Volume 8, Issue 10, October – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Academic Librarians’ Readiness towards Resource

Sharing Activities among the Federal Polytechnic
Libraries in Northern States in Nigeria
Dr. Ibrahim Idi Ahmad (MNLA, CLN)
Polytechnic Librarian
Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 1049, Daura, Katsina State, Nigeria.

Abstract:- This paper assessed the Academic Librarians and process their resources and services in order to reach the
Readiness towards Resource Sharing activities among intended library audience (Jegede, 2016). As a result, they
the Federal Polytechnic Libraries in Northern States in are anticipated to be adequately prepared with the necessary
Nigeria Three (3) objectives and research questions were resources and services to act as a reference house for user
formulated. Literatures were reviewed on concept of communities to access the appropriate resources and
resource sharing activities in Libraries, types of resource services.
sharing activities in libraries, readiness of librarians
towards resources sharing activities and challenges The academic library's primary function and
associated with resources sharing activities in libraries. significance is to assist and provide effective services to
Cross sectional survey design was used to collect data their patron community in accessing the necessary resources
from the respondents. A sample of 107 respondents were and services for their teaching, learning, research, and other
selected from the population consisted of all Academic academic activities. However, a survey of the literature
Librarians in Federal Polytechnics in Northern Nigeria. revealed that libraries in Nigeria are in disarray, as they have
The findings indicated that the academic librarians become the custodians of insufficient resources and services
under study generally participate in inter-library as a result of the government's neglect in subsidising
loaning, exchange of personnel, and sharing education. Furthermore, libraries are faced with numerous
bibliographical data to share resources. However, they challenges in terms of inadequate and irrelevant resources.
do not engage in maintenance of union catalogue, This is caused by inadequate funding, poor budgetary
cooperative reference resource sharing, cooperative allocation/implementation and lack of attention by the
acquisition and the academic librarians under study policy makers/authorities, etc. (Onifade, 2015). In spite of
believed that their libraries have the necessary resources all the efforts made, academic libraries in Nigeria must re-
and infrastructure to provide high-quality resources and strategize and find long-term solutions to the persistent
deal with challenges that may arise during resource issues raised in order to meet the teaching, learning, and
sharing. It was concluded that that the academic research demands of the faculty members, students, and
librarians have certain level of reediness and the findings other researchers they are designed to serve. One of these
suggest that while there is some level of participation in ways is by their participation in resource sharing, library
resource sharing among academic librarians in federal collaboration, library consortium, interlibrary loan, and/or
polytechnic libraries in northern Nigeria, there are also partnership activities, as appropriate.
need to increase their willingness for the activities.
Among others, it was recommended that academic Academic libraries would profit from one another by
librarians explore and adopt other types of resource participating in relationship activities such as partnership,
sharing activities, such as cooperative acquisition interlibrary loan cooperation, staff exchange, gift and
building and technology sharing. This could help to exchange of resources and services, to name a few. It is
improve access to resources and services, reduce crucial to highlight that there are numerous benefits that
duplication of efforts and costs, and foster collaboration libraries gain from resource sharing activities, which, if
among polytechnic libraries in the region. correctly implemented, could serve as a panacea for a
library's shortfalls in resources, services, and weaknesses in
I. INTRODUCTION contrast to another. As previously said, no library is capable
of being self-sufficient in terms of providing support and
Academic libraries around the world are tasked with services to its patrons. It is neither conceivable or feasible
the monumental task of delivering information, resources, for a library, regardless of size or collection, to be self-
and services to their target populations, since they are sufficient in terms of providing adequate support and
formed and funded with a specific mandate to serve. In services. It is also difficult for a library to acquire all of the
support of this statement, Yusuf (2017) buttressed that a resources and services that its users require. Engaging in
well-equipped library system is a basic prerequisite for an resource sharing activities is one alternative option for
effective academic environment. Furthermore, libraries, libraries to overcome their weaknesses and improve the
regardless of where they are physically located, must assess availability of their resources and services.

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 Statement of the Problems  Research Questions
Resources sharing are exchanged in libraries for the The study meant to answer the following research
benefit of library users through partnerships, interlibrary questions:
loans, cooperative cataloguing, cooperative reference,
cooperative acquisition, exchange of personnel, cooperative  What types of resource sharing activities are practiced in
management information system sharing, and cooperative the libraries under study?
storage, among other activities. Additionally, it refers to a  What is the academic librarians’ readiness towards
way of operation in which two or more libraries collaborate, resource sharing activities in the libraries under study?
exchange, and share resources and services for the  What are the challenges associated with academic
advantage of all parties involved. The activities are carried librarians readiness toward resource sharing activities.
out solely to meet the needs of library patrons, as it becomes
a creative and shrewd method of satisfying patrons' endless  Research Objectives:
demands for resources and services, and through which
libraries overcome their weaknesses in the provision of  Find out the types of resource sharing activities practiced
resources and services to their patrons. in the libraries under study.
 Determine the academic librarians’ readiness towards
Given the preceding arguments, it is clear that the resource sharing activities.
value of resource sharing, partnership, interlibrary loan, and  Find out the challenges associated with the academic
library cooperation activities in libraries is enormous. They librarians’ readiness toward resource sharing activities.
include increasing the availability of current resources and
services, avoiding duplication in the process of resource and  Significance of the Study
service subscription, extending greater accessibility to The significance of the study is summarized in the
resources and services, lowering the cost of resource and following points:
service subscription, promoting resource and service
utilisation, and bringing libraries to understand the The Federal Government of Nigeria through Federal
importance of collaborative efforts. Ministry of Education and National Board for Technical
Education (NBTE) as a regulatory body for Nigerian
Therefore, resource sharing activities are crucial polytechnic education would find this study very significant
elements that could be used to develop library resources and in identifying the types of resource sharing activities that are
services, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria being practiced by Federal Polytechnic Libraries. This
where there is a declining financial resource allocation to understanding will help the commission in designing its
libraries, poor budgetary implementation, and a lack of programs towards assisting Nigerian libraries to meet the
commitment on the part of the authorities towards the ever-increasing demand of their users
development of library resources and services.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) will also
However, evidence from the review of related immensely benefit from the findings of the study as a guide
literature, such as Jegede (2016), Yusuf (2017), Dede- for by understanding the critical area of the federal
Bamfo (2018) and Adetimirin (2019) Ezeani and Okpechi polytechnic libraries that requires urgent attention in terms
(2018) has shown that there is little or no empirical of funding and other assistance.
evidence ascertaining the academic librarians readiness
towards resource sharing, cooperation, partnership, Finally, the study will immensely contribute to the
consortium or interlibrary loan activities among different empirical history and literature in filling the gap by
libraries in Nigeria. Planning, implementing, and improving examining the academic librarians’ readiness towards
library activities heavily depend on librarians' attitudes and resource sharing activities in federal polytechnic libraries in
preparedness towards resource sharing, cooperation, and Nigeria by using the framework.
interlibrary loan activities. A positive mindset and
preparation can go through any obstacles or weaknesses that II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
would otherwise negate an advantage or performance.
Several studies, including those by Oseghale and Obiyan,  The Concept of Resource Sharing Activities in Libraries
(2015), Jegede (2016), and Adetimirin (2019), have proven Resource sharing activities are opportunities for two or
that academic librarians are the key players who steer the more libraries to share and trade resources and services for
course of operations in each individual library. Therefore, the benefit of their patrons. It has always been at the heart of
the researcher has not come across any scientific research the existence of libraries and librarians working in various
that looks at the importance of academic librarians in organisations in order to meet the demands of their users.
Nigerian resource sharing operations. This indicates another Therefore, librarians are charged with creating, evaluating,
empirical gap or problem of the study. As such, this study acquiring, storing, preserving and disseminating resources to
was conducted with the view of reducing. their users for their academic and research activities (Jegede
2016). Historically, John Harris, the University Librarian of
the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan)
was the brain behind the introduction of library co-operation
or resource sharing activities in Nigeria. The incorporation

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of these activities in the library operational system helped  Bibliographic Access:
the libraries to join hands in forming partnership for the The organisation of resources, such as books, journals,
exchange and sharing of resources and services. Resource serial publications, or any other information carriers, that
sharing activities are agreement among libraries to share and will aid in the uniquely identifying of such an item and its
exchange resources and services (Yusuf, 2017). use in libraries is referred to as bibliographic information.
Therefore, bibliographic access in libraries includes
As a result, the notion simply means that libraries providing access point, technique and platform as well as
collaborate to share and exchange resources, as well as the medium that facilitates the use of resources and services
users' rights to access electronic databases, electronic and by the users in a given library (Ejedafiru, 2010). In order to
print books, journals, and other resources among libraries help users locate, pick, and retrieve resources, bibliographic
for teaching, learning, and other research activities. As a access involves the systematic description and evaluation of
result, the aforementioned library resources and services are resources. Historically, cataloguing departments have been
critical to the existence of institutions. Kannappanawar and thought to be the only ones with access to bibliographic
Hiremath (2019) in his study investigated the practice of resources.
resource sharing activities among Academic Libraries in
Federal Universities in the South-South of Nigeria. The  Co-operative Acquisition/Collection Development:
survey research design was employed for the study. The Cooperative acquisition among libraries is the coming
population consisted of the federal universities in the zone, together of two or more libraries to purchase or acquire their
except the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, resources and services for the benefit of their libraries and
Effurun. A questionnaire and interview methods were used library users in general. This is essential to ensure the
to collect data for the study. The findings showed that the adequate coverage of materials and services so as to render
only forms of resource sharing activities practiced amongst effective support and services to target users (Rangelova,
the studied libraries were inter-library lending and inter- Ilieva, Boyanow, and Manewa 2020). Cooperative
library study facilities. acquisition among libraries refers to the collaboration of two
or more libraries to purchase or acquire resources and
Among librarians, resource sharing activities have services for the benefit of respective libraries and library
become a popular desire and practice. The primary goal is to users in general.
enhance the quantity and scope of resources and services,
respectively. Other facilitating factors include rising  Co-operative Processing:
resource acquisition and processing costs, a shortage of This refers to the method by which libraries collaborate
educated employees, insufficient storage capacity, and rising in joint ventures. This is for the cooperative processing of
user demand. To address these issues, libraries must resources and services among library members. Different
collaborate, exchange, and share books, journals, preprints, libraries use a computer network to acquire and handle
catalogues, lists of publications, new additions, and other resources and services through inter-library lending,
materials in order to meet the needs of library users. partnership, library co-operation, and exchanging resources
Resource sharing activities among libraries are modes of and services. They can have the job of cataloguing
operation in which two or more libraries agree to enter into exchanged and shared by all the libraries for effective
cooperative agreements in order to share and trade ventures resource sharing activities in libraries in the following ways,
for the aim of sharing the resources of the libraries (Yusuf, as stated by Rangelova, Ilieva, Boyanow, and Manewa
2017). (2020).

 Types of Resource Sharing Activities in Libraries:  Co-operative Storage of Resources:

The types of resource sharing activities comprise the This is a process of collective cooperative storage by
following: libraries. Libraries within the library co-operative venture
collectively to store resources and services for safe keeping
 Inter-Library Loan: in order to be used by users. With the rapid information
Inter-library loan is a process of lending out resources explosion, the growth of the literature in different fields of
and services among libraries It is important to remember knowledge and the demand of resources and services by the
that resource sharing involves a task that necessitates inter- clientele all over, libraries are faced with limited space for
library loan across libraries in order to serve those who use storing books and other resources as well as services. As
their services.. In view of this, Oseghale and Obiyan (2021) such, they need a second option of housing the literature in
reiterated that "lending and borrowing between and among their individual libraries for their patron community. Co-
libraries are investments that pay off and it is essential to operative storage activities among different types of libraries
formulate guidelines that can facilitate information sharing serve as a medium through which they protect resources and
activities". Resources and services borrowed out either by service for the use of the patron in the future.
libraries in partnership programmes could be online
transactions or by transporting physical materials and  Co-operative Reference Services for Library Users:
services to another library through courier or Speed-Posted. Co-operative reference services refer to partnership
agreements among libraries, which enable their patrons to
use reference materials that cannot be loaned out to users of
another library. Not all reference materials in the libraries

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are meant for borrowing out but with the activities of library In Nigeria, Aina and Chigbu (2019) highlighted
partnership, users can consult a variety of reference individual and group efforts in the past aimed at fostering
materials of different libraries. co-operation activities among some university libraries. An
example of a group of university libraries comprising of
 Co-operative Cataloguing Processing in Libraries: Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University,
This is a process through which participating libraries University of Ibadan, University of Benin, University of
will have a central processing unit of their resources and Ilorin and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka was given.
services in a certain control centre as per the terms of These were attempts at enhancing library co-operation
agreement. This co-operative cataloguing allows libraries to among Universities, promoting co-operative acquisition, the
process the acquired resources in their technical section production of an index to Nigerian theses and dissertations,
through their agreement entered for resource sharing, the production of an index to Nigerian periodicals, the
activities. Yusuf (2017) explained that: Co-operation establishment of reference libraries in selected university
among different types of libraries purposely is to enables the libraries, the setting up of reference libraries, the formation
libraries to share and exchange their resources in their of a consortia of e-library, etc.
environment and beyond, which can be done through the use
of library co-operative cataloguing, and this can be Moreover, Rangelova, Ilieva, Boyanow, and Manewa
enhanced among library members globally. (2020) noted that the Department of Library and
Information Science of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria had
 Exchange of Personnel and Training Facilities established a departmental repository where it preserves
The exchange of personnel among libraries implies records on theses and dissertations submitted by its students
sharing or exchanging staff expertise among the libraries to and also paper/publications of its staff, including their
undertake certain services according to the agreement curriculum vitae, a sign that librarians welcomed
entered by them. Most of the time, the recruitment of an digitization. He also noted that the Nigeria Institute of
expert on permanent basis may be difficult due to financial Management (NIM) has established its Institutional Digital
inability and the staff needed to render certain library Repository (IDR), which contains over 2 million digital
support and services is for only a specific period of time. records on its members, programmes, financial and
Such expertise may be required only for a short period on administrative records.
demand. As such, exchange of staff and training facilities
will cater for the problem of staff inadequacy. So, with Ezeani and Okpechi (2018) approached criteria for
effective partnership this personnel problem will be academic librarians’ readiness in resource sharing activities
minimized (Aina and Chigbu 2019). from her experience as an academic librarian at Texas
University. In her article, “Hitching Your Wagon to the
 Gifts and Exchange of Resources and Services: Right Star: A Case Study in Collaboration,” The author and
Gifts on their own are the process of giving out her colleagues collaborated with a freshman orientation
resources and /or services voluntarily from one library to program to introduce college freshmen to the library. This
another in the participating group without compensation, article is important for organizations that do not have a
while exchange is the act of giving or taking resources and history of the roles academic librarians play in the resource
services in return to another or vice versa. sharing activities. From the library’s initial approach to, and
eventual long-term resource sharing activities with, the
 Academic Librarians Readiness towards Resource orientation program.
Sharing Activities
Academic librarians' readiness is vital for establishing Based on the current research and for the purposes of
and maintaining partnerships for resource sharing initiatives. this study, it can be said that studies that are undertaken in
Readiness for the purposes of this study refers to academic Nigeria with the primary goal of assessing librarians
librarians' willingness and ability to execute and carry out readiness for resource sharing activities among federal
the obligations entrusted to them in order to continue the polytechnic libraries have been seen by the researcher, this
partnership entered into by their library administration for study has closed this gap.
resource sharing activities. One major barrier that libraries
need to acknowledge when seeking alliances is cultural  Challenges Associated with Resource Sharing Activities
perception and their effort to render effective support and in Libraries are:
services to the library community. For library users, the
library might just be a place to drop in and use computers  Funding: The biggest barrier to resource sharing across
between classes or grab a cup of coffee. Libraries and libraries has been identified as inadequate finance.
librarians must contend with the widespread  ICT Infrastructure: ICT infrastructure is one of the
misunderstanding that some users only need internet challenges facing resource sharing activities in Libraries.
documents for their study. Some faculties, particularly in the ICT infrastructure was insufficient to allow resource
sciences, are unaware of the extent to which they conduct sharing operations.
research and complete other academic tasks at the library.  Resources Adequacy: libraries were not able to
effectively engage in resource sharing because of
inadequate resources.

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III. METHODOLOGY

The research design used for this study was a cross sectional survey design because it is relevant in collecting the data related
to this research. It is also a design that compares two or more groups in terms of attitudes, beliefs, opinions, practices or
operational activities. As such, the researcher can collect all the needed data from the target respondent at a single time and
population of the study comprises all the nineteen (19) Federal Polytechnics, Polytechnic Librarians and all the Academic
Librarians as stated in Table 1 below:

Table 1 Population
S/N Geo-political Zone Year of Establishment Population (Academic Librarian)
North Central
1 Federal Polytechnic, Idah 1977 15
2 Federal Polytechnic, Bida 1977 16
3 Federal Polytechnic, Sahndam 2022 7
4 Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa 1983 4
5 Federal Polytechnic, Offa 1992 25
6 Federal Polytechnic, Wannune 2021 9
North East
1 Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi 1979 14
2 Federal Polytechnic, Mubi 1979 16
3 Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo 2019 5
4 Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu 1993 13
5 Federal Polytechnic, Monguno 2022 7
6 Federal Polytechnic, Bali 2007 9
North West
1 Hussani Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure 1991 5
2 Federal Polytechnic, Daura 2019 11
3 Federal Polytechnic, Kauran Namoda 1983 11
4 Kaduna Polytechnic 2020 10
5 Waziri Usman Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi 1977 11
6 Federal Polytechnic, Kabo 2022 12
Source: NBTE WEBSITE, 2022 and Preliminary Survey, 2023,

These are the procedures used for selecting a sample divided the population into subgroups or strata, depending
from the population using certain guidelines to ensure that on the number and type of subgroup or stratum in the
the sample judiciously represented the population. Based on research. After dividing the population, then the researcher
division of the population of the federal polytechnic into applied simple random sampling technique through random
three (3) strata or group, each stratum or subgroup has the selectionto obtain the appropriate number of the objects
number of federal North West from which the sample was from each subgroup or stratum. The proportions of 50% of
drawn. the federal polytechnics from each stratum were selected
using stratified simple random sampling technique with
Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting the random selection, which gave the (9) federal polytechnic
secondary population of the study. The researcher first libraries.

Table 2 Federal Polytechnics Selected

SN Polytechnic Name Geopolitical zone Academic Librarians Polytechnic Librarian
North Central
1. Federal Polytechnic Bida North central 16 1
2. Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa North central 4 1
3. Federal Polytechnic Offa North central 25 1
North East
4. Federal Polytechnic Bali North east 9 1
5. Federal Polytechnic Bauchi North east 14 1
6. Federal Polytechnic Damaturu North east 13 1
North-west
7. Federal Polytechnic Daura North west 11 1
8. Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure North west 5 1
9. Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna North west 10 1
Total 107 9
Source: Field Study, 2023

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IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This paper presents the data collected from the academic librarians under study using questionnaire, the data collected were
analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSSv20) to provide frequency tables of the respondents’ demographic
variables, percentages, weighted mean and standard deviation.

Table 3 Response Rate

SN Federal Polytechnic Libraries Questionnaire administered Questionnaire returned
1 Federal Polytechnic Bida library 16 14
2 Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa library 4 4
3 Federal Polytechnic Offa library 25 21
4 Federal Polytechnic Bali library 9 9
5 Federal Polytechnic Bauchi library 14 14
6 Federal Polytechnic Damaturu library 13 13
7 Federal Polytechnic Daura library 11 11
8 Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure library 5 5
9 Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna library 10 10
Total 107 101
Source: Field Survey, 2023

Table 3 presents the responses of the questionnaire Table 5 Educational Qualification Academic Librarians
collected from the academic librarians in federal polytechnic SN Educational qualification Frequency Percent
libraries in northern Nigeria. 107 copies of questionnaire, 1. BLIS 30 29.7
which corresponded to the number of the sampled academic 2. MLIS 63 62.4
librarians, were administered in the 9 selected federal 3. PHD 8 7.9
polytechnic libraries in northern Nigeria out of which 101 Total 101 100.0
copies of the questionnaire were returned. It was discovered Source: Field Survey, 2023
that 6 copies of the questionnaire, which is about 5.6% were
not returned. It, therefore, implied that 94.4% of the Table 5 showcases the various highest educational
questionnaire were filled and returned. After scrutinizing the qualifications obtained by the librarians under study. Based
responses, it was observed that the returned copies of the on the data presented in the table, it is indicated that the
questionnaire were filled appropriately and found usable for academic librarians that possessed master's degrees are 63
data analysis. constituting 62.4% out of the 101 academic librarians that
participated in the survey. It can also be seen that the
Table 4 Gender of Academic Librarians in Polytechnic academic librarians that held first degree (B.Sc.) certificates
Libraries in Northern Nigeria are 30 representing 23.7% whereas the Doctor of Philosophy
Gender Frequency Percent (PhD) holders were 8 which is about 7.9%. There could be
Male 74 73.3 several reasons why the academic librarians in the survey
Female 27 26.7 possessed different levels of educational qualifications.
Total 101 100.0
Source: Field Survey These data have shown that majority of the academic
librarians with M.Sc qualifications in federal polytechnics in
Table 4 presents the gender disparity among the northern Nigeria are more than those academic librarians
librarians in federal polytechnic in the northern Nigeria. It is with B.Sc. and PhD qualifications. This level of
shown that there 74 (73.3%) males whereas the female qualification held by most of the academic librarians in the
counterpart is 27(26.7%) of the 101 academic librarians that northern Nigeria may be linked to the passion for and need
working in the polytechnic. Both the male and female by the librarians in Nigeria to attain high level of skills and
librarians were engaged in the survey to understand their to cope with the needs and aspirations of the library users
readiness towards resources sharing activities. Nevertheless, who vehemently seek and search for information to support
the number of male academic librarians in the federal their educational requirement.
polytechnic in northern Nigeria is more than the female
counterpart. It can be stated that the difference between the Table 6 Years of Working Experiences in Polytechnic
number of male and female academic librarians could be Libraries in Northern Nigeria
due to various factors such as differences in interest, SN Years range Frequency Percent
qualifications, experience, and societal biases. The disparity 1 1-5 14 13.9
may not be unconnected to the number of male graduates 2 6-10 27 26.7
that mostly pursue western education compared with the 3 11-15 39 38.6
females in the northern part of Nigeria and subsequently 4 16-20 18 17.8
engaging in public service. It may also be connected to the 5 Above 20 3 3.0
cultural restriction in the northern part of Nigeria, Total 101 100.0
Source: Field Survey, 2023

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Table 6 presents the data about the years of working worked for above 20 years. From these data, it can be
experience by the academic librarians engaged in the survey. understood that 39 academic librarians who constituted
The data shows that academic librarians that were between 38.6% had more years of working experiences than the rest
11 to 15 years were the highest among the respondents. The of the academic librarians that worked between 1 to 5 years
data also revealed that 27 academic librarians in federal while only 3 academic librarians worked for above 20 years.
polytechnic in northern Nigeria worked between 6 to 10 From these data, it can be understood that years of working
years. 18 academic librarians worked between 16 to 20 experience are basically viable to enable the respondents
years, followed by 14 academic librarians that worked provide reliable statistical information needed
between 1 to 5 years while only 3 academic librarians

Table 7 Types of Resources Sharing among Polytechnic Libraries in Northern Nigeria

SNO Types of Resource Sharing Activities Yes No X̅ Std.
1. Cooperative acquisition building 79(78.2) 22(21.8) 1.22 .415
2. Cooperative library resources processing 82(81.2) 19(18.8) 1.19 .393
3. Consortia resources sharing 89(88.1) 12(11.9) 1.12 .325
4. Exchange of Personnel 48(47.5) 53(52.5) 1.52 .502
5. Cooperative reference resource sharing 76(75.2) 25(24.8) 1.25 .434
6. Inter-library loaning 41(40.6) 60(59.4) 1.59 .494
7. Technology sharing 84(83.2) 17(16.8) 1.17 .376
8. Maintenance of union catalogue 68(67.3) 33(32.7) 1.33 .471
9. Sharing of bibliographical data 48(47.5) 53(52.5) 1.51 .502
Source: Field Survey, 2023

Table 7 presents the various types of resources sharing pointed out they did not engage in cooperative reference
activities that polytechnic libraries could participate in to resource sharing (X̅= 1.25, Std. = .434). It is also found that
sharing information resources. The academic librarians in they federal polytechnics in northern Nigeria did not join in
the polytechnics were asked to provide their opinions and cooperative acquisition building with other federal
the following responses were offered. According to the data, polytechnics in northern Nigeria (X̅=1.22, Std. = .415. The
the academic librarians emphasized the participated in inter- data equally indicated that the respondents did not
library loaning share resources (X̅=1.59, Std. = .494). The participate in cooperative library resources processing
respondents highlighted that they engaged in exchange of (X̅=1.19, Std. = .393). The data indicated that the
personnel (X̅=1.52, Std. = .502). In the same manner, the respondents did not engaged in Technology sharing (X̅=
respondents stressed that they participated in sharing 1.17, Std. = .376), and Consortia resources sharing (X̅=
bibliographical data to share resources (X̅=1.51, Std. = .502) 1.12, Std. = .325). Based on the data presented, it can be
concluded that academic librarians under study generally
Contrary to the preceding findings, the respondents participate in inter-library loaning, exchange of personnel,
accentuated that they did not engage in maintenance of etc.
union catalogue (X̅=1.33, Std. = .471). The respondents

Table 8 Academic Liberians Readiness to Share Resources among Polytechnic Libraries

SN Readiness to Share Resources SA A N D SD X̅ Std.
1. Our library has the necessary infrastructure 17 (16.8) 17 (16.8) 1 (1.0) 34 (33.7) 32 (31.7) 2.53 1.500
and technology to participate in resource
sharing activities
2. Our library staff has the necessary skills to 8 (7.9) 22 (21.8) 5 (5.0) 18 (17.8) 48 (47.5) 2.25 1.438
participate in resource sharing activities
3. Our library has a clear policy and procedure 7 (6.9) 16 (15.8) 4(4.0) 24 (23.8) 50 (49.5) 2.07 1.344
for participating in resource sharing activities
4. Our library has enough staff to support 0 (0) 11 (10.9) 4 (4.0) 57 (56.4) 29 (28.7) 1.97 .877
resource sharing activities
5. Our library has enough financial resources to 3 (3.0) 9 (8.9) 13 (12.9) 34 (33.7) 42 (41.6) 1.98 1.086
support resource sharing activities
6. Our library has the necessary legal framework 2 (2.0) 18 (17.8) 12 (11.9) 43 (42.6) 26 (25.7) 2.28 1.097
to participate in resource sharing activities
7. Our library has the necessary resources to 43 (42.6) 28 (27.7) 12 (11.9) 14 (13.9) 4 (4.0) 3.91 1.209
provide high-quality resources to other
libraries
8. Our library staff is trained on the best 7 (6.9) 15 (14.9) 16 (15.8) 21 (20.8) 42 (41.6) 2.25 1.322
practices of resource sharing activities.
9. Our library has a clear understanding of the 25 (24.8) 7 (6.9) 14 (13.9) 31 (30.7) 24 (23.8) 2.78 1.514

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benefits of resource sharing activities
10. Our library is prepared to deal with any 35 (34.7) 19 (18.8) 4 (4.0) 29 (28.7) 14 (13.9) 3.32 1.529
challenges that may arise during resource
sharing activities
Source: Field Survey, 2023
Key: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Neutral (N), Disagree (D), Strongly Disagree (SD)

Table 8 presents the opinions of the academic  The findings showcased that the academic librarians
librarians in federal polytechnics in northern Nigeria under study generally participate in inter-library loaning,
regarding their readiness to participate in resources sharing exchange of personnel, and sharing bibliographical data
among themselves. Based on the data presented, the to share resources. However, they do not engage in
respondents believed that their libraries have the necessary maintenance of union catalogue, cooperative reference
resources to provide high-quality resources to other libraries resource sharing, cooperative acquisition etc.
(X̅= 3.91, Std. = 1.209). The respondents also aired their  The findings further indicated that the academic
views that their libraries were prepared to deal with any librarians under study believed that their libraries have
challenges that may arise during resource sharing activities the necessary resources and infrastructure to provide
(X̅= 3.32, Std. = 1.529). In the same vein of views, the high-quality resources and deal with challenges that may
respondents emphasized that their libraries had clear arise during resource sharing.
understanding of the benefits of resource sharing activities
(X̅= 2.78, Std. = 1.514). It is found from the data that they VI. CONCLUSION
respondents affirmed that their libraries had the necessary
infrastructure and technology to participate in resource The data collected and analysed about the academic
sharing activities (X̅=2.53, Std. = 1.500). librarians readiness towards resources sharing in federal
polytechnics in northern Nigeria revealed that the academic
Opposing to the preceding views, the respondents librarians have certain level of reediness and the findings
confirmed that their libraries did not have the necessary suggest that while there is some level of participation in
legal framework to participate in resource sharing activities resource sharing among academic librarians in federal
(X̅=2.28, Std. = 1.097). The respondents stated that their polytechnic libraries in northern Nigeria, there are also need
library staff had no necessary skills to participate in resource to increase their willingness for the activities.
sharing activities (X̅= 2.25, Std. = 1.438). The respondents
were affirmative that their library staff were not trained on RECOMMENDATIONS
the best practices of resource sharing activities (X̅= 2.25,
Std. = 1.322). The respondents declared that their libraries  To address these gaps in knowledge and skills, it is
did not have clear policy and procedure for participating in recommended that academic librarians in federal
resource sharing activities (X̅= 2.07, Std. =1.344). In polytechnic in northern Nigeria receive additional
addition, the respondents acknowledged that their libraries training and support in these areas. This could include
did not have enough to support resource sharing activities workshops, courses, and other forms of professional
(X̅=1.98, Std. = 1.086). Equally too, the respondents stated development focused on improving their readiness.
that they did not have enough staff to support resource  To enhance resource sharing activities among
sharing activities (X̅= 1.97, Std. = .877). polytechnic libraries in northern Nigeria, it is
recommended that academic librarians explore and adopt
It can be concluded from the data presented that other types of resource sharing activities, such as
academic librarians under study believed that their libraries cooperative acquisition building and technology sharing.
have the necessary resources and infrastructure to provide This could help to improve access to resources and
high-quality resources and deal with challenges that may services, reduce duplication of efforts and costs, and
arise during resource sharing. However, on the other hand, foster collaboration among polytechnic libraries in the
the respondents identified several barriers to resource region.
sharing,  It is recommended that efforts should be made to educate
academic librarians in federal polytechnics in northern
V. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS Nigeria on the benefits of resource sharing, particularly
in terms of improving access to resources, reducing
 The findings about the demographic information of the costs, and enhancing collaboration. It may also be
academic librarians in under study indicated that there necessary to address the concerns and reservations that
are more male than their counterpart in federal the respondents have towards resource sharing.
polytechnics in northern Nigerian. Majority of the
academic librarians held MLIS qualifications compared
with B.LIS and PhD respondents. Most of the academic
librarians involved in the study had between 11 to 15
years of working experiences.

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ISSN No:-2456-2165
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