ABSTRACT

This study investigated on accreditation of academic programmes in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Library, Umudike. It examined the roles ofthe library in accreditation in Nigerian universities with particular focus on Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Library, Umudike; strategies adopted during academic programme accreditation, challenges encountered by the library during academic programme accreditation and solutions to the challenges. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A population of 31 respondents comprising of professional and paraprofessional staff of the library were studied in the research. Complete census sampling technique was adopted for the study. A Questionnaire titled Accreditation of Academic programmes in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Library (AAPQ) Umudike was used as the instrument for data collection. Four research questions that guided the study were analyzed with descriptive statistics of frequency counts, mean and grand mean using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study found that the university library played vital roles of proper organization ofresources according to subjects for easy access and retrieval and the provision of resources pertaining to programmes to be accredited. The library acquired more resources in discipline(s) facing accreditation as a major strategy. Major challenges were lateness in getting information about upcoming accreditation exercises, delays in accessing approved funds and inadequacy of funds for collection development. To tackle these challenges, the research proffered the following solutions that funds meant for the university library should be released on time; adoption of a computerized system in resource organization; early preparation for accreditation. The study recommended that NUC should monitor compliance with the policy which stipulates that universities in Nigeria should set aside 10% oftheir budget for library development; sanctions should be imposed on universities that divert library allocation and finally accreditation of academic programmes should go beyond simply assessing the quantity and quality of collections. In addition, the NUC should also assess the adequacy and competence of librarians, professional services rendered the Sitting capacity of libraries in relation to the user population and the extent to which libraries collaborate with faculties in the general university education.