Examining and creating in-house IGR sources for effective management and financing in academic libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The study explored staff perception on effective funding using in-house IGR sources, finance-related challenges in the management of libraries, examined operational conventional and additional sources of IGR, derived opinions on the benefits of an independent academic library financial management system and the strategies to improve on its funding in selected academic libraries in Nigeria. Method: The descriptive survey design was adopted using a population of 487 librarians from which 161 (33%) was randomly drawn from ten academic libraries (polytechnic, college and university). The instrument for data collection - questionnaire was developed. The data collected were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS Version 20 software. Results: There was no significant difference in the perception of academic library staff on effective funding and management of libraries through in-house IGR. It was found that conventional sources of IGR in academic libraries were through provision of reprographic services, binding, laminating, indexing/abstracting and library donation while additional sources could include skill acquisition in entrepreneurial education, certificate verification, information consultancy, use of e-library for computer based tests, internet surfing, training in research and data collection and processing of online applications. However, amongst these services, only reprographic services were found to be fully functional, others are either semi functional or non-functional. Conclusion: Generating funds from these sources can assist in library e-resource subscription; improve collection development, and general service provision. IGR are potential business venture for the effective management of the library and at the long run help in the achievement of its objective of information services and product provision to its community of patrons. Recommendation: Awareness creation on the inclusion of these newly applicable and profitable elibrary services, training of staff on the use of technology-driven services and sharing information/knowledge among working personnel should be embraced by the management of academic libraries.

Headnote

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

Purpose: The study explored staff perception on effective funding using in-house IGR sources, finance-related challenges in the management of libraries, examined operational conventional and additional sources of IGR, derived opinions on the benefits of an independent academic library financial management system and the strategies to improve on its funding in selected academic libraries in Nigeria.

Method: The descriptive survey design was adopted using a population of 487 librarians from which 161 (33%) was randomly drawn from ten academic libraries (polytechnic, college and university). The instrument for data collection - questionnaire was developed. The data collected were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS Version 20 software.

Results: There was no significant difference in the perception of academic library staff on effective funding and management of libraries through in-house IGR. It was found that conventional sources of IGR in academic libraries were through provision of reprographic services, binding, laminating, indexing/abstracting and library donation while additional sources could include skill acquisition in entrepreneurial education, certificate verification, information consultancy, use of e-library for computer based tests, internet surfing, training in research and data collection and processing of online applications. However, amongst these services, only reprographic services were found to be fully functional, others are either semi functional or non-functional.

Conclusion: Generating funds from these sources can assist in library e-resource subscription; improve collection development, and general service provision. IGR are potential business venture for the effective management of the library and at the long run help in the achievement of its objective of information services and product provision to its community of patrons.

Recommendation: Awareness creation on the inclusion of these newly applicable and profitable elibrary services, training of staff on the use of technology-driven services and sharing information/knowledge among working personnel should be embraced by the management of academic libraries.

Keywords: Internally generated revenue (IGR), financing, academic libraries, effective management, Nigeria

Word count: 6,081

INTRODUCTION

The adequacy in funding in an organisation has a positive influence on the availability of goods, products and resources for client's consumption. Ahmed and Nwalo (2013), Omopupa and AbdulRaheem (2013) opined that this is so important for academic libraries. Underfunding is a major challenge in the tertiary education system in Nigeria (Erhagbe, 2014; Ofoegbu & Alonge, 2016). In Nigeria, less that 10% of the annual budget is allocated to fund education (Amoo, 2018). The dependence on a single funding source is usually non-profitable for nations and organisations. The library is one of the most important aspects of research and development and hence, its effective management is crucial to its service provision, relevance to education and existence. Funding academic libraries for routine administration cannot be fully reliant on parent institutions, donations and supports from concerned non-governmental external bodies. According to Inyang and Igwechi (2015), funding an academic library means making resources and capital in monetary terms available to provide services for human development. It helps in the renewal, and maintenance of academic libraries. Although, there is funding from government agencies like TETFUND, ETF, NCC and others, however, these funds are usually bureaucratically long-termed, and not frequent, whilst, the daily operations of the libraries are almost on a regular basis. Adu-Ssarkodee et al. (2016) reported that academic libraries in Ghana also have adopted alternative methods of raising revenue from services provided which include bindery, and reprography and they opined that a wide spread awareness campaign could be useful in the continual generation of revenue. They opined that sales of textbooks, data analysis and internet access could potential provide revenue for the library. Kwadzo and Amekuedee (2007) reported that special libraries in Ghana now raise fund by fee-based services like photocopy, bibliographic search, trainings, e-mail, and photocopying in an attempt to cover for the shortfalls from the government and parent institutions.

Ibegwan and Ogunyade (2008) said in Lagos and Ibadan, medical libraries uses reprographic services for IGR with the aim of introducing abstracting and indexing services. Afebende (2017) reported that academic libraries in Cross Rivers are funded through grants from the government, and there seems to be dissatisfaction with the level of funding with the fact that these libraries do not have lay down strategy to generate funds internally. Ogunjimi et al. (2018) found that some academic libraries in south western Nigeria have hindrances with fund allocation, hence, overdue charges, fees for book loss, reprography and binding services are used to generate funds to run the libraries. Adequate funding is necessary for the development of library services (Adu-Sarkodee et al. 2016). In the expanding information society and growing information need behaviour, the activities that demands fund has increased and academic needs an active means of generating revenue (Ogunjimi et al. 2018). When such is no longer seen as priority by parent institutions and other funding bodies, then, academic libraries must look for alternative means of funding. It has become imperative for academic libraries for find alternative means of generating revenue for its effective funding, management and optimum service provision to users. Academic libraries undoubtedly facilitate or promote social economic and national growth and development through the provision of quality information services and products to its patrons. However, in contemporary times in developing countries, academic libraries have not been receiving much attentions with regards the funding.

Low budget allocation and inadequate funding have made academic libraries to become grossly under-developed most especially in developing countries. There also seem to be erratic allocation of funds, low budgetary and budget cuts from parent institutions, and these phenomenal events has impacted negatively on the efficiency and effectiveness in service provision, management of resources and staff in academic libraries. Although, there are conventional means of generating funds which includes reprographic services, and library registrations, the management of academic libraries needs to explore other additional sources and the strategies to improve the funding also need to be examined. Till date, there is dearth of information on the various IGR sources in academic libraries in Nigeria, and most literature as reviewed below have only revealed the potential sources not the functional and operational sources. This study will provide insight on the functional sources adopted by academic libraries and tentative additional ones that could be helpful. Thus, this study attempts to give information on the functional IGR mechanisms and how important they are to managing libraries.

Aims and Objectives

The basic objective of this study is to examine the IGR sources available to academic libraries and how these sources can contribute to the effective funding and management of libraries, however, the specific objectives includes the following;

1. know the perception of library staff on library financing and effective management;

2. examine the sources of IGR (conventional and additional);

3. find out the functional ones operating in academic libraries and the schools currently involved;

4. what systems are to be put in place to encourage library productivity towards driving economic growth and

5. figure out the benefits of IGR to academic libraries.

METHODOLOGY

The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study consist of 487 library staff from ten (10) purposively selected academic libraries from five states (Ekiti, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Oyo) as presented in Table 1. The institutions comprised of both government and privately owned polytechnics, college of education and university. A total of 161 respondents were randomly drawn by virtue of availability as at the time of administration of the instrument (October - November, 2018). A self-constructed 60 items questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection (see Appendix). The questionnaire was segmented into six; introductory letter, demographics, four sections answering the questions set. The instrument was validated by experts in test and measurement in library and information science. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the IBM Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20 from Chicago Inc. analytical tool. Means, standard deviations, percentages, and frequency count were employed in interpreting the data including demographics of respondents. A 91% (N = 147) return rate was found after collection of instrument which was used to analyse the data. In the analysis of the data collected, the means were used to ascertain the level of collective agreement to an item in each section. Hence, a criterion mean of 2.50, 2.0 and 1.5 was set to weigh responses to be whether in favour or against for four, three and two points Likert scales respectively. The percentage of mean (as found in Table 4) was used to find out the overall degree of positive response to an item.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 2 showed the demographic data collected. The respondents that were males were 85 (58%) while female were 62 (42%) showing an almost equal distribution. It can be said that the study is not gender-based in the opinions of library staff on the subject matter. Similarly, the marital status of responded that, a large percentage (N = 76, 52%) were married, whilst others were single and engaged (N = 15, 10%), widowed (N = 17, 12%) and divorced (N = 24, 16%) for which all marital ranks were represented. The range for age was from 20 to above 50 years with majority within 30 - 39 years (N = 59, 40%) and the lest which were above 50 years (N = 21, 14%). It appeared that most of the respondents are first degree holders (N = 56, 38%) followed by NCE/ordinary diploma holders (N = 34, 23%) with a minute number having post graduate diplomas (N = 9, 6%). It was found that 8% (N = 12) already had doctorate degrees. The responded who had 10 - 14 years working experience were 65 (44%) with only 12 (8%) having 0 - 4 years of experience in librarianship. It could be referred that, the respondents had adequate experience to be able to respond to items on academic libraries IGR and effective funding. On the basis of religious affiliations of respondents, Christians were most dominant (N = 94, 64%) while Muslims followed (N = 53, 36%) with no one practicing ATR probably due to the high level of religious sensitisation by these two major religious groups in Nigeria.

In response to the research objectives of the study, Table 3 presents the perception of library staff on the importance of library funding and its impact on the effective management. It showed that all libraries are of same opinion as demonstrated through the t-values and p-values. Library staff agreed that it is possible for libraries to generate their own income and become independent of the government or parent institution (Item 1, 2), although, if allocations are increased, it will solve a whole lot of problems relating to funding (item 7, mean = 3.13, Stdev = 0.81). They agreed that for effective funding, marketable library products and services are needed (item 6, mean = 3.03, Stdev = 0.95) and also a skill in marketing is required by the library staff (Item 4) and this will go a long way in raising the IGR to support the library (item 5). The enterprising ability of the administrative head of academic libraries is not left out in the bid to market the library and improve the funding system (item 3, mean = 2.69, Stdev = 1.07).

Table 4 showed that there are several challenges militating against the effective funding and management of academic libraries in Nigeria. Obviously, non-conducive environment (mean = 1.38, std = 0.48), reduced book acquisition (mean = 1.23, std = 0.42), and low patronage (mean = 1.29, std = 0.46) do not pose financial challenges to the academic libraries. These events do not create avenues for the libraries to use funds however, respondents noted that the frequent low budget allocations (mean = 1.61, std = 0.49), delayed allocations (mean = 1.70, std = 0.49), insufficient power supply (mean = 1.74, std = 0.44) among other make a bulk of the fund demanding causes. The overall weighted mean of 1.53 showed that almost all items in Table 4 contribute to a large extent as a source of financial burden for the libraries. The percentage positive agreement to the items showed that lack of electricity supply (58%) and collection development/book acquisition (41%) does not cause a major challenge.

Respondents were asked the sources they know that could be a source of IGR for academic libraries in Table 5. It revealed that whilst a few services like information consultancy (mean = 2.14, stdev = 1.09), training in research and data collection (mean = 2.16, stdev = 1.15), library donations (mean = 2.14, stdev = 1.03) and scanning services (mean = 2.43, stdev = 1.09) may not be so useful, others can provide IGR. In the order of importance and contribution, they include the use of library ICT/elibrary units as CBT centre (mean = 3.35, stdev = 0.92), library registrations (mean = 3.09, stdev = 1.02), reprographic services (mean = 3.08, stdev = 0.81) and the use of e-libraries for online applications (mean = 2.98, stdev = 1.12) and certificate verification (mean = 2.90, stdev = 1.15). Others include using the library for entrepreneurial education, internet surfing and abstracting and indexing.

The very functional IGR sources were sought from respondents in Table 6 and it showed that a wide range of sources are functional and a few non-functional. It showed that only reprographic services (mean = 2.49, stdev = 0.68) are fully functional, while binding, library registrations (mean = 2.28, stdev = 0.78), e-libraries (mean = 2.21, stdev = 0.71) among others as shown in the Table 6 and Figure 1. It revealed that certificate verification is not carried out in e-libraries making it non-fully as well as information consultancy and training in research and development. In an event that academic libraries are able to generate their funds independently, several benefits were pointed out by respondents in Table 7. Some of which include, the timely delivery of services, allowing libraries to handle future fee-based activities, support independent funding of conferences and symposia and help libraries in subscription to data bases. Other benefit were also stated in Table 6 as the aggregate mean was found to be 1.60 (stdev = 0.46) to mean all items stated will be highly beneficial.

In encouraging academic libraries to be productive in IGR, certain systems need to be in place. Respondents opined in Table 8 that some of the methods include improving the way customer relations is handled (mean = 1.73, stdev = 0.44, item 8), marketing of the library services and products through media (mean = 1.69, stdev = 0.47), and mass orientation of students and staff on the available services (mean = 1.51, stdev = 0.51). Others were listed too in the Table 8.

The study has clearly shown that there are several ways academic libraries can generate revenue. IGR can be used to sponsor a range of projects pertinent to the service provision in academic libraries. For over a decade now, reports of Kwadzo and Amekuedee (2007), Ibegwan and Ogunyade (2008), Adu-Sarkodee et al. (2015), and Ogunjimi et al. (2018) have been re-validated with the present study on the sources of IGR in academic libraries. Just like Olurotimi (2015) opined that academic libraries need alternative sources of income to run their daily service provision activities, the respondent averred that IGR can be very relevant for the timely delivery of services; the additional sources can be explored for maximum benefit and effective management of academic libraries.

Summary of finding

From the study, the following findings were made;

1. Library staff perception in one accord showed that adequate funding is needed for effective management, increasing budgetary allocations for academic libraries and the development of an autonomous financial management system is vital to the functionality of the library.

2. Some of the major phenomena that could potentially raise financial concerns are inadequate power supply, delay in funding and the problem of e-resource subscription.

3. The most used conventional sources for revenue generation are reprography, library registration, indexing /abstracting and e-library internet and printing services.

4. The additional sources as suggested include the use of e-libraries for certificate verification, as CBT centre for JAMB, post -UME and other external examinations as well as for online applications.

5. The service that is fully functional is reprography; lamination, binding, indexing/abstracting, and e-library internet services, online applications, CBT based activities are semi-functional, meaning they are fairly or sometime never used. The nonfunctional ones which also have greater tendencies of raising the IGR include the use of elibrary for EED, information consultancy, training in research and development and certificate verification services.

6. Academic libraries IGR can support the timely delivery of library services, encourage patronage, build collection development and assist in funding futuristic ventures.

7. Some of the ways that will encourage academic libraries to raise the IGR include, staff orientation, ICT skill training and participation in the processes leading to fund generation, library infrastructural development and creation of a financial management team.

CONCLUSION

The study explored the various avenues for raising the internally generated revenue of the academic libraries. There are clear indications that academic libraries can generate funds through conventional and non-conventional (newly applicable) means as afore-stated, however, the utilization of these means is still minimal. Librarianship and the sustainability of effective library service provision and management can be easily driven with availability of funds, this time inhouse generated. Although, the library is a non-profit based organ of every institution, the growing rate of under-funding, budget cut and sometimes neglect of academic libraries will hamper on its functionality as an essential arm of tertiary institutions. Academic libraries support for teaching, learning and research is paramount to the growth and development of any nation, hence, available means of generating revenue can be harnessed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations have been put forwards as

1. It is thus a wake-up call for the government and parent institutions to equip the academic libraries with the needed technological infrastructure to help them grow their IGR progressively.

2. Library staff must be trained to be able to handle equipment e.g. as found in the provision of reprographic services, to effective manage and generate funds for the academic libraries.

3. Teaching library management and its staff of marketing skills need to be emphasized at this point where under-funding is received from the government.

4. Academic librarian's conferences must incorporate into its meetings various IGR strategies for proper sharing of this knowledge especially to those from libraries yet to adopt identified techniques of fund generation.

DECLARATION

The author declares no conflict of interest. There was also no funding for the study.

References

REFERENCES

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(ProQuest: Appendix omitted.)