Title: Managing Electronic Collection Resources (ECRs): Nigerian University Libraries Perspective
Author(s): Obidike, N.A.; Mole, A.J.C
Publication Year: 2024; Volume 19, Issue 2, pages 9-30

One of the major concerns of academic libraries is how to manage their electronic collection resources (ECRs) for easy access to lecturers, students and research fellows. It is worthy of note that no previous studies have been conducted in university libraries in Nigeria vis-à-vis the three managerial protocols of electronic collection resources assessed in this study. The study employed descriptive survey design with data collecting instruments made of questionnaire and semi-structured interview schedule to elicit responses from the library staff respondents. Frequencies, means and standard deviations were the descriptive statistical indices used in presenting the data for this study. Independent sample t-test was used to test the three null hypotheses at the probability of 0.05 level of significance. The mean responses of the librarians and para-professionals respondents on planning practices for ECRs did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the mean responses of librarians and para-professionals with regards to the staffing provisions for ECRs. The study did not observe any significant (P > 0.05) difference in the mean responses of the two categories of library staff respondents with regards to the preservation practices employed for ECRs. It is anticipated that if sound and efficient managerial protocols for ECRs are put in place in Nigerian University libraries, lecturers, students and research fellows will afford themselves the opportunity to access the desired electronic information materials for their research work.