ABSTRACT
The University of Ghana, like any other public university in Ghana, is prone to financial challenges. These have therefore affected the provision of infrastructure, resources and services to its libraries. The financial constraints of the university have influenced a shift in library service activities, making it difficult for some of the libraries in the University of Ghana Library system (UGLS), to provide some of the services that faculty members need for their teaching, research and publishing activities. This situation has however created a negative perception of the libraries for some faculty members. There are few or no scientific study to determine the level of use of library resources and services, and their impact on teaching, research, and productivity. The study therefore investigates the usage of library resources and services and, the impact such usage have on teaching, research and productivity of faculty members. The study will fill a gap in knowledge, and provide the basis for future investigations into service provision and quality issues in the University of Ghana Library System. A multistage sampling approach was used which involved the selection of 189 faculty members who represent respondents in the survey. They were administered with questionnaires, which were later on collected and analysed using the SPSS software. Results indicate that majority of lecturers were more aware of the university library journal collection, and the electronic databases (e- resources), than the other information sources in the UGLS. This result is buttressed by the fact that one does not need to enter the library to see these resources. This could mean that faculty members hardly visit the university‟s libraries. Some lecturers also do not use the library because materials available are not relevant to their work. However, they are satisfied with the standard of academic facilities that have been provided, and are of the view that materials and referrals were helpful to their courses and research work. University library facilities have been productive to lecturers when using the services for their research, public lectures and thesis works. It is therefore, recommended that the UGLS be supported to upgrade facilities in the departmental libraries, as these are closer to faculty members, and therefore easily accessible. The libraries should also organize periodic review of the relevance of their stock, and also solicit suggestions, from readers and faculty on the type of literature, resources or facilities needed to improve academic work.
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The University of Ghana, Legon, is the premier University of Ghana. It was founded by Ordinance on August 11, 1948. It is situated about thirteen kilometers north-east of Accra, the capital city. There is a student population of 41,964, and senior members group that engage in research and teaching, numbering 1,095 (University of Ghana, 2010). Being a public university, the university receives a major portion of its financial support from the government, and therefore prone to the financial challenges that confront most public universities in Ghana, and so this has affected the provision of infrastructure and other resources needed for teaching and research. As a result of this, Academic Facility User Fees (AFUF) and Residential Facility User Fees have been instituted to supplement the running cost of the University (Kpodoe, 2008). Other sources of support also come from the Ghana Educational Trust Fund (GETFUND), alumni, as well as local and foreign institutions (University of Ghana Special Reporter, 2004).
In spite of these financial challenges facing the University of Ghana, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor C.N.B. Tagoe, in his 2005 annual Report indicated that the University continues to encourage and promote research efforts and advocacy for the development of the country. He also noted the various activities that faculty members engage themselves in, some of which include research activities, from which they produce scholarly and extension publications which are presented for publications and promotion. Many Senior Members of the University also serve on Boards and
1
Committees of public and private organisations, which benefit from their experiences, (University of Ghana, 2005).
