Assessment of university libraries in Southeast Nigeria based on Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria Standards

Pivot on library personnel and library services

Abstract

This study assessed university libraries in Southeast Nigeria based on Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria Standards. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was 10 university libraries in Southeast Nigeria. The total population was used because the sample size was small and manageable for the study. The sample size for the study consists of 10 university libraries which comprises of five federal and five state university libraries. The instrument for data collection was structured interview adopted from LRCN standards. The instrument for data collection was validated by three experts. The data collected was analysed with percentage. The finding of the study revealed that the composition of the university library staff in Southeast Nigeria is not in line with LRCN standards and guidelines. The library services provided for university library patrons are not up to the standards recommended by the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN).  Part of the recommendations of this study is that in order to conform to LRCN standards, university managements should consult university librarians before recruiting library personnel. The services that are recommended by LRCN should be provided in full by the university libraries.  The LRCN personnel should embark on annual assessment of university libraries, to ensure that the right categories of library personnel and library services are provided in the library.