Abstract

 The main purpose of the study was to determine strategies to reposition academic and research libraries for national integration and development. To achieve this, five research objectives were drawn, as follows: to examine the library environment of academic and research libraries in information provision for national integration and development; to ascertain the resources available in the libraries for information provision for national integration and development; to ascertain the personnel characteristics of academic and research libraries in information provision for national integration and development; to investigate challenges faced by the libraries in information provision for national integration and development and to suggest strategies to enhance information provision in the libraries for national integration and development. The study adopted descriptive survey design while the scope of study covers the nine academic libraries in Abia State. The population and sample size comprised all the 64 core library staff, made up of librarians and library officers. The data collection instrument was a 4-point Likert scale type questionnaire. Out of the 64'opies of the questionnaire administered, 58 (91%) were completed, returned and used for the analyses. Data were presented in tables and analyzed using the Criterion mean value of 2.50. Findings of the study revealed that the environments of academic libraries in Abia State are suitable for information provision; available resources: textbooks, reference books and serials, e-resources are inadequate. The study also revealed inadequate skills and competencies of staff, owing to passive LIS practitioners, poor information literacy skills, lack of user knowledge etc. The study therefore recommends improved funding, training and retraining of library staff, provision of adequate and functional /CT facilities among others as strategies for re-positioning academic and research libraries for information provision for national integration and development.

Key words: Academic libraries, research libraries, national integration, national development