AN ASSESSMENT OF SHELVING OF LIBRARY MATERIAL IN COLLEGE LIBRARIES

AN ASSESSMENT OF SHELVING OF LIBRARY MATERIAL IN COLLEGE LIBRARIES

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Shelving library materials is a proven method of ensuring that books and other information materials are placed on the right shelves after being processed at the Technical Services Section or after being consulted by users (Daniel, 2008).

Information items are organized on the shelves of every library according to a certain layout. Shelving is the act of returning processed or used books from the cataloguing/classification section and reading tables to the appropriate shelves, whereas shelf-reading is the act of inspecting books on the shelves to ensure that they are properly shelved and in their correct positions on the shelves (Brown, 2008).

However, while shelving library resources, attempts are made to arrange them according to categorization call-number symbols. When shelving library materials, it is necessary to determine the placement of the items. In the academic context, the college library is an essential institution. The shelving of books in an academic library is an activity aimed at facilitating the dissemination and retrieval of information. These are libraries found in institutions of higher learning that are completely devoted to academic activities that are usually in line with the parent institution's objectives.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Shelving appears to be one of the routines that make up the non-professional occupations in the library, as it is frequently done by support workers such as library assistants, library attendants, and library officers (Jude, 1999).

However, shelving should be monitored by experienced professional personnel, particularly the readers services librarian, circulation librarian, and serials/documents librarian, in order to avoid or reduce mis-shelving and other shelving problems.

1.3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF COLLEGE LIBRARIES UNDER STUDY

1.3.1. BACKGROUND OF FECOLART

The federal government of Nigeria created the Federal College of Land Resources Technology in Owerri (FECOLART) in 1981. The college was able to keep its library as a result of this. The library officer was hired in 1991, and by the time the institution began classes in the 1991/92 academic year, the library had amassed a collection of roughly 50 volumes. The library now has about 1,000 books and journals in its collection. The library's staff numbered around (6) six people. Orientation of new users, teaching on how to utilize the library's inter-library loan services, readers advisory services, bindery and reprographic service, and others are among the services and resources supplied by the college libraries under investigation.

1.3.2. BACKGROUND OF IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC UMUAGWO

The Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, as it is presently known, was never intended to be a higher education school. It was established for the purpose of teaching tractor drivers, and subsequently, the notion of transforming it into an agricultural college was proposed. In 1982, the location was transferred to a college of Agriculture, with Dr. I.N. Izugbokwe serving as the first rector. Later, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) granted the institution accreditation to teach middle-level workers such as OND and HND holders. Prof. Ohiazu, Prof. Osuji, and Mr. Amadioha, the current Rector of the Polytechnic, are only a few of the school's rectors and acting rectors. Imo State Governor Chief Ikedi Ohakim renamed the institution from Micheal Okpara College to State Polytechnic Umuagwo in 2007.

In addition, this school would not exist without a library. When Micheal Okpara College of Agriculture was transformed from a location of teaching tractor drivers to Micheal Okpara College of Agriculture in 1982, Mr. M.K. Njoku created the library on his own. The library employs a total of 16 people, including two professionals and 14 non-professionals. Mr. Mathew Nwokeke and Mr. M.K. Njoku, who has been the college librarian since 1982, are the two professionals. The library, on the other hand, obtains literature from the FOA and other international organizations. Circulation Department, Acquisition Department, Cataloguing/Classification Department, Administration Department, Serial Department, and Internet Centre are among the several sections of the library.

1.4 AIM AND PURPOSES OF THE STUDY

The study is being carried out in partial fulfillment of the requirements heading to the award of the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate.

It will also serve as a guideline for students and researchers that may wish to carryout further research in this area of study.

1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The specific objectives of this study are as follows:

i. To find out it the two college libraries do shelved their library materials.

ii. To find out how often the two college libraries shelve their library materials.

iii. To identify the methods used in shelving library materials in the two college libraries.

iv. To compare the type of materials shelved in two college libraries.

v. To assess the impacts of shelving use of library materials.

vi. To identify the problems associated with shelving of library materials.

vii. To identify the categories of staff involved in shelving library materials.

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In an effort to generate data on this study, these researches were formulated.

i. Does your library shelve their library materials?

ii. How often do you shelve your library materials?

iii. What methods do you apply when shelving library materials

iv. What type of shelf do you use in your library

v. What are the type of materials shelved in your library

vi. Does shelving of library materials have any impacts on the use of library materials which categories of library staff are involved in shelving of library materials?

1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The research centres on shelving of library materials in college libraries with particular reference to two college libraries in Imo State; Imo State Polytechnic Library Umuagwo and Federal College of land Resources Technology Owerri. Another obvious limitation is that of time constraint distance between the two schools as well as financial constraints. Generating data was a strong constraint as much literature has not emphasized so much on library shelving as a practice.

1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will help in identifying the problems associated with shelving of library materials and proper possible solution to these problems.

However, there are those who stand to benefit from study, they includes among others, staff, users etc.

1.9 METHODOLOGY

To have a reliable research the method to be used in carrying out research work ought to be stated, thus the research is the case study of FECOLART and Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo. The method to be used in collection of data for this project includes, use of the three methods of data capturing techniques there are:

a. Gathering of data through visits

b. Use of oral interview

c. Administration of questionnaire.

1.10 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

SHELVING: Library activity that involved placing books, documents and other information materials on the appropriate shelves.

SHELF-READING: The act of examining books on the shelves to see that they are in correct order on the shelves.

CIRCULATION SECTION: This section is service points designed to circulate library materials effectively.

COLLEGE LIBRARIES: Libraries attached to institution of higher learning like college of education also referred to as academic libraries.

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