American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) ISSN (Print) 2313-4410, ISSN (Online) 2313-4402 © Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers http://asrjetsjournal.org/ Survey of Funding Policy and Acquisition of Information Resources in Federal College of Education (FCE) Library, Zaria, Kaduna- Nigeria Sani Murtala Ridwan* Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna-Nigria Email: sanimridwan@gmail.com Abstract The tertiary education sector in Nigeria is made up of three categories of institutions these are Universities, Polytechnics/Colleges of Technology and Colleges of Education, the Federal Government of Nigeria evidently recognizes the important roles library play in education and research through provision of information services as recommended by the National Universities Commission (NUC), hence it recommends that a minimum of 10% of each institution’s recurrent budget be spent on the development of their libraries. This paper has conducted research on funding policy and acquisition of information resources in federal college of education, zaria, so that the research has revealed the actual sources of fund, Acquisition policy and adequate funding made available in provision to acquisition of information resources in federal college of education, zaria. Recommendations for functional use of funding on acquisition Information Resources in federal college of education library have also been given. Keywords: Survey, Funding, Policy, Acquisition, Information, Resources, College Library 1. Introduction Academic libraries are those attached to universities, polytechnics, college of educations and other similar institutions of higher learning. The importance of funding in providing quality library service cannot be overemphasized. It is the glue that holds the building, collection and staff together and allows the library to attain its goals. As such, money can be considered the soul of the library. Inadequate funds impede the effectiveness of any library [1]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Corresponding author. Phone no: +2348068877574 E-mail address: sanimridwan@gmail.com. 153 http://asrjetsjournal.org/ American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 Funding models for academic libraries vary greatly, depending on whether the institution is private or public, a particular state’s budgetary regulations and funding formulas for higher education and the overall budgetary situation of each university. [2] Stated that Academic Library budgets are allocated by the central University Administration based on historic formulas or outdated needs, and libraries follow their institutional policies and mandates regarding budgets. Occasionally, an institution provides funding for its library through individual colleges and departments instead of centrally setting the library budget. In that case, each department or University’ unit decides whether or not to fund the library each year based on satisfactory library services as well as need. In most cases, academic library budgets are not allocated separately from the University budgets. For some libraries, budget is allocated partially for acquisition, while other aspects such as staff and furniture are part of the University budget. This arrangement does not meet the library needs [3]. Nigerian academic and research libraries derive the major part of their financial support from the government. [4].found that academic libraries derive the greatest part of their funds from their universities, whose major source of financial support is the government. All the different types of libraries in Nigeria, only academic libraries have a clearly- defined policy on funding. They are allocated 10 percent of the recurring annual budget of their parent institutions, a result of the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement of 1992 [5]. Funds for library and information services are traditionally derived from the library proprietor. The extent of such revenue varies from fixed fraction of received grant to ad-hoc arrangement [6].The 2013 budget allocation made by the federal ministry of education shown that the federal college of education, zaria has received a reasonable amount witch wasn’t enough to sustain the library needs. The budget has a code 0517019019 with MDA federal college of education, zaria, total personnel cost ₦3,531,412,199, total overhead cost ₦93,464,530, total recurrent ₦3,624,876,729, total capital ₦244,285,714, and total allocation ₦3,869,162,444. Which means the library will receive the sum of ₦33775024.5 that is the ten percent of ₦337750245 after deduction of the personnel cost out of the total allocation [7]. The research would contribute in improving the consciousness of funding college library in dealing with information resources, acquisition, services and safety management. It would also enable the college library to improve the quality in acquisition of information resources in order to motivate their patrons into the qualitative services. 1.1 Background of the College of Library The history of college of education library, Zaria is attached to the college history since the college of education were established is accompany with library, the Federal College of Education Zaria, formerly known as the advanced teachers’ college, Zaria. The town of Zaria lies between latitude 11.07 and 12 degrees North and longitude07.44 and 8 degrees East. Located at a distance of about 962Km from Atlantic Ocean, it is about 80 kilometers North of Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State. In April 1959, the Federal Ministry of Education, realized the cardinal importance of educational development to a nation newly attaining political independence, appointment a commission under the chairmanship of Sir Eric Ashby, master of Clare College, Cambridge, to investigate the needs of Nigeria significantly entitled 154 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 “Investment in Education”, the government of Nigeria in 1961 presented to the white paper for saw a possible increase in the enrolment of existing secondary schools and the building of 600 new ones, with an annual intake of pupils rising from 12,000 to 45,000. In order to meet this rapid expansion, four new Advanced Teachers Training Colleges were recommended: One in Lagos and one in each of the three regions; Zaria, Owerri and Ondo. For the colleges to take off, four requests for assistance were made to the then United Nations Special Fund which later became the United Nations Development Programme, special Fund component. Therefore, acting on the recommendation of the Ashby commission, the Government of the former Northern region established a Northern Secondary Teachers “College” in Zaria. The Northern Region al Government through the federal Government, requested the United Nations Special Fund for assistance. The request was granted and a plan of operation was drawn up, which was formally signed in March 1963 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Special fund and UNESCO. Authorization to start operations was given in May 1963, but the College was formally opened on 1st November, 1962 with an initial intake of 150 Students. The project was originally envisaged for five year duration. Subsequent revisions to the original plan of operation extended this for about three years. The name of the College was later changed to Zaria Teachers’ College [8]. 1.2 Objectives of the College Briefly, the aims and objectives for establishing the College, at the take off, can be summarized as follows: 1) To provide professionally qualified non-graduate teachers of the Northern origin to man secondary and Teacher Training Colleges in the region. 2) To provide professionally qualified Assistant inspectors for primary schools. 3) Through the products or graduates of the college, to be able to gradually northernism the entire staff of all secondary schools and Teacher Training Colleges in the region. 2. Statement of the Problem [2] Explained that Academic Library budgets are allocated by the central University Administration based on historic formulas or outdated needs, and libraries follow their institutional policies and mandates regarding budgets. Occasionally, an institution provides funding for its library through individual colleges and departments instead of centrally setting the library budget. In that case, each department or University’ unit decides whether or not to fund the library each year based on satisfactory library services as well as need. In most cases, academic library budgets are not allocated separately from the University budgets. For some libraries, budget is allocated partially for acquisition, while other aspects such as staff and furniture are part of the University budget. This arrangement does not meet the library needs [3]. Nigerian academic and research libraries derive the major part of their financial support from the government. [4] Found that university libraries derive the greatest part of their funds from their universities, whose major source of financial support is the government. All the different types of libraries in Nigeria, only university libraries have a clearly- defined policy on funding. They are allocated 10 percent of the recurring annual budget 155 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 of their parent universities, a result of the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement of 1992 [5].Funds for library and information services are traditionally derived from the library proprietor. The extent of such revenue varies from fixed fraction of received grant to ad-hoc arrangement [6]. Education Trust Fund (formerly Education Tax Fund) also came into existence as a result of ASUU/FG negotiations of 1992. The fund was established under Education Tax Act No. 7 of 1993 and amended by Act No 40 of 1998, with the objective of using funds that accrue to it to improve the quality of education in Nigeria [9].Companies are mandated by law to pay 2 percent of their profit before tax to ETF. The body has been managing the fund for developmental projects and library acquisitions at various educational levels in the nation. ETF gave universities a free hand to acquire textbooks and other materials according to their needs. Each university library would submit its selection list and the publisher's catalogue for approval at ETF Head Office in Abuja. University libraries also have a free hand to choose their procurement agents or vendors. Thereafter, 80 percent of the money approved by ETF for each university library per annum will be given to it as part- payment and after auditing by ETF officials, the 20 percent balance would be paid to the procurement agent [10]. However, despite the not so encouraging situation in funding in Nigerian Academic Libraries in Nigeria as reported in the literature, [11].The Academic Libraries made series of attempt to adopt the technologies for improved services. In this direction very little success has been recorded as a lot still need to be done. Against the above background the researcher tempt to conduct a research on funding policy and acquisition of information resources in federal college of education, zaria, so that the research would be revealed the actual fund made in provision to acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria. 3. Research Objectives The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of research objectives as falling into a number as undertaking in line with the following objectives: 1) To find out the policy of acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria. 2) To explore the sources of funding information resources among the federal college of education library, zaria. 3) To determine the adequacy of the provision on funding information resources in federal college of education library, zaria. 4. Research Question In light of the above objectives the following research questions will be answered 1) What is the policy of acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria? 156 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 2) What are the sources of funding information resources among the federal college of education library, zaria? 3) What is the adequacy of the provision on funding information resources and services in relation to needs of users among the federal college of education library, zaria? 5. Methodology The survey study was carried out in Federal College of Education Library. The staff has been used as sample for the study (Convenient sampling); the data gathered were analyzed using tables, frequencies and percentages for better understanding and interpretation of findings. [12].defines survey research as a research concerned with the collection of data for the purpose of describing and interpreting existing conditions, prevailing practices, beliefs and attitudes on ongoing process. The paper is also organized according to the research questions and objectives of the study. Out of 30 questionnaires 20 were returned successfully by the respondents, Basic details about the participants in the survey are shown in bellow Tables. The demography of respondents revealed that the ages between 41-50 had the highest percent distribution of 8 (40 percent) respondents; followed by ages 31- 40 with 6 (30 percent). Ages 15 – 30 is represented by 4 (20 percent) respondents and the least representation were the 51 and above years with 2(10 percent) respondents. 6. Result and Discussion Table 1: Gender Status of respondents Gender Frequency Percentage Male 13 65% Female 7 35% Total 20 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency Percentage M Fe To Figure 1: gender Status of respondents Chart 157 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 As the table 1 shown that 13 respondents (65 percent) were male staff, while 7 respondents (35 percent) were female staff. Table 2: the policy of acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria Acquisition Policy Frequency Percentage It is prepared based on input from each unit of the library 7 35% It is prepared from the input of each head of the Division in library 8 40% It is done centrally by the college librarian 0 0 It is done centrally at group in college senate committee 0 0 It is drawn by the Group head of library services 5 25% Total 20 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency Percentage It is prepared based on input from each unit of the library It is prepared from the input of each head of the Division in library It is done centrally by the college librarian It is done centrally at group in college senate committee It is drawn by the Group head of library services Total Figure 2: the policy of acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria The result indicate that the policy of acquisition of information resources in federal college of education library, zaria is don from the input of each head of the Division in library with frequency 8 (40 percent) respondents, followed by 7 (35 percent) respondents who score for based on input from each unit of the library, It is drawn by the Group head of library services score 5 (25 percent) respondents, while It is done centrally by the college librarian and It is done centrally at group in college senate committee each score 0 (0 percent) respondents. 158 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 Table 3: the sources of funding information resources in the federal college of education library, zaria. Sources Frequency Percentage Grant from FG/SG 15 75% Organizational body 3 15% Fund raising 0 0 Overdue charges 1 5% Charges for photocopying and printing 0 0 Charges for internet use 0 0 Donation 1 5% Total 20 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency Grant from FG/SG Organizational body Overdue charges Charges for photocopying and printing Charges for internet use Donation Total Figure 3: the sources of funding information resources in the federal college of education library, zaria. 159 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 In order to understand how the library is funded participant were asked and made the appropriate answer, the table 3 result reveal that college library have being funded by grant from FG/SG with 15 (75 percent) respondents, followed by Grant from the allocation of organizational body 3 (15 percent) respondents while Overdue charges and fines collected by the library and Donation score 1 for each with (5 percent) respondent, and rest of Fund raising organized by the library and Charges for added services such as photocopying and printing of soft copies of electronic documents score 0 (0 percent) that means there is no Fund raising organized by the library and Charges for added services such as photocopying and printing of soft copies of electronic documents being collected for these purposes. Table 4: Levels of financial support does college Library get for Library development Levels of Financial Support Frequency Percentage Federal Government level 14 70% State Government level 2 10% Local Government level 1 5% Donor Agencies 2 10% Institutional support 1 5% Total 20 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency Percentage Federal Government level State Government level Local Government level Donor Agencies Institutional support Total Figure 4: Levels of financial support does college Library get for Library development Participant were asked about the Levels of financial support does college Library get for Library development and made the correct answer, the table 4 result reveal that college library received financial support from Federal Government level 14 (70 percent) respondents, followed by State Government level and Donor 160 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 Agencies 2 for each with (10 percent) respondents, while rest of Local Government level and Institutional support each score 1 with (5 percent) respondent. Table 5: Adequacy of the provision on funding information resources in federal college of education library, zaria Adequacy Very high adequacy high adequacy Adequacy Not adequacy Undecided Total Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Grant from FG/SG 5 25% 4 20% 11 55% 0 0 0 0 20 100% Funding Grant from the allocation of organizational body. 0 0 0 0 6 30% 7 35% 7 35% 20 100% Fund raising organized by the library 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 70% 6 30% 20 100% Overdue charges and fines collected by the library 0 0 0 0 5 25% 13 65% 2 10% 20 100% Charges for added services such as photocopying and printing of soft copies of electronic documents 0 0 0 0 5 25% 14 70% 1 5% 20 100% Charges for internet use 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 90% 2 10% 20 100 Donation 0 0 1 5% 8 40% 5 25% 6 30% 20 100% In order to understand the adequacy of the provision on funding information resources in federal college of education library, zaria participants were asked and the table 5 make it clear that 11 (55 percent) respondents say there is adequacy on Grant from FG/SG, followed by 5 (25 percent) for very high adequacy, while 4 (20 percent) for some that score for high adequacy, rest of the option that are not adequacy and undecided each score 0 (0 percent) respondents. On the Funding Grant from the allocation of organizational body, 7 (35 percent) respondents score each for not adequacy and undecided, followed by 6 (30 percent) respondents who score to adequacy, very high adequacy and high adequacy each score 0 (0 percent). Fund raising organized by the library 14 (70 percent) respondents score for not adequacy, followed by 6 (30 percent) respondents who score for undecided, while 0 (0 percent) respondent each for very high adequacy, high adequacy and adequacy. Overdue charges and fines collected by the library 13 respondents (65 percent) score for not adequacy, followed by 5 (25 percent) respondents who score to adequacy, while undecided score 2 (10 percent) respondents, very high adequacy and high adequacy each score 0 (0 percent) respondents. Charges for added services such as 161 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 photocopying and printing of electronic documents, 14 respondents (70 percent) score for not adequacy, followed by 5 (25 percent) respondents who score to adequacy while undecided score 1 (5 percent) respondent, very high adequacy and high adequacy each score 0 (0 percent) respondents. Charges for internet use 18 respondents (90 percent) score for not adequacy, followed by 2 (10 percent) respondents who score to undecided while rest of very high adequacy, high adequacy and adequacy each score 0 (0 percent) respondents. Donation 8 respondents (40 percent) score for adequacy, followed by 6 (30 percent) respondents who score for undecided, not adequacy score 5 (25 percent) respondents, while high adequacy scores 1 (5 percent) respondent and rest of very high adequacy score 0 (0 percent) respondents. 7. Conclusion Based on the findings of the study, it could be concluded that federal college of education library services are neglected from the government and the heads of the institutes. This has a negative impact on the provision of information resources and services to researchers. For sure, if adequate budgetary allocation and proper implementation or utilization is made, services of federal college of education library will be improved. It then calls for a collective effort and responsibility of both the federal, state and local governments where these institutes are, and donor agencies, both local and international, etc. The management of these institutes has a great task of making sure that the library which is a central organ of the institute is given proper attention by ensuring that any money allocated or given as a gift should be utilized judiciously. 8. Recommendation The study recommends the following: 1) Due to the total absent of e-library and e-services in federal college of education library, Zaria, the college library should embrace ICT, e-library and e-services these will offer more practical and user friendly electronic information resources and services in the collection of the library. 2) Funding should be consistent, timely and adequate based on needs of the library to increase the capacity of information resources and services needed by staff and students of the federal college of education, Zaria. 3) The federal college of education should consider the inflationary trends in the country when allocating funds for library services so as, to increase the purchasing power of the library to acquire more materials with little money. 4) Appropriate funding levels should be identified to allocate funds required in the library to take care of the needs of libraries such as, maintenance of facilities, replacement, repairs, renovation and investment in new and improved means of information access delivery. 5) Funds meant for the library should be used on the acquisition of library materials and service delivery and to improve the number of staff for effective provision of essential services to the teeming library user. 162 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) (2015) Volume 11, No 1, pp 153-163 References [1]. 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Pp. 38-41 163 http://www.ala/washoft/woissues/washfunding/primer.htm http://www.ala.organisation/acrl/acr/pubs/cr/news/backisssues2002/novmonth/topissuesfacing.htm http://www.fcezariaonline.net/