THE IMPACT OF COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN LIBRARY COLLECTION IN AN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

1.0 Introduction

Library collection development policy is the process of meeting the information needs of the people (a service population) in a timely and economical manner using information resources locally held, as well as from other organizations.

Collections are developed by librarians and library staff by buying or otherwise acquiring materials over a period, based on assessment of the information needs of the library's users. In addition to ongoing materials acquisition, library collection development includes:

1. The creation of policies to guide material selection
2. Replacement of worn or lost materials
3. Removal (weeding) of materials no longer needed in the collection
4. Planning for new collections or collection areas
5. Cooperative decision-making with other libraries or within library consortia

1.1 Background of the Study

In the public and private sectors of the Nigerian exchange, securities are usually very helpful to the management in accomplishment of organisational goals. With the advent of technical, knowledge there has been an increase in demand in our modern establishments for sophisticated and modern technologies in Nigeria organisation.

In the light of the above situation, this research work is aimed at identifying the IMPACT of Technological Development on librarian in academic libraries. There are various categories of librarian, which includes:the executive librarian, the company librarian, confidential librarian, parliamentary librarian and others.

Each of them in charged with well-articulated and defined functions and roles, which are expatiated of them. This study concentrates on the role of the executive Collection development programe as an enhancing toold, employment by a company who is attached to an officer who is of the executive cadre.

A Collection development programe as an enhancing tool may be viewed as a person who has acquired the basic knowledge of library and Information science skill of shorthand, typewriting and sufficient knowledge and practical experience in office routine. Depending on the objectives of the organisations, a collection development programe meant all things to all people. However, there are some basis functions which librarian perform and these forms the basis of their identify in an organisation. These functions are:

1. Initiating relevant correspondent on all routine, matters and drafting letters as authorized.
2. Collecting relevant information from relevant sources for office use.
3. Dealing with visitors and telephone callers on issues which the Collection development programe as an enhancing tool is knowledgeable.
4. Follow up the diary of her boss daily.
5. Preparing the boss for meetings and other entertainment etc.

In spite of this very important functions which the library department perform, the Collection development programe as an enhancing tool still needs the modern officer technology to carry out his/duties efficiently. Prior to the technological development in offices, clerical works were done manually, the size of offices were small and little work were done manually. Then there were thing like modern equipment like document, telephone, photocopying machines, address machines etc.

Though modern technology assists, yet librarian are afraid of being displaced by them. Because of some of the manual equipments used by librarian are being supervised by automated machines and process. It is not easy for technologies to replace librarian in the offices because the place of a Collection development programe as an enhancing tool is very significant. This is because any technology applied will be operated by a trained Collection development programe as an enhancing tool if efficiency and effectiveness, must be maintained.

There are also human attributes that the Collection development programe as an enhancing tool posses that modern technology cannot offer. Adequately trained, reasonably motivated and royal librarian aid the executive in performance of duties will be needed to complement the modern technological innovations in the offices.

Brief History of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.

The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri was established by Edict No. 16 of 1978 it opened for classes on 15th December, 1978 at a temporary site in the premises of the government trade centre along Egbu road, Owerri with initial of 275 students.

In 1980, the College of Education as was it name then was moved to it permanent site in Nekede Owerri. The name of the College was later changed to Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.

In 1987 by the Edict No. 6 of 1987 it was further renamed Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri by the Federal Amendment of Decree 1993 of 1st January, 1993. It motto:Knowledge and skill for service which has been demonstrated by the quality of graduates and professional that the school has produced over they years.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

Because of the increasing demand for the use of automated process in our organisation in Nigeria, technology has been introduced to perform most of the jobs in the organisation, more especially the duties of a Collection development programe as an enhancing tool in an office. In some organisations, the management considers it fit to employ computer operator, programme managers and technologist instead of providing adequate training and education for their librarian to handle such computers. As a result of this, librarian have been regarded as mere typist who cannot handle these machines, nor who do not have capacity of leaver and caravel new skills.

The problem of this study is that many librarian have been displaced in the office while many others have been hindered from security a good job by introduction of technological development in the case of library profession . in the light of all these, this research work aims at encouraging librarian to put aside this fears and anxieties of being replaced by technological advancement in the office or getting people that will effectively use such machines without involving the librarian. The researcher tens to tackle this problem by investigating the place of librarian in a technological advanced organisations like Institution such as:FPNO Nig. Plc, and FPNO of Nig. all in Owerri, Imo state.

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1.3 Purpose of the Study

The general objectives of this study is to evaluate the place of a Collection development programe as an enhancing tool in technological advanced economy. The specific objectives include:

1. To examine the kind of modern technology that exist in the organisation.
2. To find out if modern technology pose any threat to the collection development programes practice.
3. To find out if librarian will adequately fit in the modern technological office environment, when they are sufficiently trained.
4. To examine if technological advancement can generate job opportunities or unemployment for librarian.
5. To study how technological advancement in office can facilities or mar the job of librarian.
6. To appraise the changes which technological advancement can cause in the duties of librarian.
7. To recommend measures for blending the job of the Collection development programe as an enhancing tool and sophisticated modern equipment in achieving high productivity in offices.

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1.4 Significance of the Study

When this study has been concluded, an elaborate examination of the role of a Collection development programe as an enhancing tool in an organisation must have been done. Some organizations are not aware of these modern office technologies. This types of organisations will benefit from this research, because after getting through this work, they will be well exposed about the various equipments, that they could use to carry their duties effectively. There are other organisations who knows or aware of the existence of this modern office equipment, but are not informed about their applications, there organisations will equally benefit.

What about organisations that are privileged to access to those equipments? They will be at an advantage in that, they will be better placed to know the different roles which librarian can play and their ability to operate complex and automated machine. This research will also be useful in institutions of higher learning that offers library and Information science studies. Hence after reading this research work, they will be able to redraw their circular and syllabus to accommodate subjects that are computer oriented.

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1.5 Scope of the Study

The primary aim of this study is to examine negative implication of technology oriented business environment on the modern librarian. However, because of some constraining factor such as lack of co-operation from information administrators, sources finance and poor transportation system, the research decided to limit the scope only to institution in Imo state, such as FPNO which represents a sample of the population of Nigeria enterprises.

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1.6 Research Questions

Some research questions has been designed to guide the research work in achieving its focal points. They includes:

1. What kind of modern technology exists in organisations in Nigeria?
2. Is modern technology a threat to security Collection development programe as an enhancing tool?
3. Will adequately trained librarian be employed to improve unemployment prospects for librarian?
4. Can technological advancement generate employment or unemployment prospect for library department?

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1.7 Definition of Terms

Collection development programe as an enhancing tool:

A skill practitioner of the basic office who is employed as an administrative assistance to a superior officer.

Technological Advancement:

This is a complex modern labour and cost cutting equipment that are now increasingly utilized in organisations.

Word Processor:

It refers to the process by which an idea is translated into written communication. It also record typed works, diagrams etc and displays them on screen, where they can be corrected or changed and then automatically printed.

Data:

It means fact or information.

Document:

This is a keyed writing machine

Computer:

It is an electronic device used for storing, analysing information failed into it, it is also used for calculating.

Record Management:

It is a cycle which involves the creation, utilization, storage, retrieval and disposition of collection.