An Emperical Study of Entrepreneurship in Academic Libraries a Case Study of Some Selected Institutions in Ekiti State

An Emperical Study of Entrepreneurship In Academic Libraries: A Case Study of Some

Selected Institutions In Ekiti State, Muhammed Jamiu Soliudeen, Ibrahim Bolaji Omolabi,

Journal Impact Factor (2015): 7.8550 (Calculated by GISI), www.jifactor.com

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1Polytechnic Digital Library, The Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

2Polytechnic Digital Library, The Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the level at which academic libraries in Ekiti State embrace

entrepreneurship. A survey technique research was adopted using a simple random technique.

A total number of one hundred (100) questionnaires were self administered but only sixty

nine were returned. From the findings, it was discovered that the Federal Polytechnic Ado-

Ekiti generates income through multimedia services. Federal University Oye generates

income through library fines and Afe BabalolaUniversity Ado indicated that parts of its

materials are secured through Bequest. Based on the conclusion that all these libraries

involvement in entrepreneurship is still generally low, it was recommended that the libraries

should set up a committee whose responsibilities will be to bring about new innovations.

Keywords: Academic Library, Income Generation, Entrepreneurship, Ekiti State.

INTRODUCTION

Academic libraries are those established to serve the academic environment. Though,

Academic library also gives room for external users, it is specially meant to serve lecturers,

students and other researchers within the institution where they exist.

Jegede (2007) described an academic library as a library that belongs to an institution

of higher education and whose primary role is to support the educational programs and

research activities of its parent institution. He explains that academic staff and students are its

primary clientele. In the past academic libraries were know as non-profit making

organizations. The information over-load or avalanches of knowledge that present numerous

information in different formats have exposed academic libraries to too many information

with meager resources. This however, has forced many libraries to quest for alternative ways

of getting money to support their budget so that they can meet up with the information needs

of their users. Librarians are now thinking of how to make innovation that can fetch more

income for their institutions. This innovation is known as entrepreneurship. Ekankumo and

Kamebradikumo (2011), expatiated on the concept of entrepreneurship while directly quoting

Shane (2003), who described “entrepreneurship as the act of being entrepreneur” meaning

‘One who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform

innovation in economic goods. He added that the most obvious form of entrepreneurship is to

AN EMPERICAL STUDY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ACADEMIC

LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED INSTITUTIONS IN

EKITI STATE

Muhammed Jamiu Soliudeen1, Ibrahim Bolaji Omolabi

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Volume 4, Issue 2, May- August (2015), pp. 01-06

Article ID: 70120150402001

International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS)

© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/IJLIS.asp

ISSN: 2277 – 3533 (Print)

ISSN: 2277 – 3584 (Online)

IJLIS

© I A E M E




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start a new business. Rader (1997) stated that funding for academic libraries has become

problematic and competitive during the last part of the 20th

century. He continued by saying

that academic libraries manage, collect and provide access to an ever-growing arsenal of

information for an increasing number of users in an environment of growing financial

constraints. Libraries which employ highly trained and educated staff, need complex

facilities and sophisticated electronic technologies in-order to operate successfully. He then

concluded that the economic issues facing libraries in the 1990”s and beyond are complex

and new approaches needed to address the academic financial dilemma.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Vymetal (2002), opined that libraries should pay attention to their operations but also

to the organizational development and do their business like in entrepreneurship manner. This

will not only give a better result but as well give higher recognition, viability international

reputation to the libraries. The library that does this will become “Centre of Excellence”

among other libraries. They will dictate the fashion, set standard and benchmark for others

looking for innovations and change. Rader (1997) was of the opinion that the library budget

for academic libraries around the world have become inadequate in recent times due to the

influence of electronic information, new technologies, increasing cost for library materials

and inadequate government funding as need for social service programs increases. He added

that the ways in which academic libraries can participate in the market place within and

outside their parent institutions depends heavily on their organizational characteristics and

their development strategies. He opined that the decision on whether and how far to commit a

library to a relatively high risk of new ventures requires sound judgment based on a deep

understanding of its potentialities and limitations of that library as an organization.

Drucker (1985) opined that public service institutions such as government agencies,

universities, polytechnics, hospitals, libraries, museum, and charitable organizations need to

be innovative with entrepreneurial skills. They need it to move yet, the public service

institutions find it far more difficult to be innovative. Libraries have reputation of

conservative, reactive and not proactive institutions which are slow to change even when the

need for change is eminent.

Agu (2006) however summarized the functions of entrepreneurship in a social and

economic development of a nation to include: Identification of business opportunities,

selection of opportunities, decisions on forms of enterprise, allocation and distribution of

resources, coordination of other factors of production and controlling organizational

programs and activities, mobilization and utilization of local raw materials, risk bearing,

creation of employment opportunities, marketing activities for customers satisfaction.

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PAPER

It is obvious that most academic libraries in Nigeria suffer marginalization from their

institutions when it comes to resource sharing. Heads of libraries do not know the amount

budgeted for their libraries. Though it is on paper that universities academic libraries are

supposed to collect ten percent (10%) of the institutional subvention, this is not seen in

reality. In some institutions as a result of the dwindling economic resources, the Management

directs departments and units to look for viable and virile alternative means of generating




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funds for their institutions. Academic libraries as a unit cannot but respond to these

challenges.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

All academic institutions face higher expenditure which is more than their revenue.

Academic libraries suffer from insufficient funding to accomplish their primary objectives.

These major challenges had left the academic libraries with no option than to look for

innovations that could bring more income to the library without abandoning their traditional

role. This however, brings about the interest of the researcher to investigate the effort of

academic libraries in this direction.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study includes the following:

• To investigate which of the library routines generates income for the libraries

• To investigate which multimedia services the library renders for fee.

• To ascertain whether the library solicit for grants from individuals

• To find out whether the libraries generate funds through social services.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• Which of the library routines generate income for the library?

• Which of the multimedia services generates income for the library?

• Do libraries solicit for funds from individuals?

• Do libraries generate money through social services?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Survey research design and simple random sampling was adopted. The study covered

four academic libraries in Ekiti State. The librarians of those academic libraries and some

experienced library officers formed the target population. A total number of one hundred

(100) questionnaires were distributed while 69 questionnaires were returned.

DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS.(section A)

The study showed that out of the 69 respondents 45 respondents representing 62.5%

were male while 26 respondents representing 37.7% were females. The years of experience

of the respondents ranged between 1 and 15 years and above. This is an indication that a

greater percent of the respondents are familiar with the library system and activities therein.

The respondents were asked about the library routines that generates income. The result in

table 2 shows their responses.

List of Abbreviations:

ABUAD-Afe Babalola University

ESCOE-Ekiti State College of Education

FPA-Federal Polytechnic Ado

FUOYE-Federal University Oye

INDF- Indifferent




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Table1: which of these library routines generate income for your library?

VARABLES

ABUAD ESCOE FPA FUOYE ABUAD ESCOE FPA FUOYE IN DF

YES NO

F % F % F % F % F % F % F % F % F %

Book Loan 2 2.9 6 8.7 9 13 9 13 11 16 2 2.9 10 15 12 17.4 8 11.5

Reference

Services 1 1.5 3 4.4 6 8.7 12 17.4 12 17.4 4 5.8 13 18.8 15 21.7 9 13

Bindery Services 0 0 7 10 19 25.5 10 15 13 18.8 1 1.5 1 1.5 11 16 7 10

Indexing 0 0 4 5.8 7 10 12 17.4 13 18.8 3 4.4 12 17.4 9 13 9 13

Photocopying

Services 18 26 8 11.6 12 17.4 7 10 0 0 1 1.5 7 10 14 20.3 2 2.9

Library Fine 17 24.6 4 5.8 0 0 20 30 1 1.5 1 1.5 0 0 0 0 26 37.3

Selective

Dissemination of

information

4 5.8 4 5.8 6 8.7 6 8.7 15 21.7 4 5.8 13 18.8 15 21.7 8 11

From the table shown above the percentage of respondents that indicated that their

libraries do not generate income through book loan are higher than those who answer in

affirmative; for example sixteen percent (16%) from Afe Babalola University, thirteen

percent (13%) from Federal University Oye, and fifteen percent from Federal Polytechnic

Oye indicated that they do not generate income through book loan services while only

(2.9%) respondents from Afe Babalola University, (8.7%) from Ekiti State College of

Education, (13%) from Federal Polytechnic Ado and (13%) from Federal University Oye

indicated that they generated income through book loan services.

Most of the libraries do not generate income through reference services as (17.4%) of

the respondents from Federal University Oye, (5.8%) , Ekiti State College of Education

(18.8%) , Federal Polytechnic Ado and (21.7%) from Federal University Oye show that

they do not get income through reference services.

The table also shows that both Federal Polytechnic Ado and Ekiti State College of

Education generate income through bindery and photocopying services, another area where

Afe Babalola University and Federal University Oye generated income is through library

fine. The respondents from these libraries are (24.6%) and (30.0%) respectively.

Table 11: which of these multimedia services generate income for your library?

VARABLES


YES NO

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Photograph 3 4.4 4 5.8 14 20.3 9 13 10 14.5 4 5.8 5 7.3 12 17.4 8 11.5

Passport Photograph 0 0 4 5.8 15 21.7 1 1.5 13 18.8 4 5.8 4 5.8 20 29 8 11.5

Video Coverage 0 0 1 1.5 18 26.1 3 4.4 13 18.8 7 10 2 2.9 18 26.1 8 11.5

Public Address System 1 1.5 4 5.8 14 20.3 4 5.8 12 17.4 4 5.8 5 7.3 17 25 8 11.5

Typing & Printing of

Doc 1 1.5 6 8.7 5 7.3 8 11.6 12 17.4 8 11.6 14 20.3 13 18.8 7 10

CD/DVD Duplication 0 0 1 1.5 15 21.7 7 10 13 18.8 7 10 4 5.8 14 5.8 8 11.5

Federal Polytechnic Ado and Federal University Oye generate income through

photographic services while Afe Babalola University and Ekiti State College of Education do

not generate income through this means. 14 respondents from Federal Polytechnic Ado

representing (20.3%) and 9 respondents representing (13%) from Afe Babalola University

indicated that they were generating income through photography services. Other services

where Federal Polytechnic generates income include passport photograph, video coverage,

public address system and CD/DVD duplication. Other libraries do not generate income

through passport photograph services. This is in agreement with Drucker (1985) that asserts

that public service institutions find it difficult to be innovative.




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Table iii: Does your library solicit for grant from an individual or cooperate body?

VARABLES


YES NO

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Annual Grant

(Individual) 0 0 1 1.5 3 4.4 10 14.5 14 20.3 7 10 17 25 11 16 6 8.7

Grant (Cooperate

Bodies) 0 0 2 2.9 9 13 9 13 14 20.3 6 8.7 10 14.5 12 17.4 7 10

Bequest 7 10 4 5.8 5 7.3 11 16 7 10 4 5.8 14 20.3 10 14.5 6 8.7

Only 9 respondents from Federal Polytechnic Ado representing (13.0%) of the

population indicated that they solicited for funds from individuals while 7 respondents from

Afe babalola University representing (10.0%) of the population indicated that they get

materials or funds through bequest.

Table IV: Does your library generate income through any of these social services?

VARABLES

ABUAD ESCOE FPA FUOYE ABUAD ESCOE FPA FUOYE IN

DIFFF YES NO

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Hall Rentage 0 0 2 2.9 6 8.7 6 8.7 14 20.3 5 7.3 14 20.3 15 21.7 7 10

Training 0 0 2 2.9 2 2.9 7 10 14 20.3 5 7.3 18 26.1 14 20.3 7 10

Short Courses

for Library

Assistants

5 7.3 7 10 15 21.7 12 17.4 13 18.8 1 1.5 5 7.3 9 13 2 2.9

Libraries such as Federal Polytechnic Ado with 15 respondents representing (21.7%)

of the total population and Federal University Oye with 12 respondents representing (17.4%)

indicated that there were generating income through short courses for library assistants. Afe

Babalola University with (7.3%) and Ekiti State College of Education with (10.0%) generate

income through hall rentage services and training.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Only Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti library in Ekiti State generates income through

book loan services. None of the libraries generates income through reference services.

Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti State College of Education have commercialized

there bindery sevices and generated income through such. They also generate income through

photocopying services. Afe Babalola University and Federal University Oye Ekiti generate

income through library fines. Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Federal University Oye and

AfeBabalola university generate income through photography services but only Federal

Polytechnic Ado- Ekiti generates income through video coverage,hiring of public address

system and DVD/CD duplication. Afebabalola University gets some of their materials

through bequest. Federal Polytechnic has the highest parentage of generating income through

the provision of short courses for library assistants/attendants.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite of the fact that the budget of academic libraries continue to dwindle. Heads of

libraries pay little or no attention to the alternative ways of generating funds for their

libraries. The outcome of this paper has emphasized the negligence of the librarians with

regards to the generation of additional income to support the dwindled budget.




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RECOMMENDATIONS

In view of the findings in this paper, the following recommendations were made:

1. Academic libraries in Nigeria must as a matter of urgency think of innovative ways of

getting internally generated revenue.

2. Heads of libraries should quickly identify donors both within and outside Nigeria and

write such donors for possible assistance.

3. Academic library should select team for fund raising.

4. Academic libraries can bid for supply of books and other library materials in other

institutions whenever the opportunity presents itself.

5. Academic libraries should do user study of their environment outside their parent

institutions and provide services needed by people for a fee.

6. Academic libraries should organize fund raising events where influential people or

organizations in the communities can donate.

REFERENCES

1. Agu, C.N (2006) Pedagogy of Entrepreneurship in a Contemporary Society.

Entrepreneurship 8(1) P. 18-32.

2. Drunker, P (1985) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Practice and Principles. London

Pan Books. P.306

3. Ekankumo,B and Kemembaradikumo, N (2011) Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial

Education (EE).Strategy for Sustainable Development. Asia Journal of Business

Management. 3 (3) P. 198-199

4. Jegede, O.R, (2007) Principles and Practice of Library Studies. Nudex International

Company. P27

5. Radar B. et al.(1997) Creative Financing of Academic Libraries Academic Libraries

in Next Century. IFLANET 63rd

IFLA General Conference. Conference Program and

Proceedings- August 31st- September 1997. P.5-8

6. Shane, D (2003) General Theory of Entrepreneurship: The Individual Opportunity

Nexus. Edward Elgar Publication, USA.

7. Vymetal S (2002) The Information Professionals Role in Today’s World and

Conference Closing Note .p2-6.

8. Ejedafiru, Efe Francis (Cln) Toyo, David Oghenevwogaga, “Promoting

Entrepreneurship in Library and Information Science for Self-Reliance: Paradigm Shift

For Lis Graduates In Nigeria” International Journal of Library and Information Science

(IJLIS), Volume 4, Issue 1, 2013, pp. 70 - 77, ISSN Print: 2277 – 3533, ISSN Online:

2277 – 3584.

9. Dr.P.Muthumari, Dr.N.Tamilselvan, “Global Information Literacy In Academic

Library” International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), Volume 3,

Issue 2, 2014, pp. 18 - 23, ISSN Print: 2277 – 3533, ISSN Online: 2277 – 3584.

10. Janakiraman.A and Dr. N.Subramanian, “Utilization of Ict In R & D Institutions

Libraries In Chennai: A Pilot Study” International Journal of Library and Information

Science (IJLIS), Volume 3, Issue 2, 2014, pp. 1 - 9, ISSN Print: 2277 – 3533, ISSN

Online: 2277 – 3584.

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An Emperical Study of Entrepreneurship in Academic Libraries a Case Study of Some Selected Institutions in Ekiti State