ABSTRACT

This study investigated the acquisition of serials in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Library. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The target population was staff of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Library who were sixtynine (69) in number as at the time of survey. There is neither sampling technique nor sample size as the research adopted a complete census using the total population to serve as respondents. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. A total of 61(88. 4%) of the 69 questionnaires administered were returned. Descriptive statistics consisting of frequency tables, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to analyze data collected for the study using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings of the study reveals that purchase (subscription) (3.80 mean score), gift/ donations (3.51 mean score), and photocopying (2.64 mean score) were the main methods of acquiring serials. The foremost type of serials acquired by the library includes journals (3.85 mean score), newspapers (3.62 mean score), magazines (3.16 mean score), bulletins (3.15 mean score), reports (3.02 mean score), yearbooks (2.95 mean score) and proceedings (2.80 mean score). On the other hand, the mean scores for memoirs (2.49) and e-journals (2.1) were not the criterion mean which suggests that they are not acquired in sufficient number/volume. The main importance and use of serials is to provide original, undiluted and up-to-date information for research (3.57 mean score). High cost of serials (3.51 mean score) was the chief problem of acquiring serials. The study also affirmed that the major way to curb the problems in acquisition of serials is adequate allocation of funds for serials subscription. Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations were made including proper funding of serials management, employment of more serials librarians, and creation of serials management policy.