Implementation of the Minimum Standards in Federal Government College Libraries in North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the extent of the implementation of some aspects of the “minimum standards for school libraries” in Federal Government College in North-Central Zone of Nigeria. The study investigated the nature of accommodation, library collections, staffing situation and services offer in relation to the standards. Survey research method was adopted and the population comprised 23 Federal Government Colleges. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 16 FGCs. Questionnaire was the main research instrument and 16 copies were randomly administered to 16 FGCs. Simple tabulation, frequency counts and percentages were used. Out of 16 colleges studied 12 FGC’s responded. Results showed that eight libraries are sited far away from games field, eating places and noisy environment. On the other hand, seven (7) Federal Government Colleges had purposeful built school libraries. The other five (5) responding school-libraries had their libraries attached to classroom, staffroom and administrative block and the five school libraries are facing North and South directions respectively. On school library collections, only two school libraries adopted 10% standards for the acquisition of reference books and one (1) school library adopted 10% to acquire periodical collection. None of the school libraries meet the staffing requirement both in terms of categories and educational qualifications as the 12 responding school libraries were managed by 17 staff as against the expected 72 staff. While library services were not fully offered going by the frequency against each of the library services. It was concluded that Federal Government College libraries in North-Central Nigeria are ignorant about the minimum standards as a document. The study recommends that Federal Ministry of Education should make this document available for all Federal Government .it Colleges and their libraries in North-Central Zone or Nigeria; while school library legislation be enacted at the three tiers of government in Nigeria for the establishment and development of school libraries.