Quality management approaches in academic libraries: A case study of Nigeria

1. 1. Background 2. Research Aims Quality management approaches in academic libraries: A case study of Nigeria • Quality management models have been identified as the management frameworks that give libraries the necessary controls to address risks and monitor and measure performance in their work procedures. • In Nigeria, the changing role of academic libraries through the development and introduction of information and communication technology has necessitated the use of management techniques to increase efficiency in libraries. • Paucity of literature to demonstrate quality management implementation in Nigerian academic libraries provides rationale for this study . • This study aims to assess the types of management procedures in place in Nigerian academic libraries . • It seeks to ascertain the extent to which quality management is being practiced in order to explore the possibility of recommending a systematised quality management system for Nigerian academic libraries. Halima Sadia Egberongbe, University of Sheffield, lip11hse@sheffield.ac.uk 5. Future Research 4. Preliminary findings • The next stage will be a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews ,and focus groups to generate in-depth understanding of management practices in selected academic libraries with university librarians and other members of staff of participant academic libraries • This stage will enable wider implications to be drawn for a richer interpretation of the study • 3. Research Methods • The results so far have identified some emerging themes: • Awareness of quality management practices and quality service delivery and their impact on institutional mission and vision; • Evidence of quality management application to some management procedures and services; • Non-conformance to quality management standards in managing customer services and teamwork ; • Strengths of respondent libraries identified in collection development , customer service and satisfaction; • Weaknesses identified mainly in Internet connectivity, budget allocation and staff training. • The research seeks to generate an understanding of quality management practices in Nigerian academic libraries. • A mixed methods approach is being employed to understand and capture participants’ perspectives of library practice relating to their work environment. • The first phase of the study involved an online survey conducted to explore management practices among the 30 university libraries in south-western Nigeria. • References • Srikanthan, G. &. (2003). Developing a holistic model for quality in Higher Education. Quality in Higher Education, 8 (3), 216-224. • Opara, N. (2010). Toward improving library and information services delivery in Nigeria through TQM. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information services, 4 , 1– 4. Research Supervisors: Ms Barbara Sen, Prof. Peter Willett