Librarians beyond books: Supporting the accreditation process in Nigerian universities

Abstract

This study examined the role of librarians in supporting the accreditation process of Nigerian universities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 250 librarians from federal universities in the South-South and South-West regions of Nigeria, and a census sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using an online questionnaire, of which 223 valid responses were retrieved and analyzed. The findings revealed that librarians are key contributors to the accreditation process, performing essential roles such as preparing accreditation documents and reports, ensuring that library collections meet required standards, and collaborating with academic staff to support accreditation requirements. The study also found that accreditation has a positive impact on library development, particularly in terms of resources, services, and facilities. Furthermore, librarians perceived the accreditation process as beneficial, as it provides opportunities for institutional recognition, improved infrastructure, enhanced information resources, and increased collaboration. However, several challenges were identified, including the late involvement of librarians in accreditation planning and inadequate funding for the acquisition of information resources and subscriptions to online databases. The hypothesis test revealed that librarians’ involvement in the accreditation process significantly influenced library services and resource provision in universities. It is therefore recommended that librarians be involved early in the accreditation process to facilitate effective planning, and that adequate funding be provided to support resource acquisition and database subscriptions.