Relationship Between Staffing and Utilization of Special Collections in Federal University Libraries in North – Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between staffing and utilization of special collections in federal university libraries in North-Eastern Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives which determined the extent of special collections utilization; and the relationship between the staffing with utilization of the special collections. To achieve these objectives, one research question andone null hypothesis guided this study. It was hypothesized that, there was no significant relationship between staffing with users utilization of special collections. The study was a correlation study and utilized correlation research design and survey research method. Questionnaire was the research instrument used to gather data. The population used was 7860 with a sample of 760. The response rate recorded was 728(93%) which was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages were used to analyze the research question, while hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). Findings showed that, there was a gross under-utilization of special collections by users in the libraries studied. A further analysis revealed that significant relationships between staffing with utilization of special collections information resources existed. Based on the findings, the study concluded that, there was gross underutilization of special collections; and that special collection staff are inadequate and untrained in the management of special collections. On the bases of the findings and conclusion drawn, the study recommended