Marketing of Library Services for Enhanced Accessibility in National Open University of Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies for Intervention

Authors

Loveth Ogoegbunam Ekwueme Ph. D, Enugu Study Centre, National Open University of NigeriaFollow
Promise Ifeoma Ilo Ph.D, Covenant University Ota NigeriaFollow

Date of this Version

1-12-2019

Document Type

Article

Citation

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Abstract

This study is a descriptive survey on challenges and enhancement strategies for the marketing of library services for improved accessibility to students of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Three specific objectives, three research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. Population for the study consists of 15 librarians from the six study centres libraries in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The study used a questionnaire and interview to collect data from 15 librarians in the six study centre libraries in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation and hypotheses were tested using ANOVA statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that there is no significant difference in the mean responses of librarians on strategies and methods employed in the various study centre libraries of NOUN for improved accessibility of the library services to their students. The results identified some of the challenges in the marketing of library services for improved access for students in the libraries studied to include; inadequate funding, lack of marketing plan, unavailability of online public access catalogue and negative attitude of librarians and library staff towards marketing. The enhancement strategies for marketing of library services for improved accessibility to these students include carrying out marketing research to determine the needs of Users; allowing library management control over students library fees, organizing workshops and training for librarians and library staff on marketing principles and procedures.