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ii
Volume 15 I May, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Power of Imageries in Community Information and Engagement:
Repositioning Audiovisual Resources
Ngozi Perpetua Osuchukwu & Angela Ebele Okpala - - - - - - - 1
Internet of Things (IOT): An Indispensable Tool for Smart Library
Services in Nigerian University
Kudirat Abiola Adegoke - - - - - - - - - - - 8
Predictors for the Adoption and Utilization of E-Resources by Undergraduate
Students in University of Ibadan
Mojisola Omowumi Odewole, Folasade L. Kolawole
&
Catherine Omolola Odu-Mojoyinola - - - - - - - - - 17
Perceived Usefulness of Electronic Health Records System by Medical
Doctors in Private University Teaching Hospitals in South-West, Nigeria
Blessing Damilola Abata-Ebire & SaheedAbiola Hamzat - - - - - -
31
A Survey of Library Resources for Story-Hour Programmes in
Public Libraries in Anambra State
Cynthia Nkiru Okey-Okafor & Prof. Anthonia Ukamaka Echedom - - - - - 45
Dusty Print Resources and Its Health Hazard on Library Staff
Maryam Muhammad Liman - - - - - - - - - - 54
Acquisition and Utilization of Government Publications in
Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Library, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Ebisemen Pat. Lulu-Pokubo & Comfort N, Owate - - - - - - - 64
Attitude of Librarians Towards the Use Of E-Resources for Collection Development in
University Libraries in South East Nigeria
Nkechi Roseline Obiozor Ekeze - - - - - - - - - - 75
Availability of Internet Facility and Utilization by Undergraduate Students of
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Nigeria
Mercy Ekenma Echem & Comfort N. Owate - - - - - - - - 81
Emerging Issues in Library and Information Science Education in the Covid-19 Era
Victor Wagwu, Kolawole Francis Ogunbodede,
Adaora C. Obuezie & Comfort N. Owate - - - - - - - - 89
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ACQUISITION AND UTILIZATION OF GOVERNMENT
PUBLICATIONS IN CAPTAIN ELECHI AMADI POLYTECHNIC
LIBRARY, RUMUOLA, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE
Ebisemen Pat. Lulu-Pokubo (Ph.D) CLN
Department of Library and Information Science,
Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Email: patlulu20@gmail.com
Comfort N, Owate (Ph.D) CLN
Department of Library and Information Science,
University of Port Harcourt,
Choba, Rivers State
Email: comfort.owate@uniport.edu.ng
Abstract
Government publications are vital information resources for research. This study examined the acquisition
and utilization of government publications in Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic (CEAPOLY) Library,
Rumuola, Port Harcourt. Six research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study employed
descriptive survey research design. Population of the study comprised the three library staff in the
Acquisition Unit and five working in the Circulation Section of the library. Questionnaire and observation
were instruments used or data collection. Data collected were analysed using frequency count and simple
photos, maps, charts, government serials publi
others. Method of acquisition of these publications was mainly through donation and purchase. The study
further found that lack of digitization of the government publications, delay in the arrival of the publication
to the library and poor funding has hindered adequate utilization of these publications in the library. Based
on the findings, the researchers recommended that improved funding would enable CEAPOLY Library to
purchase more government publications. The study further recommends that CEAPOLY library should
engage in online subscription to government publications, and that government publications should be
digitized in academic libraries to enhance their utilization and that competent/professional staff should be
engaged in CEAPOLY Library to manage government publications and other information resources.
Keywords: Government Publication, Acquisition, Utilization, CEAPOLY Library, Port Harcourt, Rivers
State.
Introduction
The justification for the establishment of any
library is to provide adequate information
resources to meet the demand of its users.
Libraries strive to satisfy the intellectual and
information needs and curiosity of their users by
acquiring and processing various information
resources for the use of their patrons. Onwubuiko
and Uzoigwe (2004) cited in Ani (2017) see the
library as a social institution whose responsibility
is to collect, preserve, organize and disseminate
information for the use of all who require them.
That is to say that library collection will be of no
use if not utilized effectively by those it is meant
for. They stated further that an academic library
enhances effective teaching and learning through
the provision of its information resources and
services.
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According to Idachaba (2004), information
resources include books, periodicals and audio-
visual materials that are provided for use by the
people. Glenor (2006) identified information
resources to include almanacs, dictionaries,
encyclopaedias, periodicals, directories,
government publications and legal databases. The
focus of this paper is on government publications.
According to Ani (2017), government
publications are publications that emanate from
the government whether at the local, state or
federal levels. Government publications are
defined as information materials published at
government expense or as required by law.
Ogunadana et al. (2002) perceive government
publication as information resources generated by
different arms of government including
ministries, parastatals of the government.
Similarly, Edoka (2000) classified government
publications into executive, judicial, and
legislative publications.
In Nigeria, most government documents are
published either at the national or state level by
the government printer. Every state government
has its printer located in the state capital and is
empowered to publish the official publication of
the government. In some instances, government
departments or organs can authorize or use
commercial printers or publishers to publish their
documents. Omolayole (2002) expressed that
government publications are a mine of
information on the socio-political and economic
life of any nation. Government publications are
therefore indispensable materials for research.
The acquisition, availability and utilization of
these information resources in libraries, is
therefore very essential. Libraries acquire
government publications through gifts or
donations by the various agencies of the
government at all levels. Sometimes, the essence
was to showcase and publicise government
activities and programmes.
Brief History of Captain Elechi Amadi
Polytechnic Library
Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Library started
as a School of Basic Studies Library at the then
Creek Road Campus of the school in 1980. It was
later moved to the Rumuola campus in November
1983. The institution assumed its polytechnic
status in 2006 when the National Board for
Technical Education (NBTE) accredited four
programmes namely: National Diploma in
Accountancy, Statistics, Computer Science and
Pre-National Diploma Science. In 2010 and 2019,
the National Board for Technical Education
(NBTE) accredited additional programmes at
National Diploma (ND) and Higher National
Diploma (HND) levels respectively.
https://www.portharcourtpoly.edu.ng/
The Polytechnic is situated at the heart of the town
which has made it possible for researchers outside
the institution to use the library. The library is
stocked with books and non-book materials. The
library currently has eight sections and a sitting
capacity of five hundred persons. The various
sections are: Cataloguing/Classification,
Acquisition, Serials/Research, Circulation,
Reference, E-Library, Audio-Visual, Bindery/
Reprographic.
Statement of the Problem
In spite of the importance of government
publication as indispensable information resource
for research, one would have expected to see a
large number of researchers making use of the
rich collection of government publications in
CEAPOLY library to meet their information and
research needs. From the
observation, the extent of utilization of
government publications in the CEAPOLY
library is abysmally low. This has compelled the
researchers to conduct a study on the acquisition
and utilization of government publications in
CEAPOLY library.
Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study was to determine the
extent of acquisition and utilization of
government publications in CEAPOLY Library.
The specific objectives of the study were:
1. To identify the kind of government
publications acquired in the CEAPOLY
library.
2. To examine the method of acquisition of
government publications in this library.
3. To ascertain the frequency of acquisition of
government publications in CEAPOLY
library
4. To determine how regular the government
publications are utilized.
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5. To find out the problems encountered by the
library in the acquisition and utilization of
government publications in CEAPOLY
library.
6. To suggest strategies that could be adopted
to overcome the challenges in CEAPOLY
library
Research Questions
The following questions guided the study
1. What kinds of government publications
are acquired in CEAPOLY library?
2. What methods are adopted for the
acquisition of government publications in
CEAPOLY library?
3. How frequent are these publications
acquired in CEAPOLY library?
4. How often government publications are
utilized CEAPOLY library?
5. What are the problems encountered by the
library in the acquisition and utilization of
these publications in this library?
6. What strategies could be adopted to
overcome challenges encountered by
CEAPOLY library in the acquisition of
government in CEAPOLY library?
Review of Related Literature
The term government publication could be used
interchangeably to refer to publications emanating
from the various organs and agencies of the
government reflecting government policies,
programmes, laws, decisions and other activities
of the government at all levels. In some libraries,
government publications are regarded as special
collection. Special collection refers to information
resources collected because of their special nature,
subject and origin. It includes United Nations
Publications, Africana publications, archives and
government publications (Odu, 2015). They may
be published daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly,
quarterly, biannually or annually.
According to Alhassan and Abdusalaam (2013),
government publications are fundamental
information resources generated by different arms
of government including ministries, parastatals
and agencies. Ajayi (2019) identified the
importance of government publications to
include:
They are primary sources of information to
the society on which new ideas and
knowledge are created.
Government publications serve as data
banks from which records of performance
could be appraised.
They serve as the mouthpiece of government
to the governed, it helps the society to
criticize the government positively.
They help administrators and managers to
improve their performance.
They help the government to receive loans
and assistance from international
organization.
Types of Government Publications
There are many types of government
publications. Ajayi (2019) identified the
following:
Government publications published by the
executive arm of government such as annual
budget, memos, circulars, administrative
records (recruitment/appointments, records
of discipline, records of termination of
appointment, retirements, wages and
salaries), capital development financial
records, public administration records,
chieftaincy records, gazette, white paper,
personnel records etc.
Legislative records such as motion and bill
records, public complaints records,
personnel records, appointment records,
audit records, records of house proceedings,
rules and regulation records etc.
The judiciary records range from case files,
judgement files, public rules and
regulations, gazette laws and bills, family
law records, business law records, political
records, international law records,
jurisprudence records etc.
Government agencies like parastatals and
their records, ministries, commissions and
their records.
The international organizations include
African Union, ECOWAS, UN, UNESCO,
UNICEF, etc
Similarly, Koga (2005) outlined two major types
of government publications as published and non-
published documents. Published documents
include information products the government
imparts on its initiative. Examples are
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administrative reports, reports of
committee/commission/panel, tribunal
proceedings, technical reports, and statistical
reports. This type of government publication
whether in print or on government websites is
created for public use. On the other hand, Opara
(2008) opine that non-published documents are
primarily meant to be used in-house and are not
for public consumption. Examples are
institutional bulletins, WAEC and JAMB question
papers, conference, seminar, workshop papers,
lectures, memo, and official gazettes.
Acquisition of Government Publications
The acquisition is the process by which libraries,
archives or documentation centres obtain books
and other documents needed by their patrons or
clientele. It is the act of acquiring knowledge or
books that are relevant to users. Acquisition of
government documents is the process of selecting,
ordering and receiving materials for inclusion in
the library collection whether by purchase, gift,
legal deposit, exchange program, or even electron
icinformation retrieval. The acquisition is defined
by Okwor et al. (2019), as the process of
verifying, ordering and paying for needed
information resources. It means securing
resources for a library's collection whether by
purchase, as gifts or through an exchange
program. Acquisition of government documents is
mainly through donation, gifts, and deposits from
ministries, corporations, parastatals, universities
and research institutes. The acquisition
department is the only gateway to any library's
collection development. Adequate acquisition of
government publications at all levels is a major
budget item for all libraries and should be so
treated (Edoka, 2000; Asogwa & Asiegbu 2010).
In a study on the acquisition and use of
government publications in university libraries,
Ezema and Okafor (2010) noted that acquisition is
mainly through gift, donation, and legal deposit.
Publications from federal government ministries,
parastatals, and government agencies constitute
more than eighty per cent of acquisition within the
period reviewed. The study also revealed that the
Nigerian legal deposit law is no more effective
and that it affects the acquisition of government
publications in Nigerian university libraries
(Ezema & Okafor, 2010)
Utilization of Government Publication
Uhegbu (2007) asserts that information utilization
is the appropriate use of acquired information.
The utilization of information differs from person
to person and from one corporate organization to
the other according to their information needs and
other socio-economic imperatives. The utilization
of information resources is a function of how
proper the resources are organized and made
available for use. According to Bida (2011),
utilization means the usefulness of something or
making proper use of something in order to
achieve the desired result. The primary aim or
objective of the library or any information centre
is to select, acquire, process, store and make
information resources available for use. These
information resources are meant for the utilization
of library clientele.
The utilization of information resources and
services is usually determined by library statistics
which show the number of materials consulted
and those borrowed. In libraries, it is easy to count
all the books that were removed from the shelves
daily before reshelving them. This constitutes the
statistics of consulted materials in the library. On
the other hand, the number of charges made, that
is, the record of borrowed materials for each day
shows the number of books borrowed. Therefore,
the number of materials consulted and those
borrowed for home reading constitute the actual
utilization of information resources in a library.
Acquisition, availability and accessibility are
prerequisite for information utilization (Adebare,
2014).
Odu (2015), carried out a study on the lack of
utilization of government document collections
by researchers and the general public. The study
recommended the need to create awareness and
sensitise the public on the availability and
relevance of government publications. Similarly,
the Australia Library and Information Association
(2003) reported that the unavailability and lack of
access to government publications were caused
byc hanges in government policy. The
introduction of government online policy which
requires government agencies to make their
publications online rather than in physical format
has affected the availability, accessibility and
utilization of government publications. Odu
(2011) observes that government publications are
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good source of information for research in history,
statistics and other disciplines but are not
significantly available for users to utilize.
Research Method
The study employed a descriptive survey research
design. Questionnaire, observation and oral
interview were used for data collection.
Population of the study were library of the staff
working in the Acquisition Unit and Circulation
units in Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic
Library. There are currently three (3) staff in the
Acquisition Unit and five (5) staff in the
Circulation Unit. No sampling was carried out
because the population was manageable .enough
to be studied. The data collected were analysed
using frequency count and simple percentages.
Result and Discussion
Table 1: Demographic Data of Respondents
A
g
e Fre
q
uenc
y
Percenta
g
e %
35-45
46-55
56-65
Total
1
5
2
8
12.5
62.5
25.0
100
Rank
Principal Librarian
Assist. Chief Library Officer
Library Officer 1
Senior Assist. Registrar
Admin Officer
Total
1
1
1
2
3
8
12.5
12.5
12.5
25.0
37.5
100
Hi
g
hest Qualification
MLS
BLS
Diploma in LIS
Others (outside
librarianship)
Total
-
2
1
5
8
-
25.0
12.5
62.5
100
Professional Ex
p
erience
1 5
6 - 10
11 - 15
16 - 20
Over 20 years
Total
-
-
2
3
3
8
-
-
25.0
37.5
37.5
100
Analysis in Table 1 reveals that staff of the library
between the ages of 35 - 45 years was 1(12.5%),
46 55 was 5(62.5%) and 56 - 65 was 2(25.0%).
The study revealed the rank of library staff as
follows: Principal Librarian, Assistant Chief
Library Officer and Library Officer were
1(12.5%) respectively, while Senior Assistant
Registrar and Admin Officer were 2(25.0%) and
3(37.5%) respectively. Also, the highest
educational qualification of the respondents
showed that 2 (25.0%) possessed Bachelor's
Degree in Library Science; 1(12.5%) have a
Diploma certificate in Library Science, and
5(62.5%) possessed other qualifications. Finally,
the distribution of the professional experience of
the respondents showed that 2(25.0%) had worked
for 11-15 years; 3(37.5%) had worked for 16 20
years and 3(37.5%) have worked for over 20
years.
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Research Question One: What kind of government publications were acquired in the CEAPOLY library?
Table 2: Government publications acquired in CEAPOLY Library.
S
/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1. Administrative report of local, state and federal governments
i
n Ni
g
eria
1 12.5 7 87.5
2. Government
p
roceedin
g
s 1 12.5 7 87.5
3. Bulletins - - 8 100
4. Circulars 3 37.5 5 62.5
5. Debates - - 8 100
6. Di
g
est - - 8 100
7. Directories 1 12.5 7 87.5
8. Official Gazettes 3 37.5 5 62.5
9. Government Handbooks 2 25.0 6 75.0
10. Conference, seminar, workshop papers, lectures of
g
overnmental or
g
anizations.
1 12.5 7 87.5
11. Government com
p
uter
(
databases
)
, CD-ROM - - 8 100
12. Serials publications of government Ministries and
D
epartments such as newspapers, newsletters, magazines,
j
ournals
7 87.5 2 25.0
13. Government re
p
orts and account
(
annual bud
g
et estimate
)
4 50.0 4 50.0
14. Memorandums of
g
overnment - - 8 100
15. To
p
official
g
overnment members'
p
hotos, ma
p
s & charts 8 100 - -
16. Yearbooks and surve
y
1 12.5 7 87.5
17. Publication of international or
g
anizations 2 25.0 6 75.0
18. Government Bills and Acts 1 12.5 7 87.5
19. Government white
p
a
p
er - - 8 100
20. Government manual 3 37.5 5 62.5
Result of the analysis in Table 2 revealed the kind
of government publications acquired in the
CEAPOLY Library. Out of the twenty items
listed, it was indicated that top official
government members' photos were the most
acquired, 8 (100%), serials publication 7 (87.5%),
government reports and account 4 (50%)
circulars, official gazettes and manuals were 3
(37.5). Government handbooks and international
organization publications 2(25%) while
administrative report, government proceedings,
directories, conferences, seminars, lectures of
governmental organizations, yearbooks and
government Bills/Acts was 1(12.5%)
respectively. The responses also showed that
bulletin, debate, digest, government database,
memorandum of government and government
white papers were not acquired in the library. The
above responses were also confirmed by the
Research Question Two: What method was used for the acquisition of government publication in
CEAPOLY library?
Table 3: Method of acquiring government publications in CEAPOLY Library
S/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1 Le
g
al de
p
osit - - 8 100
2 Purchase 6 75.0 2 25.0
3 Gifts 1 12.5 7 87.5
4 Exchange - - 8 100
5 Donations 8 100 - -
6 Subscri
p
tion - - 8 100
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From table 3, it could be seen that six methods of
acquiring government publications were listed.
The result shows that donation was the major
method of acquiring government publications in
CEAPOLY library. The response rate was 8
representing 100%. The result also revealed that 6
(75%) of the respondents also indicated that
purchase was another method of acquiring
government publications while 1(12.5%) of the
respondents pointed out that government
publications was acquired through gift. The result
also showed that the library did not acquire
government documents through legal deposit,
exchange and subscription as indicated by the
respondents.
Research Question Three: How frequent are these publications acquired in the library?
Table 4: Frequency of acquisition of government publications
S/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1 Weekl
y
- - 8 100
2 Monthl
y
- - 8 100
3 Quarterl
y
- - 8 100
4 Biannuall
y
1 12.5 7 87.5
5 Annuall
y
2 25.0 6 75.0
6 Not s
p
ecific 8 100 - -
Table 4 revealed that all the respondents 8, (100%)
indicated that the frequency of acquisition of
government publications was not specific, meaning
that it comes anytime since it was acquired mainly
through donation. However, 2(25%) indicated that
acquisition of the publication was on an annual
basis while 1(12.5) of the respondents indicated the
acquisition was done biannually.
Research Question Four: How often are the government publications utilized in the library?
Table 5: Frequency of utilization of the government publications
S/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1 Dail
y
2 25.0 6 75.0
2 Weekl
y
3 37.5 5 62.5
3 Fortni
g
ht 2 25.0 6 75.0
4 Monthl
y
1 12.5 7 87.5
5 Yearl
y
- - 8 100
of government publications was on weekly basis
with a response rate of 3(37.5%). It was also
revealed that users utilize these publications on a
daily and fortnightly basis as shown with a
response rate of 2(25%) respectively. While
1(12.5%) of the respondents indicated that users
use government publications every month.
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Research Question Five: What are the problems encountered by the library in acquiring these
publications?
Table 6: Problems encountered by the library in acquiring government publications
S/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1 Poor fundin
g
7 87.5 1 12.5
2 Dela
y
in the arrival of
g
overnment
p
ublications 8 100 - -
3 Lack of current list of
g
overnment
p
ublications - - 8 100
4 Poor distribution of
g
overnment
p
ublications 7 87.5 1 12.5
5 Inadequate competent subject librarians to man government
p
ublications
4 50.0 4 50.0
6 Government
p
ublications are not di
g
itized 2 25.0 6 75.0
7 Poor com
p
liance with the le
g
al de
p
osit law 5 62.5 3 37.5
8 Poor biblio
g
ra
p
hic control - - 8 100
9 Political instabilit
y
7 87.5 1 12.5
10 Lack of
p
ublishin
g
of
g
overnment
p
ublications 5 62.5 3 37.5
Table 6 shows problems the library encounter in
the acquisition of government publications in
CEAPOLY Library. The study revealed that delay
in the arrival of government publications,
8(100%) was the major problem encountered by
the library. Poor funding, poor distribution of the
publications and political instability also affect the
acquisition of government publications in the
library. It had a response rate of 7(87.5%). Poor
compliance with legal deposit law and lack of
publishing of the publications 5 (62.5) were also
part of the challenges. Other problems were
inadequate competent subject librarians to man
government publications and lack of digitization
of the publications with a response rate of 4(50%)
and 2(25%) respectively. However, the lack of a
current list of government publications and poor
bibliographic control were not problems faced by
the library in the acquisition of government in the
library.
Research Question Six: What are the strategies that could be adopted to overcome these challenges?
Table 7: Strategies to enhance the acquisition of government publications
S/N Item Statements Yes % No %
1 Im
p
roved fundin
g
8 100 - -
2 Strict adherence to le
g
al de
p
osit law 8 100 - -
3 Current list of
g
overnment
p
ublications 8 100 - -
4 Continuous supply of government documents by the
p
ublishers
8 100 - -
5 Training of librarians on government document
mana
g
ement
8 100 - -
6 Di
g
italization of
g
overnment
p
ublications 8 100 - -
7 Pro
p
er biblio
g
ra
p
hic control of
g
overnment
p
ublications 8 100 - -
8 Continuit
y
in
g
overnment
p
olicies 8 100 - -
9 Timel
y
p
rovision of
g
overnment documents in the librar
y
8 100 - -
From the analysis in table 7, the respondents were
asked about strategies to enhance the acquisition of
government publications in their library. The result
showed that 8(100%) agreed on the item listed in
the tables ranging from improved funding to timely
provision of government documents in the library.
Discussion of Findings
In research question one, the result showed that
government publications acquired in CEAPOLY
Library was grossly inadequate for an academic
institution situated in the heart of the city where
users outside the polytechnic take advantage of the
resources in the library. Government publications
are very important information resources needed
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for research. Therefore, academic libraries are
expected to have a large collection of government
publication in their holdings. This finding agrees
with that of Ajidahun (2006), who observed that
the volume of government publication in university
(academic) libraries are very lean because of lack
of physical availability of government
publications. The researcher observed that,
government documents were inadequately
produced hence they are not available for libraries
to collect. The finding also agreed with Odu (2011)
who noted that government publications were not
significantly available in university libraries in
South-South Zone of Nigeria.
The study further revealed that donations and
purchases were the major method of acquiring
government publications in the library. This
finding agrees with the views of Ajidahun (2006),
who noted that most university libraries expect to
receive government publication free of charge, as
that was the usual practice. However, purchasing
government publication contradicts the views of
-owned
university libraries should not pay for what is
produced by the government which established
id not agree with the assertion
of the National Library of Korea (2010), which
stated that libraries are supposed to acquire
information resources through legal deposit. The
findings also revealed that the library under study
does not subscribe to government publications
online.
The findings of this study also revealed that there
was no specific frequency of the acquisition of
government publications in the library under study.
This finding is in agreement with the work of Mole
(2007) who noted that there is a lot of delay in the
supply of Nigerian government publications to
registered libraries. Mole further stated that
Nigeria's legal deposit law is no longer effective as
before. From the result on the frequency of
utilization of government publications, the
respondents agreed that users make use of these
resources which could serve as sources of reliable
information for research. However, the frequency
of use is quite low. The low level of utilization of
these resources could be traced to lack of
acquisition and availability of these resources.
The study further revealed several problems facing
the acquisition of government publications. These
problems include delay in the arrival of
government publications, poor distribution of
government publications, poor funding, political
instability, publishing problems and others.
According to Okwor et al. (2019), one of the major
problems confronting most Nigerian university
libraries in the acquisition of government
publications were lack of physical accessibility to
government documents. In other words, these
government documents were inadequately
produced; hence they were not available for
libraries to acquire. Similarly, Ajidahun (2006)
revealed that another reason why government
documents were not available was that some
government printers have been privatized, so their
publications were now placed on sale. The dearth
or inaccessibility of government publications could
be attributed to political instability in Nigeria. The
problem of finance and other related challenges
have been identified earlier by Asamoah Hassan
(2000) as some of the challenges facing the growth
of government publications in Ghanaian libraries.
Finally, it was revealed from the study that
improved funding, strict adherence to legal deposit
law, digitization of government publications, and
timely provision of government publications
among others are ways to enhance the acquisition
and utilization of government publications in the
library. This aligns with the findings of Alhassan
and Abdulsalam (2013) who suggested earlier that
an improved level of funding will enable and
encourage librarians in charge of government
documents to source for publications emanating
from government agencies, departments, offices
and so on.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Government publications are major source of
information to researchers. The importance of the
acquisition of such publications in the library
cannot be over emphasised. Despite its importance,
Captain Elechi Amadi Library could not acquire
such publication due to delay in the arrival of the
publication, poor compliance with the legal deposit
law, poor funding, publishing problems and others.
Based on the findings, the following
recommendations were made:
There should be an improved level of funding
to enable CEAPOLY Library to purchase
more government publications and encourage
https://lisdigest.org ISSN (Online): 2672 - 4820 Library and Information Science Digest Vol. 15, 2022
Volume 15 Article 7 May, 2022
staff in the Acquisition unit to source for
publications emanating from government
agencies, departments, offices and so on.
Most government printing presses that
hitherto handle their printing jobs are now
moribund and ineffective hence contracting
out the printing of government publications to
private printing companies. It is expected that
government publications should be handled
and managed by their printing presses to
enable easy access to these publications as a
one-stop-shop.
CEAPOLY library should engage in online
subscription of government publications.
Similarly, all publishers of government
publications should upload their publications
online for easy acquisition.
All the Nigerian government printing presses
both at the federal and state levels should be
required by law to publish and distribute at
least bi-annually, the lists of all the items they
published. Some of the copies should be sent
to the National Library of Nigeria and other
libraries in their various states. The same
should apply to all publishers of official
publications outside the government press.
The National Library will then compile the list
and make them available to all the academic
libraries in the country.
There is a need for academic libraries to renew
their bibliographic compilation annually and
be conversant with the various government
publications in order to know what to acquire
or request.
Delaying the supply of government
publications should be stopped. This is
because expired information is like an expired
drug.
Government documents should be digitized in
libraries to make their utilization easy.
Digitized materials could be easily accessed.
Finally, competent/professional staff should
be engaged in the CEAPOLY Library and
staff should be trained regularly for proper
management of the government publications
and other information resources.
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