development of their staff. Notwithstanding the importance of collections and services, the staff remains the libraries’ most important and expensive resource. In support of this, Meggison (2001) stated that the success or failure of library activities depends largely on human resources at its disposal.
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ASSESSMENT OF STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA
