THE EFFECT OF REALLOCATING FUNDS ON THE LEVEL OF ELECTRONIC ACCESSIBILITY IN A LIBRARY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: This study delves into the impact of budgeting shift on electronic accessibility in a library, encompassing the necessary requirements and considerations during budgeting, the role of technical services in a consortium, and the most effective practices in budgeting. A budget serves as a roadmap for effective fiscal management. Libraries require adequate funding to support their electronic and other services, which necessitates careful budgeting. Fletcher (1990) provides two definitions of a budget, describing it as "the comprehensive representation of allocations (for expenditure) and income," as well as "the financial allocation for specific purpose or purposes during a designated timeframe." Even though libraries are focused on providing services and do not prioritise making money, they still require a budget to operate effectively. The provision of electronic materials services is a valuable source of income in the library system. The importance of budgets in libraries is growing. Libraries must efficiently allocate funds between staff and materials, which encompass acquisitions, services, and equipment. The management of library finances is increasingly being distributed across different departments. Current trends empower divisional, sectional, and unit librarians with a significant level of financial control. The approach to budgeting for library technical services is based on this framework. Several studies have been conducted on the budgets and financing of library services, but there has been limited focus on budgeting for technical or electronic services. Many discussions regarding budgeting for technical services tend to centre around a line-item budget.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to investigate the impact of budgeting changes on electronic access in Nigerian libraries. Despite the significant benefits of budgeting in strategizing and ensuring accessibility of electronic services, Nigerian libraries still face obstacles in effectively utilising budgeting to enhance electronic services. Currently, the process of acquiring and implementing electronic resources in libraries is encountering numerous challenges. This research aims to identify the constraining variables that are impeding the efficacy of electronic services in Nigerian Libraries. One of the reasons that is impeding the effectiveness of electronic access in Nigerian Libraries is the lack of sufficient funds to finance the transition towards delivering electronic materials. Furthermore, the inconsistent power supply poses a significant risk to the availability of electronic resources in the library. Consequently, users may experience dissatisfaction. Likewise, they would be unable to attain self-actualization or accomplish their life objectives. As a result, libraries in Nigeria may be unable to effectively contribute to the progress of the country.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To ascertain the rate of using electronic materials in libraries

2. Determine the impact of budgeting on accessibility of electronic materials in libraries

3. To examine the level of importance given to electronic materials in the library budget

4. Determine the problem militating against the adequate accessibility of electronic materials in Libraries.

5. Ascertain how budgeting can be used to foster accessibility of electronic materials in libraries

6. To identify the problems faced by the library management in planning a budget for electronic and other services.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. To what extent are the electronic materials effectively used in the library?

2. What are the impacts of budgeting on accessibility of electronic materials in libraries?

3. What level of importance is given to electronic materials in library budget?

4. What are the problems militating against the adequate accessibility of electronic materials in libraries?

5. What are the ways in which budgeting can be used to foster accessibility of electronic materials in libraries?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study will be significant to the following: librarians in libraries, library managers (Directors of State Library Services), state governments, and researchers. In specific terms the findings will be useful to librarians in libraries in the sense that they can apply the recommendations in improving the performance of their operations and services to library users. It will also enable them be up-to-date with current practices in librarianship, thus fully equipping them to render efficient services to library patrons.

The findings of the study will be useful to researchers in the field of librarianship and information science by allowing them identify the gap (s) that need filling. It will also afford researchers the opportunity to see the link or relationship of this study with other studies that have been conducted in the area and enable them identify the areas that need further investigation. This work is the researcher?s contribution to existing knowledge in the budgeting shift of electronic services in libraries and will serve as a useful resource material for researchers.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work is on the impact of budgeting shift on the accessibility of electronic materials in libraries using Oyo state college of agriculture and technology, Igboora as a case study.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1. Network interconnectivity to enhance elaborate research ?

2. High level of illiteracy

3. Organization operational huddles.

4. Time and cost constraints due to cause of scarcity in gasoline to go about the research.