National Capacity Building Strategy in Learning: An Assessment of Arrearage in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The primary role of a library all over the world is to meet the information needs of its service population in a timely and economic manner by acquiring processing and dissemination both print and non print information resources produced both inside and outside the organization. This objective may be farfetched if resources are acquired but remained in the processing division of libraries for quite a reasonable length of time before processing is initiated. Two academic libraries in Nigeria; the University of Uyo and University of Calabar libraries were accessed on how promptly their resources are acquired and processed, so as to distribute them to users for capacity building and sustainable development. Result of this research clearly shows that though these two libraries regularly acquired rich information resources, but remained in the processing division for more than 10 months before processing starts. It is an indication that, they are into arrearage and cannot contribute to sustainable development and poverty alleviation of the users. Questionnaire and visit to the libraries were the instrument used by the researcher, causes of arrearage were identified as inadequate professional staff in the cataloguing and classification division and low working experience of staff in this division among others. It is recommended that the backlog i.e. books yet to be catalogued should be made accessible to user by filing their slip at the catalogue.

Keywords: Learning, Capacity building, Assessment, Arrearage, University, Nigeria