IMPLEMENTATION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION POLICIES IN LIBRARIES IN NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA (NOUN)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess the implementation of Library and Information Policies in Libraries in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Specifically, the paper looked at the written information policy available, existence of the unwritten information policy, extent of implementation of information policy in Libraries, extent of implementation of the policy and barriers to effective implementation of the policy. The review and quantitative approaches were used in the paper. To evaluate the degree and the obstacles to implementation, statistical data were utilized. This approach was used because primary data generate numerical data that is sufficient to assess the policies' applicability in libraries. Regarding this, opinions from a chosen group of stakeholders were sought regarding important matters such as the presence of information policies within their area, the degree of implementation, and the obstacles to implementation. These three metrics are frequently used to assess actions or results related to the formulation of policy. The participants were selected from eight study centres of National Open University. Fifty-two of the seventy online (Google Docs) surveys that were distributed to the librarians (the stakeholders) were filled out and submitted online representing 74% return rate. Results were obtained using a simple tabulated frequency. Majority of the institutions under investigation were found to operate with unwritten information policies, and the majority of them do not have written information policy statements. The study found that the application of information policies was at an average level. The study revealed the factors that prevent information policies from being implemented in libraries effectively as: resistance from important stakeholders; insufficient funding for libraries; lack of funding for training and retraining; unclear operational guidelines; conflicts with other policies; absence of compliance monitoring among others. The study recommended among other things that the National Open University of Nigeria's libraries and information centres should be required to apply policies as part of their operations as recommended by the Nigerian Library Association and the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria.