University lecturers' preferences for the library liaison activities: The case of the Physical Science faculty of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine physical science lecturers’ preferences of library liaison activities in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This study will help the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Library system to effectively and efficiently serve the lecturers in the Physical Science Faculty by focusing attention on their preferences. The study was based on survey design. Questionnaire was employed to elicit responses from selected 65 lecturers in the Physical Science Faculty of the University. The questionnaire was used to gather data on five major areas of library liaison activities: communication, information gathering, collection development, user services, and programme development. The findings reveal that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka library system currently engages in a dynamic library liaison programme. The findings also reveal that in communication activities these lecturers prefer updating the appropriate subject guides on library resources, and producing information guides on new services. In collection development activities, the lecturers prefer identifying additional materials relevant to faculty research interests for acquisition and for developing awareness of current and retrospective literature and publishing trends in all subject fields in the faculty. However in user-centred activities they preferred introducing lecturers, students and researchers to the use of information resources in both traditional and electronic format. Finally, the programme development activity which the lecturers prefer involves introducing faculty, staff and students to current awareness and document delivery services.