The Importance of the Use of Libraries and the Need for a Reading Culture

Libraries are very important for information, communication and transformation. They help to inculcate a reading culture for an upward progression of people’s life. They reduce ignorance, thus they are empowering literacy, knowledge and skill acquisition. This paper is an opinion paper. The authors employed literature research methodology to carry out the analysis. It gives an insight into the reading culture of different nations and further portrays the role of libraries in promoting reading and an effective reading environment in the society. The authors also aim at improving the reading culture of different nations by using their own nation as a case study. The paper demonstrates that establishing of reading clubs, reviving of education in the schools through electronic libraries, promotion of books and reading in the media are those factors that could improve the situation of reading

Influence of Organisational Culture on Turnover Intention of Library Staff in Private University Libraries, South-West Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of organizational culture on library staff turnover intention of library staff in private university libraries in South-West, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study, the population consisted of all the 361 library staff in the private university in South-West, Nigeria and total enumeration was used. The research instrument used was a validated questionnaire. The findings revealed that there is a strong organizational culture in the libraries investigated, similarly, it was discovered that the level of turnover intention of library staff in the libraries studied was also high. The finding also revealed that there was a significant relationship between organizational culture and turnover intention of library staff in private University Libraries South-West, Nigeria, (r=0.018, P<0.05). hence, the study concluded and recommended that organizational culture of involvement should be more practiced, also the factors that contributed to the rate of turnover intention by library staff should be addressed by the university management so as to avoid the ugly trend of staff intentional turnover and Job insecurity in private university libraries should be addressed to reduce the level of turnover intention of library staff among others

The importance of the use of libraries and the need for a reading culture

Libraries are very important for information, communication and tran sformation. It helps to inculcate a reading culture for upward progression of people's life. It reduces ignorance, thus empowers literacy, knowledge and skill acquisition. Reading is the foundation of much enjoyment the individual gets out of life and it is closely related to vocational efficiency. This paper intends to portray the role of libraries in promoting reading and effective reading environment in the society. It looks at improving the reading culture of different nations using the authors' nation as a case study

Influence Of Automated Cataloguing System On Manual Cataloguing System In The Library: A Case Study Of Selected Academic Libraries In South-West, Nigeria

This study examied the automation of cataloguing and classification practices in academic libraries in South-West Nigerian and what effect the automated cata/o~uin~ systme has on manual catalo~uin~ in the the libraries. The stifdv population 1 comprised II 0 library professional and paraprofessional personnel working in the cataloguing section oft he {en jetJeral and state university libraries in South-West Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used to randomly se,fect the study population for this study. Data for this study was collected using questionnaire. A 5-point Likert scale were' used with 1-5 representing 'strongly agree', 'agree', 'undecided', . 'disagree' and 'strongly disagree ' respectively, ·to e/idit information .from the respondents. A total of II 0 copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. 85 copies of the questionnaires were retrieved and valid for analysis. Data were analysed using charts, table, frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The result of the study find out that automation is. changing positively the way bibliographic details are being created and displayed. Cataloguing is now quicker with the automated system and that automated system is preferred to the manoa/ system. The study highlighted various benefits of cataloguing automation such as automation · improve inter-personal relationship, saves time, easy feedback/rom library user, etc.The study recommends that libraries should not be satisfied with the little benefits derived from the partial automation of the cataloguing and other sections of the libraries but should fully automate the systems and continuously upgrade the automated systems especially as technology unfol

Responsive Library Website Design and Adoption of Federated Search Tools for Library Services in Developing Countries

Library attention has been shifted away from only physical services, since much of its operations are now going virtual, and almost everything about library activities now compete for online attention. Librarians have no choice than to conform to the trend since the major concern of library is to meet the need of its clienteles at all cost. Moreover, the paradigm shift in information ecosystem is now ediscovery tools. Responsive website design and federated search tools are part of the tools adopted to meet and satisfy information needs of library users in this era of information exploration. This chapter looks at the concept of responsive website design and federated search, components of responsive websites design, need for adoption of responsive website design for libraries in developing countries, federated search products and vendors, benefits of federated search technology, dichotomy between open search and federated search, adoption of federated search tools in developing countries, issues to consider with the federated search too

Ethical and Spiritual Values of the Church Library in Nigeria: A Study of Three Selected Church Libraries

This study was aimed at investigating the current state of church libraries in Nigeria considering the fact that not much attention has been given to the place and relevance of the church Library in promoting ethical values and spiritual growth among Christians in Nigeria. A survey was undertaken in three selected church libraries within Nigeria. Findings from the study showed that the teenage category of the library users was the largest and that there were a sizeable number of people who are not members of the churches that uses the library. The major problems identified included inadequacies in the availability of computers, internet connection and furniture and poor awareness of the church library. It is hoped that Church Administrators and Leaders will find this report useful and inspiring in considering the establishment of libraries within their churches. Keywords: church libraries, ethical and spiritual values, library resource

Value Assessment Strategies and Return On Investment of the Twenty First Century Libraries Covenant University in View

Academics expect the libraries to support and promote leading-edge learning, teaching, and research, just as parents and students expect enhancement of students’ collegiate experience among others while stakeholders count on academic libraries to achieve goals of the institution. As a result of the cost of running and sustaining an academic library, there is need for justification of return on investment, which can be determined only by its relevance and value. Thus, libraries are required to demonstrate evidence that they can and are achieving set goals. This chapter presents how Centre for Learning Resources (academic library) Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, has successfully demonstrated its return on investment, worth, and value to its host community, users and stakeholder

Effect of Information Utilization on Decision-Making by Senior Managers : A Case Study

organisations for competitive edge. While many Nigerian government establishments have continued to invest on information systems and technologies little is known on the effect of such systems on the organisation. The study therefore, investigated the effects of information utilisation on decision-making of senior managers in two federal government establishments in Abuja, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study; the questionnaire was the instrument used while the managers in two selected federal government establishments in Abuja constituted the population for the study and the simple random sampling technique was made use of. Out of the two hundred (200) copies of questionnaire distributed in the two federal government establishments, one hundred and fifty-seven (78.5%) were returned with valid responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic, specifically frequencies, mean, cross tabulation as well as percentages and standard deviation. The findings revealed that 115 (73.2%) use information at least weekly, administrative information and planning, monitoring and evaluation information were the most frequently information utilized by managers for decision making. 148(94.3%) agreed that information enhances effective decision-making, 118(75.1%) managers agreed that the major challenge was the scarcity of factual information The on-site assessment revealed that a very high number of senior managers do not visit the library, one of the establishments did not have a library as at when this study was carried out. On the overall, it was revealed that the managers faced challenges in the use of information to support decision making. The study recommends that government/organization should establish an information center and stock it with relevant resources in all Federal Government Establishments to equip the senior managers and all staff with quality information to enhance their decision making effectivenes

Ethical and Spiritual Values of the Church Library in Nigeria: A Study of Three Selected Church Libraries

This study was aimed at investigating the current state of church libraries in Nigeria considering the fact that not much attention has been given to the place and relevance of the church Library in promoting ethical values and spiritual growth among Christians in Nigeria. A survey was undertaken in three selected church libraries within Nigeria. Findings from the study showed that the teenage category of the library users was the largest and that there were a sizeable number of people who are not members of the churches that uses the library. The major problems identified included inadequacies in the availability of computers, internet connection and furniture and poor awareness of the church library. It is hoped that Church Administrators and Leaders will find this report useful and inspiring in considering the establishment of libraries within their churches

Information sources for decision making by senior managers in two Federal Government parastatals in Nigeria

This paper focused on information sources used for decision making by managers in the National Sport Commission (NSC) and Corporate Affair Commission (CAC) Abuja, Nigeria. Information is widely believed as the raw materials upon which decisions are made. It is also a critical resource that affects individual as well as organization. Senior managers shoulder the responsibility of formulating policies that organization needs for the smooth running of their individuals establishments. The quality of decision made is also dependent on how current the sources of information utilized to make it. Much of policies formulated for national development have little or no positive impact today, as a result of sources of information consulted to make such a decision. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the population for the study. The study found that 53.5% of the sampled population falls between the ages of 41-50. Male respondents were more than their female counterpart. The larger percentages of the respondents are degree holder. The sources of information mostly used for decision making by the senior managers includes reports, minutes of meetings, internal memoranda, policies files among many others, while newsletters, library and information centers, textbooks, official bulletins and journals are sparingly consulted. Senior manger also uses information to carry out day-to-day routines, for decision making effectiveness, appointments and promotion issues and to stay up-to-date with current affair issues. It was also noted that senior manager are not enjoying library services in their various establishments. The study recommends that library services be improved upon in Federal parastatal