Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Summer 7-12-2023
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study researched on assessment of implementation of library school curriculum benchmark on library and information services to people with special needs in South-South and South-East universities in Nigeria. 3 research questions and 2 hypotheses guided the study. The study population covered 258 lecturers in the selected 25 universities in South-South and South-East, Nigeria. 181 lecturers in the universities representing 70% of the population served as sample respondents. Convenience sampling technique was used for the study. A 15-item questionnaire titled: AILSCBLISPSNQ and a checklist indicating universities that have or have not implemented LISPSN was used for data collection. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to obtain 0.76 reliability. Mean scores and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the z-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. A checklist was used to identify universities that have or have not implemented LISPSN. The result revealed that, the number of universities that have implemented LISPSN are 14 out of 25 universities which is 50%, while universities not yet implemented are 11 which is about 50%. In addition, universities in the South-East are more associated with non-implementation of LISPSN compared to those in the South-South. More so, the challenges encountered to implement LISPSN are the weak technological infrastructure, inadequate assistive equipment, funding insufficiency and inadequate expertise. Meanwhile, the danger of poor implementation of LISPSN is that, the behavioural display of untrained librarians can lead to discriminatory practices meted on individuals with special needs. Non-implementation of LISPSN introduces untold dejections among individuals with special needs and affect the utilization of their potentials and capabilities. It was recommended that, Government at all levels should deem it necessary to collaborate with university management to pay practical attention to materials and facilities in the libraries by making provisions that would help in the implementation of LISPSN programme to encourage individuals with special needs to achieve their academic dreams and to make lecturers active in discharging their teaching profession.