Collection Management Influence on Usage of Library Materials

Abstract

The purpose of the work is to find out the impact of collection management practices on the use of library materials in two Ghanaian academic libraries. The convenience sampling technique was used and the quantitative data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. Though it was difficult getting questionnaires from some respondents at University of Education, Winneba library, and therefore the time frame for the research was exceeded. The main findings were: the electronic and non-electronic resources of the two libraries were inadequate, University of Cape Coast Library had a section for the visually impaired, whilst University of Education, Winneba does not, most users of both libraries failed to get involved in the selection process and also materials mainly used in the libraries were textbooks. The two institutions under study were established by the Government of Ghana to train teachers for the countrys first and second cycle institutions. Compelling collection development and management practices of libraries in these institutions is crucial. The study implies that all collection development practices have a direct link on the patronage of libraries. Secondly, public academic were built with the funds of the tax payer, hence under utilisation of such a facility could be a waste of resources.

Keywords: Collections, Management, Development, Users, Patronage, Library

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