Collection Management: Public Library in Perspective: A Case Study

Abstract

This research reports the results of a study of collection management procedures carried out at the Eastern Regional Library. The study seeks to find out how the library collections are managed by the staff in order to satisfy the information needs of the user community and the challenges that confront the staff in the management of the collection as well as the patrons. Using the case study approach, data was collected with the use of the questionnaire from a total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. These were made up of fifteen (15) professional staff, seventy (70) adult patrons and thirty five (35) minor patrons.

The study shows that, a greater number of the respondents were aware of the range of materials stocked in the library but majority of the clients rarely patronize them. Some of the reasons responsible for the low patronage were the archaic nature of the materials, lack of information technology facilities, unfavourable lending privileges and difficulty in accessing the library collection.
The study further revealed some of the problems that confront the library staff in the management of the collection. These were inadequate logistics, the archaic nature of the materials, inadequate professionals to man the collection, mishandling of the collection by users, financial constraint and the absence of a policy to guide their activities. Recommendations provided include financial support, provision of current materials, periodic training of staff, and provision of a policy and proper handling of the materials by user.