Strategies of Assessing and Implementing Quality Assurance in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

University Libraries play significant role towards achieving the teaching, learning and research needs of Universities. This they can do by quality assurance of their operations and services. This study examines the
strategies of assessing and implementing quality assurance in Nigerian University Libraries. The population for the study comprised the Nigerian University Librarians. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 18 respondents from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to sample size, of the eighteen copies of the questionnaires administered only ten were duly completed and returned. Data collected were analyzed using frequency and  percentages. The findings of the study showed that methods, criteria, strategies, and mechanisms used for the assessment of the quality of the university libraries were not uniform. The main strategy used for implementation of quality assurance was integration of the library` services quality assurance agenda into the university structures and the quality assurance mechanisms available and used in Nigerian university libraries were programme accreditation and benchmarking of library systems. The paper amongst other things recommended that the criteria, method, strategies and mechanisms assessment of library information systems,
resources and services in Nigeria university libraries should be unified for easy comparability.