Acquisition and relevance of information resources for teaching and learning in government health institution libraries (GHIL) in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the acquisition and relevance of information resources for teaching and learning in Government Health Institution Libraries (GHILs) in Katsina State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study: What methods are used to acquire information resources for teaching and learning in GHILs in Katsina State? To what extent are the acquired information resources relevant to the needs of these libraries for teaching and learning? Employing a quantitative survey research design, the study targeted all 16 librarians in GHILs across Katsina State. Data were collected through questionnaires administered by the researcher and a research assistant and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation. The collected data were findings revealed that GHILs in Katsina State primarily acquire information resources through purchases, gifts, and donations, while alternative methods such as resource sharing, consortia, and database subscriptions remain underutilized, limiting the diversity and accessibility of resources. Thus, the acquired information resources often failed to meet the specific needs of library users, resulting in poor patronage and undermining the libraries’ ability to fulfill mission of supporting teaching, learning and research. To address these challenges, it is recommended that GHILs in Katsina State adopt alternative acquisition methods like resource sharing, consortia, and database subscriptions to broaden resource diversity and accessibility. Furthermore, regular needs assessments and active collaboration with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and library users, should be conducted to ensure the acquisition strategies align with users' evolving information needs.