Challenges and Strategies for Improving Provision of Information Resources and Services in Federal Ministry Libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the challenges and strategies for improving the provision of Information resources and services at federal ministry libraries in Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. Six (6) first generation federal ministries were selected using stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency and mean. The study revealed that a lot of challenges are facing effective provision of information resources and services in federal ministry libraries in Nigeria. These challenges range from inadequate funding to irregular supply of electricity, among others. Also revealed are enhancing strategies for addressing the challenges identified in the study such as strategies which include adequate funding, regular acquisition of relevant information resources, training of librarians on ICT skills, effective management skills, provision of standby generator as alternative power supply, creation of user's awareness services etc were found appropriate for improving the libraries. The study recommended that the federal government should adequately fund the ministry libraries and provide all the necessary ICT facilities/skills that would enhance librarians' and users' competencies required for efficient provision and utilization of information resources and services in federal ministry libraries in Nigeria. Also the recommendations made include that the federal government through the management of the federal ministry libraries should ensure that the identified challenges are adequately addressed using the enhancement strategies also identified.