Challenges of Acquisition of Library Materials in Academic Library in Nnamdi Azikiwe library, University of Nigeria Nsukka:- kechukwu Sophia O

ABSTRACT

The study titled Challenges ofAcquisition oflibrary materials in Academic Library: A case study ofNnamdi Azikiwe Library, University ofNigeria Nsukka. The purpose of the study ■were to examine these challengesfacing acquisition oflibrary materials using some research questions ■which were; to find out the library materials acquired in NAL, UNN, to determine the methods adopted in acquiring library materials, to ascertain the extent to which the methods ofacquisition is used, to examine the challenges and to suggestpossible solutions to the challenges. The study population consisted of 140 staff comprising of 62 Professionals, 28 Para-professionals, 50 Support Staffin NAL, UNN. The Research design used was survey method. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. A total of 140 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the staff, 119 copies were returned and usedfor analysis. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistic offrequency, mean(x) and standard deviation via the use ofStatistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study found that materials are acquired mainly by gift and donations, purchase, exchange. Furthermore, the study reveals that the challenges ofAcquisition oflibrary materials in NAL, UNN includes inadequate funding, high cost offoreign materials, lack ofwritten acquisition policy, poor communication and transportation services, poor quality of locally published materials, poor bibliographic control, inefficiency ofselection and acquisition staff.Increase in funding by government, funds release to the library should be monitored by management, stafftraining and orientation, written acquisition policy, recruitment ofqualifiedpersonnel, Adequate bibliographic control mechanism andadoption of online acquisition systems were suggestedfor actions.Recommendations were made to reduce the problems ofacquisition of library materials in the library which includes enforcement of library acquisitions policy, consideration oflibrary budget and staffspecialization and recruitment ofqualified staff. The study concluded that adequate Acquisition of library materials in academic library (NAL, UNN) at large would effectively support librarians, lecturers and student research output.